Footnote: You have the voice for narration, but your technique and vocal mannerisms need a lot of work. You should concentrate a little bit less on enunciation, for starters. It causes your narration to be less inviting, almost robotic. Use more contractions like "it's" instead of saying "it is" or "it was". Also, practice speaking more conversationally, the way you would if you were simply sitting in a bar, talking with friends. It'll add warmth and draw the listener in. The way you're doing it now sounds more like you're reading a script, which you may well be, but again, it sounds robotic. Overall, I found the video very accurate and informative. Just work on your presentation.
I grew up watching Black Sheep Squadron. It wasn't supposed to be a documentary series, but the skilled portrayal of Major Boyington by Robert Conrad made a Pappy fan out of this kid.
I loved the show as a kid, but my dad, a WW2 Pacific Veteran couldn't help but always comment that the ground/hills/mountains shown during plane flying in the show were BROWN, hence southern california as he would point out. The South Pacific was all GREEN all the time. It didn't matter to me, I thought the Corsair was cool.
I live in castaic ca.they used to film black sheep near by, next to the Indian dunes motorcycle park.my brother and I would see the corsairs and zeros flying over the hills by our home.cool times.you could see some of the set driving on the highway 126 area
I got to meet Pappy Boynton before he died, at one time he was married to a friend’s mom when I was as in high school back in the early 70’s, her last name was “cox”. I would go over to their house just to hear his WWII stories and the F4U Corsair. He autographed the Corsair model that I built when I was a kid and I still have that to this day.
Cool that you did, I was working for the Sheriff's Dept and he and his wife were living in our police district. We got regular calls from his wife that Pappy had wondered off. I used to know where he went so I along with other officer would always find him. Take him home and sometimes just stop to talk to him. He was a fun guy to talk to when sober. When drunk he could be a little unruly but always maintained his stature as a hero. I was always happy to talk to him and listen to his exploits. I had his book but never asked him to autograph it, I should have. I have met a lot of heros in my life time and he was one of the really. fun ones to be around, Since I was also a Vietnam Vet, he liked to know about the planes and what we did in the air and wished he could go back and fly some. I also had a Sgt who was one of the original Tuskegee Airmen. Good man, always quiet. He would come around to see Pappy as well and they would talk about the old days.
@@RAvery41 was that in Fresno?I got to see him at the air show around 1976 or so.he was autographing his book dressed in his flight uniform and Mar West preserver.he looked tough.Good stories guys.thank for treating him well.an America hero,the real thing
My dad was in two POW camps with Pappy Boyington (Ofuna and Omori). Because "Pappy" was never listed as a POW, he was presumed he was MIA/KIA. My dad (James D. Landrum ) and Norman Albertsen (both from the sub USS Grenadier) painted "Pappy Boyington Here" on the roof of one of the buildings which was photographed by a Navy plane that flew over Omori POW camp. The photo of the POWs waving flags (British, Dutch and American) when they were liberated shows my dad (waving the American Flag) and to his left is Norman Albertsen. James D. Landrum, Norman Albertsen, Raymond Jakubielski, and Lorenzio Mirizio made the American Flag in secret from Japanese bedsheets and colored pencils from American Red Cross packages in secret. The Flag is on display at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia. I have his diary and notes he made after returning to the States after the war.
One story that is sometimes told about Boyington is that he stole food from other prisoners while he worked in the kitchen at Omori. I hope it isn’t true. I wonder if your dad’s diary mentions anything about that.
In "Unbroken" the book Zamperini mentions that Pappy & he were at the same camp at the same time. Gaga the duck was a sad portion mentioned with what the japs did to that lil creature. The bird, the quack, shithead etc were names of these disgusting individuals.
I met a surviving Black Sheep aviator who himself had 1 1/2 kills but had flown on Boyington's wing. He stated that the running joke was that Pappy couldn't take off without killing something. So many of his kills are documented by both wingmen and gun camera. Giving the AVG tally as 2 and not 6 as an argument, his kills with VMF-214 were so well covered that revisionists' arguments against the tally really bother me. As far as character, Boyington once famously said, "Show me a hero and I'll show you a bum." Sometimes, the "rough men" are the best ones to stand ready at the gates. Great production TJ.
@currentbatches6205 We know at least some of his kills were witnessed and verified and Corsairs did have gun cameras unlike the earlier P-40's. Imagine how many more kills he would have gotten if he had been sober! 🤣
@currentbatches6205 True enough, he was probably a total arrogant egotistical arsehole of a person on the order of a Curtis Lemay. But like Lemay, he did the dirty work and got the job done and didn't care what you thought about him.
@currentbatches6205 Drunks and Liars have been some of our country's best. General Ulysses Grant. Astronaut "Buzz" Aldrin. Richard Nixon. William Bill Clinton. Lyndon Baynes Johnson. J Edgar Hoover. Judge Roy L. Bean. GW Bush. Etcetera......you know the deal.
