Pappy Boyington

{{Short description|United States Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient (1912–1988)}} {{Infobox military person |name= Pappy Boyington |image= Pappy Boyington.jpg |image_size= |alt= |caption= Major Gregory "Pappy" Boyington during World War II |nickname= "Pappy", "Gramps" |birth_name= Gregory Boyington |other_name= Gregory Hallenbeck |birth_date= {{Birth date|1912|12|4}} |birth_place= Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, United States |death_date= {{Death date and age|1988|1|11|1912|12|4}} |death_place= Fresno, California, United States |burial_place= Arlington National Cemetery |allegiance= {{plainlist| * United States * China}} |branch= {{plainlist| * United States Marine Corps * Republic of China Air Force}} |service_years= 1934–1947 |rank= Colonel |unit= |commands= {{plainlist| * VMF-122 * VMF-112 * VMF-214}} |battles= {{plainlist| * Second Sino-Japanese War * World War II}} * Solomon Islands campaign |awards={{plainlist| * Medal of Honor * Navy Cross * Purple Heart }} |relations= |other_work= Boeing – draftsman and engineer }}

'''Gregory''' "'''Pappy'''" '''Boyington''' (December 4, 1912 – January 11, 1988) was an American combat pilot who was a United States Marine Corps fighter ace during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. A Marine aviator with the Pacific fleet in 1941, Boyington joined the "Flying Tigers" (1st American Volunteer Group) of the Republic of China Air Force and saw combat in Burma in late 1941 and 1942 during the Second Sino-Japanese War.

In September 1942, Boyington rejoined the Marine Corps. In early 1943, he deployed to the South Pacific and began flying combat missions in the F4U Corsair fighter. On August 14, 1943, he took command of Marine fighter squadron VMF-214 ("Black Sheep").

In January 1944, Boyington, outnumbered by Japanese "Zero" planes, was shot down into the Pacific Ocean after downing one of the enemy planes. He was captured by a Japanese submarine crew and was held as a prisoner of war for more than a year and a half. He was released shortly after the surrender of Japan.

The television series ''Baa Baa Black Sheep'' was inspired by Boyington and his men in the "Black Sheep" squadron. It ran for two seasons in the late 1970s.

==Early life== Born on December 4, 1912, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho,<ref name="Whoswho">{{cite web|access-date=2007-10-21|url=http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/Boyington_G.htm|title=Colonel Gregory Boyington, USMCR|work=Who's Who in Marine Corps History|publisher=History Division, United States Marine Corps|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615072415/http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/Boyington_G.htm|archive-date=2011-06-15|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=pbisillde>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jL5YAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DukDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7097%2C386850 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington|last=Muir|first=Florabel|agency=(New York News)|title=Pappy Boiyngton is ill, destitute|date=July 16, 1967|page=12}}</ref> he moved with his family to the logging town of St. Maries at age three and lived there until age 12.<ref name=mmamffwo>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-LQWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AyMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3979%2C3486773|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal|agency=Associated Press|last=Geissler|first=Jessie|title=Missing Marine ace made first flight when only 8|date=January 10, 1944|access-date=October 9, 2015|archive-date=April 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413003430/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-LQWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AyMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3979%2C3486773|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was of Brulé Sioux descent.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/a-native-american-war-memorial-is-coming-to-washington-here-are-six-native-veterans-youve-never-heard-about/2019/03/27/aae6d23e-4fe6-11e9-8d28-f5149e5a2fda_story.html |title=A Native American war memorial is coming to Washington. Here are six Native veterans you've never heard about. |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=2019-03-31 |accessdate=2022-06-11}}</ref> He then lived in Tacoma, Washington, where he was a wrestler at Lincoln High School.<ref name=Whoswho/> He took his first flight at St. Maries when he was six years old, with Clyde Pangborn,<ref name=jinx26>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mBwaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DyMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3265%2C2266189|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal|last=Price|first=Bem|agency=(U.S. Marine Corps)|title=Who'll break the 26 jinx, shoot down more planes?|date=February 22, 1944|access-date=October 9, 2015|archive-date=April 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412190729/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mBwaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DyMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3265%2C2266189|url-status=dead}}</ref> who later became the first pilot to fly over the Pacific Ocean non-stop.<ref name=Whoswho/>

After graduation from high school in 1930, Boyington attended the University of Washington in Seattle, where he was a member of the Army ROTC and joined the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.<ref name=Whoswho/> He was on the Husky wrestling and swimming teams, and for a time he held the Pacific Northwest Intercollegiate middleweight wrestling title. He spent his summers working in Washington in a mining camp and at a logging camp and with the Coeur d'Alene Fire Protective Association in road construction. He graduated in 1934 with a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering. Boyington married shortly after graduation and worked as a draftsman and engineer for Boeing in Seattle.<ref name=Whoswho/>

==Military career== Boyington began his military training in college as a member of Army ROTC and became a cadet captain. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Coast Artillery Reserve in June 1934, and then served two months of active duty with the 630th Coast Artillery at Fort Worden, Washington.{{citation needed|date=March 2017}} In the spring of 1935, he applied for flight training under the Aviation Cadet Act, but he discovered that it excluded married men.<ref>{{cite book|title=Black Sheep One: The Life of Gregory "Pappy" Boyington|author=Gamble, Bruce|page=49}}</ref> Boyington had grown up as Gregory Hallenbeck, and assumed his stepfather, Ellsworth J. Hallenbeck, was his father.<ref name="pbisillde" /><ref name="pmvicty">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1tpXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=kPUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6304%2C3359432|title=Pappy's mother visitor in city|date=November 17, 1945|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|location=Washington|page=3}}</ref><ref name="apbda75">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WoROAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5voDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6885%2C1220377|title=Ace 'Pappy' Boyington dies at 75|date=January 11, 1988|newspaper=Spokane Chronicle|location=Washington|page=C5}}</ref> When he obtained a copy of his birth certificate, he learned that his father was actually Charles Boyington, a dentist, and that his parents had divorced when he was an infant.<ref name="mmamffwo" /> As no record was found of any Gregory Boyington ever being married, he enrolled as a U.S. Marine Corps aviation cadet using that name.<ref>{{cite book|title=Black Sheep One: The Life of Gregory "Pappy" Boyington|author=Gamble, Bruce|page=51}}</ref>

