Gregory Boyington, a United States Marine Corps fighter ace during World War II, gained recognition for his command of the Black Sheep Squadron and his extensive combat record in the South Pacific. His military career encompassed diverse roles, from serving with the American Volunteer Group in Burma to enduring over eighteen months as a prisoner of war following his capture in 1944.
Early Life and Education
Born on December 4, 1912, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Boyington spent his early childhood in St. Maries. A graduate of Lincoln High School, he later attended the University of Washington, where he participated in wrestling and swimming. He earned a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering in 1934. His early work experience included labor in mining and logging camps before he moved into drafting and engineering for Boeing.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Military Service and the Flying Tigers
Commissioned in the U.S. Army Coast Artillery Reserve in 1934, Boyington transitioned to the Marine Corps Reserve by 1935. He earned his designation as a naval aviator in 1937. In 1941, he resigned his commission to join the American Volunteer Group, or Flying Tigers, serving in China and Burma. He returned to the Marine Corps in September 1942, receiving a commission as a major.
Combat Command and Imprisonment
In September 1943, Boyington assumed command of Marine Fighter Squadron 214, the Black Sheep Squadron. Flying the F4U Corsair, he achieved significant combat success in the South Pacific, reaching 25 confirmed aerial victories by December 1943. In January 1944, his aircraft was shot down, and he was captured by a Japanese submarine crew, remaining a prisoner of war until the surrender of Japan.
Legacy and Post-War Recognition
Following the war, Boyington was honored with the Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross, and the Purple Heart. His wartime experiences served as the inspiration for the television series Baa Baa Black Sheep, which aired in the 1970s. Boyington was later inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2019. He died in 1988 in Fresno and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1912, Coeur d'Alene
- Died: 1988, Fresno
- Military Rank: Colonel
- Education: University of Washington
- Primary Aircraft: Vought F4U Corsair
- Military Branch: United States Marine Corps
- Burial Site: Arlington National Cemetery
- Awards: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Purple Heart
Questions readers ask
Why was he called Pappy?
At 31, he was older than the majority of the pilots under his command, earning him the nickname Gramps, which later evolved into Pappy.
What was his role in the Flying Tigers?
He served as a flight leader for the American Volunteer Group, defending China and the Burma Road during the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Achievements
- Medal of Honor
- Purple Heart
- Navy Cross
- National Aviation Hall of Fame
- Recorded as military officer, aircraft pilot and autobiographer