I used to have a dog-eared copy of pappy Boyington’s book in my truck. I was working near the Everett airport during one of the fly-ins and pappy was at a table autographing books. I went back to my truck and got out the copy of the book. A man at the table tried to stop me, saying he was only autographing new books. Pappy looked at the book, and asked it I had really read it that many times. I said yes. He said what the hell and signed it. He asked me what my favorite part was. I said selling war bonds when you were drunk. He almost choked on his water. A great story teller and a good guy.
I met Greg Boyington when I was eight/nine years old. I asked him at a meet and greet if he had helped with the planning of the raid on Adm Yamamoto. To say he and the room were shocked a little kid had asked the question, would be an understatement. Then to the shock and surprise of everyone in the room he said he had helped with the raid. The Army Air Force Pilots had never flown up what was called the "Slot" so they had no idea what landmarks to look for or how to budget their fuel needs. He walked the Army pilots through the raid, what Islands to look for and how they should thin their fuel and roughly what elevations they should fly at. He said, "Kid Ive never told anyone that story. The whole operation was top secret. How the hell did you find this out?" I held up an old battered library book and showed him where he was mentioned. "I'll be God damned!'' when the lecture was over, he GAVE me a copy of his book and then went to Breakfast with my mom and me.
I met Pappy Boyington as a young boy during a book signing in an air show. Walked up with a friend who was getting his book autographed. But, one of the highlights of my childhood.
I too met him at an air show....I was 18yo. Asked him to sign a Bonzi head band that I had gotten the guy who shot down Pappy to sign too. Pappy refused, however he did sign a F4 post card for me. Saddly it was stolen years back. Anyway. Lololol, old man Pappy got in a fist fight with the Jap at a airshow too. Sometimes wars never end.
I meet “Pappy Boyington” at an air show in Madera Ca. I took a picture of him with my Polaroid camera. I asked him to autograph the photo and he grumpily suggested that I buy one of his books. I did and he autographed both. He was kind of abrasive.
J went a book signing when I was 15 or so. My dad said, "Ask him if he knew Duke Headman"(a Flying Tiger pilot from near my dad's hometowwn). Paooy said, "Sure, I know Duke!" I think hot an autograph on a piece of paper. Didn't have money for a book. He was cool with me. Maybe the "Duke" connection helped. Lol!
Would really love a remake of Baa Baa Black Sheep. Also in case anyone's wondering VMF-214 is now VMFA-214 and flies the F-35 and before that the Harrier (as VMA-214).
There are SO many stories from WW2 that could be Hollywood movies that write themselves. The Flying Tigers is one, Black Sheep another, and the most dramatic is "Y-29" - an airbase in Belgium that took part in Germany's Boddenplatte opperation on New Years Day. Perhaps you've seen snippets of the History Channel's Dogfights series about Y-29 on that morning? It was the Luftwaffe's last effort, all at low altitude (fatal), and things ocurred that Hollywood could not come up with on their own. It was beyond strange and epic. Well, at least we have "Masters of the Air" coming next year...
I met Boyington at an airshow in Topeka, Kansas. He was cordial. His wife was a delight, and clearly had him in tow. Years later, I was in Albuquerque New Mexico, and spoke to a woman who worked with the surviving Navajo code talkers. I met some of them, and it was an an experience of a lifetime. Few were left. The lady told me that one of Boyington’s friends came from the black sheep clan of the Navajo, and that was where the name Black sheep squadron originated.
Hope you guys enjoyed! You might be thinking - But TJ, you should have covered more on the Black Sheep - and don't worry - I have something coming down the road on that. ;) I also somehow forgot to mention that Pappy, upon returning to the United States after being liberated, met with his Blacksheep pilots in a bar in San Francisco - just as he predicted. It was featured in Time magazine. Thanks for watching! See you guys next time!
Yup, but it wasn't just any bar. It was the bar at the Waldorf Inn, which was considered to be a pretty swanky joint back in those days. One of the guys that joined the party to welcome Boyington back was none other than Joe Foss, and after a few drinks Boyington challenged Foss to a wrestling match. But before Foss could respond, Pappy attacked him like a tiger. And according to legend, the Black Sheep also got in on the action too and proceeded to wreck the place......The next morning, Foss was awakened by the sound of someone loudly pounding on the door to his suite, which only compounded his hangover. When he opened the door to see who was making all the racket, he was surprised, and somewhat amused to see that it was Pappy, challenging him to a "re-match" from the previous night's bout !
I used to know Greg. I met him at 14 at the Planes of Fame museum and became friends and after 2 yrs intriduced him to my dad who was floored meeting his childhood hero . I was 14 in 78 and was friends til he passed fom cancer . I knew a side of him few ever did..
Pappy Boyington was a Friend of mine. In the early 1970s Pappy would tour Air Shows across the country selling his Book. Every yr we would visit the La Junta Co Air Show which no longer exists. He was a Short Man Full of life and Booze lol But Nice Guy. Loved the Man.
I was fortunate enough to open a cold can of Coors beer for Pappy while I was a Cadet at Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas back in the late seventies at the Harlingen Air Show. He was signing autographs and meeting folks and the man was thirsty. He was having a hard time with the pull tab from his condition so I helped him out. I wasn't about to judge the man; he was the stuff of legend at the Academy and it was like meeting John Wayne, except Pappy actually fought with his life on the line. Later that day he took a meal with us all in the Mess Hall. I still have the pictures in my yearbook from that year. It was an honor meeting the man.