===United States Marine Corps=== On June 13, 1935, he transferred to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. He returned to inactive duty on July 16.<ref name=Whoswho/> On February 18, 1936, Boyington accepted an appointment as an aviation cadet in the Marine Corps Reserve. He was assigned to Naval Air Station Pensacola for flight training. Boyington was designated a naval aviator on March 11, 1937, then transferred to Marine Corps Base Quantico for duty with Aircraft One, Fleet Marine Force. He was discharged from the Marine Corps Reserve on July 1, 1937, to accept a second lieutenant's commission in the Marine Corps the following day.<ref name=Whoswho/> Boyington attended The Basic School in Philadelphia from July 1938 to January 1939. On completion of the course, he was assigned to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Group at the San Diego Naval Air Station. He took part in fleet problems off the aircraft carriers {{USS|Lexington|CV-2|6}} and {{USS|Yorktown|CV-5|6}}. Promoted to first lieutenant on November 4, 1940, Boyington returned to Pensacola as an instructor in December.<ref name="Whoswho" />

===Flying Tigers=== While serving as an instructor at Pensacola, Boyington punched another officer during a disagreement, and was informed by his superiors that he likely faced a court-martial.

At this time, representatives looking for volunteer fighter pilots to fight in China visited Pensacola. Boyington quickly resigned his commission in the Marine Corps on August 26, 1941, to accept a position with the Central Aircraft Manufacturing Company, which was a civilian firm that contracted to staff a Special Air Unit to defend China and the Burma Road. This later became known as the American Volunteer Group, the famed Flying Tigers in Burma.

During his time with the Tigers, Boyington became a flight leader. He was frequently in trouble with the commander of the outfit, Claire Chennault, and reportedly was disliked and distrusted by the other pilots in the organization, who considered Boyington a "liar and a drunk".

Boyington was officially credited with two Japanese aircraft destroyed in the air and one and a half on the ground. Boyington always claimed that he shot down six in the air, a claim accepted by the Marine Corps.<ref name="ReferenceA">Greggoy Boyington, ''Baa Baa Black Sheep.''</ref><ref name="Wokuvits, John F. 2011">Wokuvits, John F. (2011). ''Black Sheep: The Life of Pappy Boyington. Annapolis'', MD: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-59114-977-0</ref>

In April 1942, he broke his contract with the American Volunteer Group and returned on his own to the United States.<ref>Edwards, Ted, ''Seven at Santa Cruz'', Naval Institute Press, 2018, pp. 180-181</ref> thumb|left|(Lower left) Boyington with pilots of VMF-122 (Not VMF-214, see designation of life vest in center)

thumb|left|Vought F4U-1A Corsair, BuNo 17883, of Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, the commander of VMF-214, Vella Lavella, end of 1943

===Return to the Marine Corps=== On September 29, 1942, he rejoined the Marine Corps and took a major's commission.<ref name=Whoswho/> The Marine Corps needed experienced combat pilots, and in early 1943, he was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11 of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and deployed to the South Pacific as executive officer of Marine Fighter Squadron 122 (VMF-122) operating from Guadalcanal until April 1943. While assigned to VMF-122, Boyington shot down no enemy aircraft. From July to August 1943, he commanded Marine Fighter Squadron 112. In September 1943, he became commanding officer of Marine Fighter Squadron 214 (VMF-214), better known by its nickname, the "Black Sheep Squadron".<ref name="Whoswho" />

Boyington received the nickname "Gramps", because at age 31, he was a decade older than most of the Marines serving under him. The name "Gramps" was changed to "Pappy" in a variation on "The Whiffenpoof Song", whose new lyrics had been written by Paul "Moon" Mullen, one of his pilots, and this version was picked up by war correspondents.<ref name="Whoswho" /> Boyington is best known for his exploits in the Vought F4U Corsair in VMF-214. During periods of intense activity in the Russell Islands-New Georgia and Bougainville-New Britain-New Ireland areas, he shot down 14 enemy fighter planes in 32 days. By December 27, 1943, his record had climbed to 25.<ref name="Whoswho" />

A typical feat was his attack on Kahili airdrome at the southern tip of Bougainville on October 17, 1943. Boyington and 24 fighters circled the field, where 60 hostile aircraft were based, goading the enemy into sending up a large force. In the fierce battle that followed, 20 enemy aircraft were shot down, while the Black Sheep returned to their base without loss.<ref name="Whoswho" /> Boyington's squadron, flying from the island of Vella Lavella, offered to down a Japanese Zero for every baseball cap sent to them by major league players in the World Series. They received 20 caps and shot down more than that number of enemy aircraft.{{citation needed|date=March 2017}}

