"Pappy"
Major Greg Boyington was the enigmatic
leader of Marine Squadron VMF-214
during World War Two. VMF-214 adopted
the name "Black Sheep" squadron
because it was originally comprised of
unassigned pilots. Many Black Sheep
pilots called Boyington "Gramps", but
somehow the nickname "Pappy" was
introduced, and once the press and
American public heard it, the moniker
stuck. When Pappy was "encouraged"
to leave the Marine Corps early in his
career, he joined the American Volunteer
Group (A.V.G.) a.k.a. The Flying Tigers.
After serving with that group in China
briefly, he quit and returned to the U.S. to
try to fly with the Marines again. Pappy
was initially given command of Marine
Squadron VMF-122 at Guadalcanal. Then,
on Sept 7, 1943, under Pappy's
command, VMF-214 officially began it's
first combat tour at Munda, on the island
of New Georgia. He led this squadron on
two successful tours until he was shot
down in January of 1944. Pappy
Boyington was an aggressive and
competitive individual and often liked to
challenge others to a wrestling match or
some other form of competition. He
smoked a lot of cigarettes, and
sometimes drank to excess and for a
good part of his life he struggled with the
consequences of these vices. Black
Sheep pilots respected Pappy's natural
ability as a fighter pilot and felt confident
when they flew into combat with him. In
the air he seemed to possess an uncanny
sense of timing and his situational
awareness gave him a great advantage in
dogfights. He was officially credited with
26 aerial victories and was awarded the
Medal Of Honor. He was shot down on
January 3rd, 1944 in an uneven battle
against numerous Mitsubishi Zero
fighters and he spent the remainder of
the war in a Japanese prison camp. After
the war, his fortunes swung from high to
low and back again, but he seemed to
always land on his feet, ready for another
fight. In 1976 Hollywood made a
television series about Pappy and
VMF-214 called "Black Sheep Squadron"
which aired 36 episodes. He was loved
by many, disliked by some, but respected
by all who knew him, including his
Japanese captors, who afforded him the
privileges reserved for honorable
warriors. He was an individualist, yet he
cared deeply for the men who served
with him. He was one of the most
unconventional Marines in the Corps, a
distinction that earned him yet another
title - "Black Sheep One". Greg
Boyington passed away on January 11,
1988 at the age of seventy-five. What
makes him so memorable is not so much
his 26 combat victories, but his character
and his brash approach to life. He was
daring, stubbornly independent, and
beautifully defiant. He embodied many of
the ideals that have made America's
history so rich and unique. He is truly
unforgettable.
leader of Marine Squadron VMF-214
during World War Two. VMF-214 adopted
the name "Black Sheep" squadron
because it was originally comprised of
unassigned pilots. Many Black Sheep
pilots called Boyington "Gramps", but
somehow the nickname "Pappy" was
introduced, and once the press and
American public heard it, the moniker
stuck. When Pappy was "encouraged"
to leave the Marine Corps early in his
career, he joined the American Volunteer
Group (A.V.G.) a.k.a. The Flying Tigers.
After serving with that group in China
briefly, he quit and returned to the U.S. to
try to fly with the Marines again. Pappy
was initially given command of Marine
Squadron VMF-122 at Guadalcanal. Then,
on Sept 7, 1943, under Pappy's
command, VMF-214 officially began it's
first combat tour at Munda, on the island
of New Georgia. He led this squadron on
two successful tours until he was shot
down in January of 1944. Pappy
Boyington was an aggressive and
competitive individual and often liked to
challenge others to a wrestling match or
some other form of competition. He
smoked a lot of cigarettes, and
sometimes drank to excess and for a
good part of his life he struggled with the
consequences of these vices. Black
Sheep pilots respected Pappy's natural
ability as a fighter pilot and felt confident
when they flew into combat with him. In
the air he seemed to possess an uncanny
sense of timing and his situational
awareness gave him a great advantage in
dogfights. He was officially credited with
26 aerial victories and was awarded the
Medal Of Honor. He was shot down on
January 3rd, 1944 in an uneven battle
against numerous Mitsubishi Zero
fighters and he spent the remainder of
the war in a Japanese prison camp. After
the war, his fortunes swung from high to
low and back again, but he seemed to
always land on his feet, ready for another
fight. In 1976 Hollywood made a
television series about Pappy and
VMF-214 called "Black Sheep Squadron"
which aired 36 episodes. He was loved
by many, disliked by some, but respected
by all who knew him, including his
Japanese captors, who afforded him the
privileges reserved for honorable
warriors. He was an individualist, yet he
cared deeply for the men who served
with him. He was one of the most
unconventional Marines in the Corps, a
distinction that earned him yet another
title - "Black Sheep One". Greg
Boyington passed away on January 11,
1988 at the age of seventy-five. What
makes him so memorable is not so much
his 26 combat victories, but his character
and his brash approach to life. He was
daring, stubbornly independent, and
beautifully defiant. He embodied many of
the ideals that have made America's
history so rich and unique. He is truly
unforgettable.
L/E of 400 prints
23 X 31 inches
Signed by: Up to eleven Black Sheep pilots and the
artist
$225.00 Remarque: add $75.00
23 X 31 inches
Signed by: Up to eleven Black Sheep pilots and the
artist
$225.00 Remarque: add $75.00
Here at Ozark Airfield Artworks we offer a large selection art prints. These prints
mainly depict modern and historic aviation along with military, civil and space flight. We
also deal with naval subjects and military armor and infantry works. These prints are
from all the top national and international artists along with some local artists. Many of
our prints are signed by the artist and by famous pilots and veterans. If you are looking
for a specific plane, pilot, artist or subject please contact us.
mainly depict modern and historic aviation along with military, civil and space flight. We
also deal with naval subjects and military armor and infantry works. These prints are
from all the top national and international artists along with some local artists. Many of
our prints are signed by the artist and by famous pilots and veterans. If you are looking
for a specific plane, pilot, artist or subject please contact us.
Copyright © Ozark Airfield Artworks 2005 All Rights Reserved
All images are copyrighted by the individual artist and may not be
reproduced without their consent.
reproduced without their consent.
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