On January 3, 1944, he beat World War I ace Eddie Rickenbacker's record of 26 enemy planes destroyed, before Boyington was shot down, though his last two kills for a total of 28 were confirmed after his return.<ref name="jinx26" /><ref name="mbmia">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OKcLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FVUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6415%2C1070757 |newspaper=The Evening Independent|location=St. Petersburg, Florida|agency=Associated Press|title=Major Boyington, Marine air hero, missing in action|date=January 7, 1944|page=9}}</ref><ref name="bsalrop">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=66YkAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uGkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2147%2C826249|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|agency=Associated Press|last=Hampson|first=Fred|title=Boyington still alive, rumor over Pacific|date=May 23, 1944|page=5}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="Wokuvits, John F. 2011"/><ref>Katie Lange, Medal of Honor Monday: Marine Corps Col. Gregory Boyington Oct. 18, 2021. https://www.war.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/2808842/medal-of-honor-monday-marine-corps-col-gregory-boyington/</ref> On that mission, 48 American fighters, including four planes from the Black Sheep Squadron (plus planes from VF-33 and VMF-211), were sent on a sweep over Rabaul. Boyington was tactical commander of the flight and arrived over the target at 8:00 am. He was seen to shoot down his 26th plane, but he then became mixed in the general melee of dogfighting planes and was not seen or heard from during the battle, nor did he return with his squadron. Boyington's wingman, Captain George Ashmun, was killed in action.<ref name="Whoswho" /> In later years, Masajiro "Mike" Kawato claimed to have been the pilot who shot down Boyington. He described the combat in two books and numerous public appearances (often with Boyington), but this claim was eventually "disproven", though Kawato repeated his story until his death. Kawato was present during the action in which Boyington was shot down, as one of 70 Japanese fighters that engaged about 30 American fighters.<ref>[http://www.warbirdforum.com/kawato.htm "Kawato Masajiro: The man who didn't shoot down Pappy Boyington"], warbirdforum.com; retrieved April 11, 2006.</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Jenks |first1=Jayson |title=Enemy World War II fighter pilots told a tale of peril and reconciliation. Then there was the truth. |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/enemy-world-war-ii-fighter-pilots-told-a-gripping-tale-of-peril-and-reconciliation-and-then-there-was-the-truth/ |access-date=January 31, 2019 |work=The Seattle Times |date=February 22, 2018}}</ref> The IJN Forces were the 204th Kōkūtai and 253d Kōkūtai (Naval Aviation Group Formations). The 204th Kōkūtai losses are unknown; however the 253d Kōkūtai reported 1 Zero shot down and Pilot slightly injured.<ref>[https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=65&p=2496091#p2496091 Axis Forum 3 January 1944]</ref>

===Prisoner of war=== Following a determined but futile search, Boyington was declared missing in action<!-- (MIA) -->.<ref name=bsalrop/> He had been picked up on 3 January 1944 by the Imperial Japanese Navy submarine {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-181||2}} and taken to Rabaul,<ref name=combinedfleetI181>{{cite web |url= http://www.combinedfleet.com/I-181.htm |title=IJN Submarine I-181: Tabular Record of Movement |first1=Bob |last1=Hackett |first2=Sander |last2=Kingsepp |work=combinedfleet.com |date=1 March 2016|access-date=17 June 2022}}</ref> becoming a prisoner of war. (''I-181'' was sunk 13 days after picking him up.<ref name=combinedfleetI181/>) According to Boyington's autobiography, he was never accorded official POW status by the Japanese, and his captivity was not reported to the Red Cross.<ref name=bmaralijp>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DhwKAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rUoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4203%2C4464174 |newspaper=Ellensburg Daily Record|agency=Associated Press|title=Boyington, Marine ace, reported alive in Japan|date=August 29, 1945|page=1}}</ref>

He spent the rest of the war, some 20 months, in Japanese prison camps. After being held temporarily at Rabaul and then Truk, where he survived the massive U.S. Navy raid known as "Operation Hailstone", he was transported first to Ōfuna and finally to Ōmori Prison Camp near Tokyo. During that time, he was selected for temporary promotion to the rank of lieutenant colonel. A fellow American prisoner of war was Medal of Honor recipient submarine Captain Richard O'Kane.<ref name=Whoswho/> At Ōfuna, Boyington was interned with the former Olympic distance runner and downed aviator Lieutenant Louis Zamperini.<ref>As recounted by Boyington in his book ''Baa Baa, Black Sheep''.</ref>

On August 29, 1945,<ref name=bmaralijp/> after the atomic bombs and the Japanese capitulation, Boyington was liberated from Japanese custody at Omori Prison Camp. Boyington returned to the United States at Naval Air Station Alameda on September 12, 1945, where he was met by 21 former squadron members from VMF-214.<ref name=bwbhbsp/><ref name=pbmogohr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wSVSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qXcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6975%2C1122902 |newspaper=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |agency=Associated Press |title='Pappy' Boyington meets old gang on his return |date=September 12, 1945 |page=5 }}</ref> That night, a party for him was held at the St. Francis Hotel in downtown San Francisco that was covered by ''LIFE'' in its issue October 1, 1945. The coverage of the party marked the first time that the magazine had ever shown people consuming alcohol.<ref>Reed, ''Lost Black Sheep'', p.86-7.</ref> Prior to his arrival, on September 6, he accepted his temporary lieutenant colonel's commission in the Marine Corps.<ref name=Whoswho/>

===Postwar=== thumb|Boyington shortly after receiving the Medal of Honor Shortly after his return to the U.S., as a lieutenant colonel,<ref name=bwbhbsp>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5tZYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jvUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4938%2C2071347|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|location=Spokane, Washington|title=Boyington welcomed by his "Black Sheep"|agency=United Press|date=September 12, 1945|page=1}}</ref><ref name=okhlslh>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wipWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=o-QDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6156%2C5857309|newspaper=Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington|title=Okanogan crowd hails Boyington|last=Starmont|first=Leon|date=September 24, 1945|page=1}}</ref> Boyington was ordered to Washington, DC, to receive the nation's highest military honor—the Medal of Honor—from the president. The medal had been awarded by the late President Franklin&nbsp;D. Roosevelt in March 1944 and held in the capital until such time as he could receive it. On October 4, 1945, Boyington received the Navy Cross from the Commandant of the Marine Corps for the Rabaul raid. On October 5, "Nimitz Day", some other sailors, marines, and he who were also awarded the Medal of Honor were presented their medals at the White House by President Harry&nbsp;S Truman.<ref name=Whoswho/>

Following the receipt of his Medal of Honor and Navy Cross, Boyington made a Victory Bond tour. Originally ordered to the Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, he was later directed to report to the commanding general, Marine Air West Coast, Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar, San Diego, California. He retired from the Marine Corps on August 1, 1947, and because he was specially commended for the performance of duty in actual combat, he was promoted to colonel.<ref name=Whoswho/>

==Later life== Boyington was a tough, hard-living character known for being unorthodox. He was also a heavy drinker, which plagued him in the years after the war and possibly contributed to his multiple divorces. He freely admitted that during the two years he spent as a POW his health improved because of the enforced sobriety. He worked various civilian jobs, including refereeing and participating in professional wrestling matches.<ref name=Whoswho/>

===Author=== Boyington wrote his autobiography, ''Baa Baa, Black Sheep'', published in 1958.<ref name=birkpbmp>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NvdPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=VVUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7564%2C139701|newspaper=Evening Independent|location=St. Petersburg, Florida|last=Cannel|first=Ward|agency=NEA|title=Brass irk Pappy Boyington, famed Marine pilot of war|date=October 2, 1958|page=3A}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |first = Gregory |last = Boyington |title = Baa baa, black sheep |location = New York |publisher = Bantam Books |year = 1990 |orig-year = 1958 |isbn = 978-0686111092 |oclc = 2124961}}</ref> He wrote a novel about the American Volunteer Group, ''Tonya'', a spy story with characters based on real individuals. Some of the character names were derived by transposing the syllables of the names of the people who inspired them ("Ross Dicky" for Dick Rossi, for example).<ref name=Whoswho/><ref>{{cite book|author=Boyington, Colonel Gregory|title=Tonya: A Novel|publisher=The Bobbs-Merrill Company, Inc.|date=1960|edition=First|asin=B00225DQ20}}</ref>

===TV series=== Many people know of him from the late 1970s television show ''Baa Baa Black Sheep'', a drama about the Black Sheep squadron based very loosely on Boyington's memoir, with Boyington portrayed by Robert Conrad.<ref name=apbhonsr>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oBwiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MGcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6845%2C3617103|newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|location=Sarasota, Florida|agency=UPI|title=Ace 'Pappy' Boyington hero of new series|date=April 25, 1976|page=5B}}</ref><ref name=bshdwb>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=f8swAAAAIBAJ&sjid=nQUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6939%2C3647492|newspaper=Ocala Star-Banner|location=Ocala, Florida|agency=Associated Press|title=Black Sheep doing well: Boyington|date=December 15, 1976|page=8B}}</ref> Boyington had a short walk-on role as a visiting general for two episodes in the first season ("The Deadliest Enemy of All: Part 2" and "The Fastest Gun") and one episode in the second season ("Ten'll Get You Five") of the show.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.orgsites.com/ny/port-jefferson-station-marines/MCVNewsletter2015_05.pdf |title=Heroes of the Marine Corps|website=Marine Corps Veterans Newsletter|date=May 2015 |access-date=2018-12-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917080722/http://www.orgsites.com/ny/port-jefferson-station-marines/MCVNewsletter2015_05.pdf |archive-date=2017-09-17 |url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

Many of Boyington's men were irate over the show, charging it was mostly fiction and presented a glamorized portrayal of Boyington. On the television show, Boyington was depicted as owning a Bull Terrier dog, named "Meatball", although Boyington did not own a dog while deployed in the South Pacific Theater. Boyington frequently told interviewers and audiences that the television series was fiction and only slightly related to fact, calling it "hogwash and Hollywood hokum".<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Bates, Tom|title=Black Sheep of the South Pacific|magazine=SOF's Action Series|volume= II|number=6: Valor|date=December 1986|publisher= Omega Group, Ltd.|pages=56–57}}</ref>

===Publicity=== {{More citations needed section|date=April 2023}} While paintings and publicity photographs often show Boyington with aircraft number 86 ''LuluBelle'' covered in victory flags, he had not flown this in combat. In fact, he rarely flew the same aircraft more than a few times. Reportedly, he would choose the F4U in the worst shape, so that none of his pilots would be afraid to fly their own aircraft.<ref name=Whoswho/> A publicity photo taken of Boyington in F4U-1A Corsair number 86 was taken at Espiritu Santo (code named BUTTON), in the New Hebrides on 26 November 1943. It was taken while VMA-214 was on leave between their first and second combat tours with Boyington as the commanding officer. Though Boyington claimed after the war that the name of the plane was ''LuluBelle'', according to Bruce Gamble's analysis, it was most likely called ''LucyBelle''.<ref name="Whoswho" />

Boyington was part of the 1981 Black Sheep reunion in Washington, DC, hosted by the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum. Reunion planning was initiated by Boyington's namesake Gregory Tucker, son of Black Sheep pilot Burney Tucker. The reunion was scheduled to coincide with the dedication of a restored F4U-1 Corsair exhibit. The dedication program was attended by 18 Black Sheep veterans, museum dignitaries, and astronaut Michael Collins representing the Ling-Temco-Vought Company (successor to Corsair manufacturer Vought). The program included a banquet recognizing all of the Black Sheep veterans. At the request of museum personnel, Boyington climbed into the cockpit for pictures, confirmed the accuracy of the cockpit restoration, and answered a question from a young fan: "Yeah, I could fly it today, if it was airworthy." He autographed the Corsair with a marker pen in one of the landing gear wells, saying, in effect, that it was a Corsair in the best condition he had ever seen. The Corsair hangs from the ceiling at the museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles Airport in Chantilly, Virginia.

In 1957, he appeared as a guest contestant on the television panel show ''To Tell the Truth''.<ref name="ToTellTruth">{{youTube|oV3SAAtb3XY|Greg "Pappy" Boyington on "To Tell The Truth"}}</ref> In 1976, Boyington appeared on NBC's ''The Today Show'' with actor Robert Conrad and was interviewed about the drama ''Baa Baa Black Sheep''.<ref name="nyt">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya3oft7Y3Ps |title=BAA BAA BLACK SHEEP(1976) NBC Promotional Interview |date=2008-04-14 |last=Ray Acton |access-date=2025-07-26 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

==Family== Boyington had three children with his first wife Helen Clark.<ref name=okhlslh/> They married after his graduation from the University of Washington in 1934. She was 17 years old. One daughter (Janet Boyington) took her own life;<ref>{{cite book|author=Gamble, Bruce|title=Black Sheep One: The Life of Gregory "Pappy" Boyington|page=423}}</ref> one son (Gregory Boyington, Jr.) graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1960 and retired from the U.S. Air Force as a lieutenant colonel. His youngest child was Gloria Boyington.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZKgpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=p-8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=7088%2C6064408|title=Marine ace 'Pappy' Boyington, North Idaho native, dies at 75|newspaper=Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington|date=January 12, 1988|page=A8}}</ref>

During World War II, his three children were placed in the charge of their aunt and grandmother after Boyington divorced Helen when he returned to America in 1941 after serving with the Flying Tigers. He charged his ex-wife with neglecting the children. Boyington married Frances Baker, 32, of Los Angeles on January 8, 1946.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}

His third marriage was to Delores Tatum, 33, on October 28, 1959. It was the second marriage for Tatum, and the third for the 46-year-old Boyington.<ref name="acesofww2.com">[http://acesofww2.com/USA/aces/boyington Aces of WWII: Gregory "Pappy" Boyington], acesofww2.com; accessed March 2, 2017.</ref> Boyington and Delores had one adopted child.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ww2gravestone.com/people/boyington-pappy-gregory/ |title=World War II Graves: Boyington, "Pappy" Gregory}}</ref> He married Josephine Wilson Moseman of Fresno in 1978. This marriage was his fourth.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/01/12/obituaries/pappy-boyington-is-dead-at-75-hero-of-the-black-sheep-squadron.html|title='Pappy' Boyington Is Dead at 75; Hero of the Black Sheep Squadron|newspaper=NY Times|date=January 12, 1988}}</ref>

==Death== A heavy smoker throughout his adult life, Boyington died of lung cancer on January 11, 1988, at age 75, in Fresno, California.<ref>{{cite news|last=Folkart|first=Burt A.|title=Flying Ace Pappy Boyington, Who Shot Down 28 Zeros, Dies at 75|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-01-12-mn-35105-story.html|access-date=August 22, 2011|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=January 12, 1988}}</ref> Boyington is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/#/arlington-national/search/results/1/Cglib3lpbmd0b24SBGdyZWc-/ |title=Burial Detail: Boyington, Gregory P. (Section 7A, Grave 150) |work= ANC Explorer|publisher=Arlington National Cemetery |id=(Official website)}}</ref> His January 15 interment included full military honors accorded to a Medal of Honor recipient, including a missing man fly-by conducted by the F-4 Phantom IIs of VMFA-321 "Hells Angels" of the Marine Air Reserve Training Detachment based at the Naval Air Facility located on Andrews Air Force Base.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ww2gravestoneer.com/general/boyington-pappy-gregory|website=ww2gravestone.com|title=Boyington, Pappy Gregory|date=16 November 2023 }}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Before his flight from Fresno, VMA-214 (the current incarnation of the Black Sheep Squadron) did a flyby. They intended to perform a missing man formation, but one of the four aircraft suffered a mechanical problem.<ref name="Gamble">{{cite book|author=Gamble, Bruce|title=Black Sheep One: The Life of Gregory "Pappy" Boyington|page=415|isbn= |year= }}</ref> After the burial service for Boyington, one of his friends, Fred Losch, looked down at the headstone next to which he was standing, that of boxing legend Joe Louis, and remarked that "Ol' Pappy wouldn't have to go far to find a good fight."<ref name="Gamble" />

== Medal of Honor citation == Boyington's Medal of Honor citation reads:

106px|center|alt=A light blue neck ribbon with a gold star shaped medallion hanging from it. The ribbon is similar in shape to a bowtie with 13 white stars in the center of the ribbon.

<blockquote> "The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to {{center|'''MAJOR GREGORY BOYINGTON'''<br />UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE}} for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:<ref name=AMOHW>{{cite web |access-date = June 8, 2009 |url = http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/wwII-a-f.html |title = Medal of Honor recipients |work = World War II (A–F) |publisher = United States Army Center of Military History |date = June 8, 2009 |archive-date = August 18, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110818055434/http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/wwII-a-f.html |url-status = dead }}</ref>

For extraordinary heroism above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of Marine Fighting Squadron TWO FOURTEEN in action against enemy Japanese forces in Central Solomons Area from September 12, 1943, to January 3, 1944. Consistently outnumbered throughout successive hazardous flights over heavily defended hostile territory, Major Boyington struck at the enemy with daring and courageous persistence, leading his squadron into combat with devastating results to Japanese shipping, shore installations and aerial forces. Resolute in his efforts to inflict crippling damage on the enemy, Major BOYINGTON led a formation of twenty-four fighters over Kahili on October 17, and persistently circling the airdrome where sixty hostile aircraft were grounded, boldly challenged the Japanese to send up planes. Under his brilliant command, our fighters shot down twenty enemy craft in the ensuing action without the loss of a single ship. A superb airman and determined fighter against overwhelming odds, Major BOYINGTON personally destroyed 26 of the many Japanese planes shot down by his squadron and by his forceful leadership developed the combat readiness in his command which was a distinctive factor in the Allied aerial achievements in this vitally strategic area.

{{center|FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT}}</blockquote>

== Navy Cross citation == '''Citation:''' :The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Major Gregory "Pappy" Boyington (MCSN: 0-5254), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer and a Pilot of Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED FOURTEEN (VMF-214), Marine Air Group ELEVEN (MAG-11), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, during action against enemy aerial forces in the New Britain Island Area on 3 January 1944. Climaxing a period of duty conspicuous for exceptional combat achievement, Major Boyington led a formation of Allied planes on a fighter sweep over Rabaul against a vastly superior number of hostile fighters. Diving in a steep run into the climbing Zeros, he made a daring attack, sending one Japanese fighter to destruction in flames. A tenacious and fearless airman under extremely hazardous conditions, Major Boyington succeeded in communicating to those who served with him, the brilliant and effective tactics developed through a careful study of enemy techniques, and led his men into combat with inspiring and courageous determination. His intrepid leadership and gallant fighting spirit reflect the highest credit upon the United States Naval Service.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/1182#16582 |title=Gregory "Pappy" Boyington |work=Military Times}}</ref>

== Awards and Decorations == {| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |- | colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Naval Aviator Badge.jpg|width=220|alt=}} |- | colspan="3" |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Medal of Honor ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=A light blue ribbon with five white five pointed stars}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy Cross ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Purple Heart BAR.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Ribbon, U.S. Navy Presidential Unit Citation.svg|width=106}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=AF_Presidential_Unit_Citation_Ribbon.png|width=106|alt=A light blue ribbon with five white five pointed stars}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Prisoner of War ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=American Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=5|type=service-star|ribbon=Asiatic-Pacific Campaign ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |} {| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" !Badge | colspan="3" |Naval Aviator insignia |- !1st row | colspan="3" |Medal of Honor |- !2nd row |Navy Cross |Purple Heart |Navy Presidential Unit Citation |- !3rd row |Presidential Unit Citation |Prisoner of War Medal |American Defense Service Medal with service star |- !4th row |American Campaign Medal |Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with five campaign stars |World War II Victory Medal |}

==Honors== Boyington's honors include:

===Airport renaming=== thumb|Sign on the perimeter fence of the Coeur D'Alene (Idaho) Airport In August 2007, the Coeur d'Alene airport was renamed the "Coeur d'Alene Airport–Pappy Boyington Field" in his honor and dedicated the following month.<ref name=psbbtag>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JLsyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SvMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5082%2C5596452|last=Curless|first=Erica|title=Persistent Boyington backers try again|newspaper=Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington|date=June 19, 2007|page=B1}}</ref><ref name=Curless>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3A0zAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dvMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3806%2C5995309|last=Curless|first=Erica|title=CdA airport renamed for 'Pappy'|newspaper=Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington|date=August 8, 2007|page=B3}}</ref><ref name=iplipbf>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FHYzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=c_MDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3397%2C1409665|newspaper=Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington|last=Prager|first=Mike|title=In proud landing, it's Pappy Boyington Field|date=September 23, 2007|page=B1}}</ref><ref name=mpoapnm>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2ZhXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ePMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3716%2C3141898|newspaper=Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington|title=Marines proud of airport's name|last=Hagengruber|first=James|date=October 6, 2007 |page=B1 }}</ref> An independent documentary film called ''Pappy Boyington Field'' was produced by filmmaker Kevin Gonzalez in 2008, chronicling the grassroots campaign to add the commemorative name.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-02-09-boyington_N.htm|title=Film tracks effort to honor 'Black Sheep' figure|first=Nicholas K.|last=Geranios|publisher=Associated Press/USA Today|date=2008-02-09}}</ref> The film showcases many of the local veterans who were involved with the campaign, as well as the personal insights into Boyington's life provided by his son, Gregory Boyington, Jr., and the actor Robert Conrad, who portrayed him in the television series.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Carfrey |first1=Bryan G. |title=Movie review: 'Pappy Boyington Field' |url=http://www.hqmc.marines.mil/News/NewsArticleDisplay/tabid/3488/Article/78724/movie-review-pappy-boyington-field.aspx |website=Marines |access-date=14 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130311182225/http://www.hqmc.marines.mil/News/NewsArticleDisplay/tabid/3488/Article/78724/movie-review-pappy-boyington-field.aspx |archive-date=11 March 2013 |date=10 June 2009}}</ref>

===University of Washington Medal of Honor Memorial=== thumb|Medal of Honor memorial at the University of Washington In February 2006, a resolution recommending a memorial be erected to honor Boyington for his service during World War II was raised and defeated at the University of Washington<ref>{{cite web|date=7 February 2006|url=http://senate.asuw.org/legislation/12/R/R-12-18.html|title="A Resolution to Calling for a Tribute for Col. Gregory 'Pappy' Boyington, USMC", Resolution R-12-18, submitted 11 January 2006|access-date=24 February 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107021432/http://senate.asuw.org/legislation/12/R/R-12-18.html |archive-date=2009-01-07|publisher=Associated Students of the University of Washington Student Senate}}</ref> (Boyington's alma mater).<ref>[http://archives.thedaily.washington.edu/search.lasso?-database=DailyWebSQL&-table=Articles&-response=searchpage.lasso&-keyField=__Record_ID__&-keyValue=15449&-search Boyington memorial&nbsp;– A word from the Senate]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, ''The Daily'', February 17, 2006; retrieved February 24, 2006.</ref> Some people did not believe the resolution's sponsor had fully addressed the financial and logistical problems of installing a memorial and questioned the widely held assumption that all warriors and acts of war are automatically worthy of memorialization. The story was picked up by some blogs and conservative news outlets, focusing on two statements made by student senators during the meeting.<ref>Flickinger, Christopher. [http://www.humanevents.com/blog-detail.php?id=12579 "Marines Not Welcome at University of Washington"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217193038/http://www.humanevents.com/blog-detail.php?id=12579 |date=2012-02-17 }}, ''Human Events'', February 20, 2006.</ref> One student senator, Ashley Miller, said that the university already had many monuments to "rich, white men" (Boyington claimed partial Sioux ancestry<ref name=gsnmohrp>{{cite news |url=http://www.lbst.org/newsite/files/MoHGreatSiouxNation.html |publisher=Lower Brule Sioux Tribe |title=Great Sioux Nation Medal of Honor Recipients |access-date=October 9, 2015 |archive-date=September 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925053931/http://www.lbst.org/newsite/files/MoHGreatSiouxNation.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> and was not rich);<ref name=pbisillde/> another questioned whether the university should memorialize a person who killed others, summarized in the minutes as saying "she didn't believe a member of the Marine Corps was an example of the sort of person UW wanted to produce."<ref>[http://senate.asuw.org/secretary/minutes/senate/12/02-07-2006.pdf UW Senate minutes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326044450/http://senate.asuw.org/secretary/minutes/senate/12/02-07-2006.pdf |date=2009-03-26 }}, asuw.org; accessed March 2, 2017.</ref> After its defeat, a new version of the original resolution was submitted that called for a memorial to all eight UW alumni who received the Medal of Honor.<ref name=bmfuwrevs>{{cite news |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Boyington-memorial-for-UW-revisited-1196521.php |newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |title=Boyington memorial for UW revisited |last=Frey |first=Christine |date=February 21, 2006 |access-date=October 9, 2015}}</ref><ref>[http://senate.asuw.org/legislation/12/R/R-12-26.html "A Resolution Calling a Memorial for UW Alumni awarded the Medal of Honor"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511145054/http://senate.asuw.org/legislation/12/R/R-12-26.html |date=2008-05-11 }}, Resolution R-12-16, Associated Students of the University of Washington Student Senate, submitted 02/17/2006.</ref> On April 4, 2006, the resolution passed. Privately funded, it was completed in time for a Veterans Day dedication in November 2009.<ref>[http://uwnews.org/article.asp?articleID=53378 "Honoring the men behind the Medals of Honor with ceremony, exhibit"], University of Washington News website, November 10, 2009.</ref> In addition to Boyington, it honors Deming Bronson, Bruce Crandall, Robert&nbsp;Galer, John&nbsp;Hawk, Robert Leisy, William&nbsp;Nakamura, and Archie Van Winkle.<ref name="nmhmohuw">{{cite news|url=http://www.washington.edu/news/2009/10/21/new-university-of-washington-memorial-honors-alumni-who-hold-the-congressional-medal-of-honor|publisher=University of Washington|agency=UW News|last=O'Donnell|first=Catherine|title=New UW memorial honors alumni who hold the Congressional Medal of Honor|date=October 21, 2009|access-date=October 9, 2015}}</ref><ref name="jkbrmst09">{{cite news|url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/uw-to-honor-war-heroes-with-medal-of-honor-memorial|newspaper=Seattle Times|last=Broom|first=Jack|title=UW to honor war heroes with Medal of Honor memorial|date=November 10, 2009|access-date=October 9, 2015}}</ref><ref name="militfrm">{{cite web|url=http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/111945-university-of-washington-medal-of-honor-memorial-dedication|publisher=U.S. Militaria Forum|title=University of Washington Medal of Honor Memorial Dedication|date=8 June 2011 |access-date=October 9, 2015}}</ref>

===Naval Aviation Hall of Honor=== Boyington was inducted into the Naval Aviation Hall of Honor in 1994, located at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

===NROL-82 Mission Patch=== Boyington was the inspiration for the NROL-82 mission patch that launched in April 2021. ("GPB" on the shoulder patch and an F4U Corsair in the background)<ref>{{cite web |title=NROL-82 Launch Press Kit |url=http://www.nro.gov/Portals/65/documents/news/Press%20Kits/Press%20Kit_Launch_NROL-82_4.20.2021.pdf |website=National Reconnaissance Office |access-date=14 April 2023}}</ref>

===National Aviation Hall of Fame=== In 2019, Boyington was inducted into The National Aviation Hall of Fame in Dayton, Ohio.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ensrhinee Gregory "Pappy" Boyington |url=https://nationalaviation.org/enshrinee/gregory-pappy-boyington/ |website=nationalaviation.org |publisher=National Aviation Hall of Fame |access-date=30 January 2023}}</ref>

==See also== * List of historic United States Marines * List of Medal of Honor recipients * List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II * List of military figures by nickname * List of people who disappeared mysteriously at sea

==References== {{Marine Corps}}

'''Specific''' {{Reflist|30em}}

'''Bibliography''' * {{Cite book |last = Crocker |first = H.W. |year = 2006 |title = Don't Tread on me: A 400-year history of America at War, from Indian Fighting to Terrorist Hunting |publisher = Crown Forum |isbn = 1-4000-5363-3 |url = https://archive.org/details/donttreadonme40000croc }} * {{Cite book |first = Bruce |last = Gamble |title = Black Sheep One, The Life of Gregory "Pappy" Boyington |location = California |publisher = Presidio Press |year = 2000 |edition = Hardcover |isbn = 0-89141-716-8 |url = https://archive.org/details/blacksheeponelif00gamb |ref=Gamble_BS1}}, {{isbn|0-89141-801-6}} * {{Cite book |first = Bruce |last = Gamble |title = The Black Sheep, The Definitive Account of Marine Fighting Squadron 214 in World War II |location = New York |publisher = Presidio Press/Random House |year = 1998 |edition = Paperback |isbn = 0-89141-825-3 |ref=Gamble_VMF214}}, {{isbn|0-89141-644-7}} * {{Cite book |last = Reed |first = Robert T. |year = 2001 |title = Lost Black Sheep: The Search for WWII Ace Chris Magee |publisher = Hellgate Press |location = Central Point, Oregon |isbn = 1-55571-549-4 |url = https://archive.org/details/lostblacksheep00robe }} * {{cite journal|last=Allison|first=Dr. Fred H.|date=March 2010|title=Boyington and Combat Leadership|journal=Fortitudine|publisher=United States Marine Corps History Division|location=Quantico|volume=35|issue=1|pages=13–18|url=http://www.mcu.usmc.mil/historydivision/Documents/Fortitudine/Fortitudine%20Vol%2035%20No%201.pdf|access-date=2015-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030945/http://www.mcu.usmc.mil/historydivision/Documents/Fortitudine/Fortitudine%20Vol%2035%20No%201.pdf|archive-date=2016-03-04|url-status=dead}}

'''Web''' * [http://www.acesofww2.com/USA/aces/boyington Pappy Boyington at acesofww2.com] * {{cite web|access-date=October 4, 2010|url=http://www.acepilots.com/usmc_boyington.html|title="Major Gregory "Pappy" Boyington", AcePilots.com|archive-date=September 17, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100917055535/http://acepilots.com/usmc_boyington.html|url-status=dead}} * {{cite web|access-date=October 4, 2010|url=http://www.acepilots.com/usmc_boyington.html|title=Major Gregory "Pappy" Boyington at acepilots.com|archive-date=September 17, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100917055535/http://acepilots.com/usmc_boyington.html|url-status=dead}} * {{cite web|access-date=2009-07-15|url=http://www.usmc.mil/moh.nsf/000003c919889c0385255f980058f5b6/000003c919889c0385255fa2005c5eeb?OpenDocument|title=Medal of Honor – Major Gregory Boyington|work=Marines Awarded the Medal of Honor|publisher=History Division, United States Marine Corps|archive-date=2007-01-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070102234746/http://www.usmc.mil/moh.nsf/000003c919889c0385255f980058f5b6/000003c919889c0385255fa2005c5eeb?OpenDocument|url-status=dead}} * {{cite web|access-date=2009-07-15|url=http://www.homeofheroes.com/moh/citations_1940_wwii/boyington_gregory.html|title=MOH Citation for Gregory Boyington|publisher=HomeOfHeroes.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618001836/http://www.homeofheroes.com/moh/citations_1940_wwii/boyington_gregory.html|archive-date=2009-06-18|url-status=dead}} * {{cite web|access-date=October 4, 2010|url=http://www.warbirdforum.com/roster.htm|title=Complete Roster of the American Volunteer Group}} * {{cite web|access-date=October 4, 2010|url=http://www.flyingtigersavg.22web.org/camco.htm|title=Roster of the American Volunteer Group showing Boyington's status as flight leader}} * {{cite web|access-date=October 4, 2010|url=http://www.warbirdforum.com/gregboy.htm|title=Greg Boyington, Flying Tiger (including AVG citation crediting him with 2 air-to-air and 2.5 ground victories)}} * Heaton, Colin. [https://web.archive.org/web/20070129134724/http://www.historynet.com/historical_conflicts/3031276.html Boyington's final interview], originally published in ''Aviation History'', May 2001.

==Further reading== * {{Cite book |first = Daniel |last = Ford |author-link = Daniel Ford |title = Flying Tigers: Claire Chennault and His American Volunteers, 1941–1942 |location = New York |publisher = Smithsonian Books/Collins |year = 2007 |edition = Updated and rev. |isbn = 978-0-06-124655-5 |oclc = 76481585}} * Colonel R. Bruce Porter and Eric M. Hammel ''ACE!: A Marine Night-Fighter Pilot in World War II'' Pacifica Press, {{ISBN|0-935553-31-2}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Pappy Boyington}} * [http://navylog.navymemorial.org/boyington-gregory United States Navy Memorial] – Gregory 'Pappy' Boyington * [http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?displaypage=output.cfm&file_id=10798 History Link] – Gregory 'Pappy' Boyington * {{cite web |access-date=October 4, 2010 |url=http://www.pappyboyingtonfield.com |title=Pappy Boyington Field" documentary film}} * {{cite web |access-date=October 4, 2010 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nKTRodbxcY |title=Video showing two interviews with Pappy Boyington|website = YouTube| date=24 August 2007 }} * {{Internet Archive film clip|id=August291945Newsreel-MajorBoyingtonIsFoundAlive|description=of an August 29, 1945 Newsreel – "Major Boyington Is Found Alive"}} * [http://www.airnav.com/airport/KCOE AirNav.com] – airport information – Pappy Boyington Field – Coeur d'Alene, Idaho * {{cite web|url=http://arlingtoncemetery.net/ghboying.htm|title=Gregory H. "Pappy" Boyington|date=11 July 2022 |publisher=at ArlingtonCemetery.net|id=(Unofficial website)}}<!--non-RS WP:SPS website, do not use for citations --> * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oV3SAAtb3XY Boyington's appearance] on the July 2, 1957 episode of ''To Tell the Truth''. {{US Marine Corps navbox}} {{Native Americans and World War II}} {{Top US World War II Aces}} {{Authority control}} {{Subject bar | portal1=Aviation | portal2=Biography | commons=y | commons-search=Gregory "Pappy" Boyington }}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Boyington, Pappy}} Category:1912 births Category:1940s missing person cases Category:1988 deaths Category:American autobiographers Category:American prisoners of war in World War II Category:American World War II flying aces Category:Aviators from Idaho Category:Aviators from Washington (state) Category:Sicangu people Category:Burials at Arlington National Cemetery Category:Deaths from lung cancer in California Category:Flying Tigers pilots Category:Formerly missing American people Category:Lincoln High School (Tacoma, Washington) alumni Category:Military personnel from Idaho Category:Military personnel from Tacoma, Washington Category:Military personnel from Washington (state) Category:Missing in action of World War II Category:Native American United States military personnel Category:People from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Category:People from St. Maries, Idaho Category:Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States) Category:Shot-down aviators Category:United States Marine Corps colonels Category:United States Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipients Category:United States Marine Corps pilots of World War II Category:United States Naval Aviators Category:University of Washington College of Engineering alumni Category:World War II prisoners of war held by Japan Category:World War II recipients of the Medal of Honor Category:Native American people from Washington (state) Category:Native American people from Idaho