I saw Pappy riding in an open top convertible at the Reno air races in 1985, waving to the crowd. He got a standing ovation. I read his book as a kid. Whether he embellished his score or not, he was still a great pilot and an ace.
I too have watch that show, and it was how I fell in love with the Corsair. Also, I have two different versions of Pappy's book in my military aviation book library.
Growing up The black sheep n pappy where my heros.and I loved n still do the F4 Corsair. I joined the Marines at 17 and ended up in VMFA 112 working on the F4 phantoms. Dream come true.
The same POW Camp had Lt Commander Richard O’Kane who was the Captain of the USN Tang. The Tang was the highest scoring Submarine American Submarine in WW II. O’Kane was also awarded the Medal of Honor and weighed under 100 pounds by the wars end.
My grandfather was an aircraft mechanic on the P40 Warhawk and stationed with General Chennault in Burma. He, like all veterans never discussed it with me as a kid. I am a Navy veteran and retired Army 1SG and was a Boys State Delegate. He was a post commander and lifetime member of the Legion. When I would come home on leave, he would take me the Legion Hall and parade me around. I felt weird as I was still young and on active duty but, it made him feel so proud. When he passed I inherited his WW2 American flag that was the flag flown at some point on their post. He was a great guy and was a huge fan of the P40 and the general.
As a young LCpl i was stationed at MCAS EL Toro with VMA 211 Wake Island Avengers. Next to us was VMA 214. At the time both squadrons were flying the A4M. I got to meet Pappy and Masajiro "Mike" Kawato who claimed to have been the pilot who shot down Pappy. At the time Pappy was obviously very ill, but he signed my copy of Baa Baa Blacksheep and spent about 20 minutes chatting with me all the while him and Mike were talking trash to each other. Even though Mike Kawatos claim may be far fetched he was a fascinating man whose life and exploits would make for a great TJ3 episode.
My Dad was a UNITED STATES MARINE veteran & a County Sheriff. Inevitably I grew up around Sheriffs & Marines. I also grew up watching Black Sheep Squadron on TV, & PAPPY was a huge HERO of mine !!! Thus it was almost predestined that shortly after High School I made a straight course for The United States Marine Corps !!! Semper Fi Pappy !!!
I just finished listening to "Baa Baa Black Sheep" on Audible about a month ago and what an amazing read/listen it was. Hearing about everything Boyington went through during his whole career from the AVG to his shoot down, capture and imprisonment was crazy. Definitely a recommendation from me. Something that I found interesting is how Boyington carried himself during his flights in the Corsair; He often trimmed out his aircraft into the course the flight was taking, and fell asleep for a time. He also had a lighter in his fighter and lit a cigar as he flew. His wingmen picked up on this and knew that if they saw him open his canopy and fling his cigar out, that meant it was time to attack.
How did you like the audio? I've heard that the audio speaker was so annoying (Amazon Audible) that it got low scores. But, maybe you and I are of the same mind when such things don't matter so much?
@@Jonno2summit The speaker wasn't bad in my opinion. He wasn't monotone to the point you'd fall asleep out of boredom and sounded like he knew his stuff. I could understand almost all of what he was talking about, maybe a couple of things were hard to hear, but that might have just been me as I listened to it mostly at my job to help pass the time.
@@stevegoesrogue Thank you for a quick reply. Probably like you, my stack of books is ridiculously high, and I enjoy audio books to augment that. So much to learn, so little time.
I remember watching Baa Baa Blacksheep with my dad who was in the Marines during WWII. He was stationed at MCAB El Toro and had met Pappy Boyington. My dad's older brother played football for 3 seasons for the El Toro Flying Marines. He was in the backfield with Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch. Many of the games were played in the LA Coliseum in front of 40 to 50,000 fans. Loved listening to all of the stories of what happened during the War.
In 1985 I was an A4M Skyhawk electrician. I was with Marine squadron VMA 311. I then went to VMA 214 for 6 months on TAD. Those guys in 214 tried to keep the Blacksheep reputation alive. They had serious disciplinary issues compared to 311.
This legendary story of Pappy Bpyington is, without a doubt, my favorite from WWII. And YOU did a great job in telling it with excellent aerial footage!
This one was alot of fun to fly in. Seeing this posted is making a good day better. Appreciate all the hard work and fantastic content TJ, keep up the great work
I have Pappy Boyington's signature... Twice! When I was a kid my Dad took me to a Confederate Airforce Airshow and Pappy signed my CAF book as well as his autobiography!
I read his book several decades ago. Its a pretty decent book and worth reading. When he was captured by the Japanese he was beaten. He wrote that he was afraid of what the Japanese would do to him f they found out he was a famous Ace. When the Japanese did find out he was a famous Ace, he was surprised that they respected his accomplishment and treated him much better. He also talks about getting hold of some Saki while he was a POW.
Great job! I read so many WWII non fiction books. The Japanese really suffered veteran pilots losses with their carriers going down early in the war. That was a key factor in the US forces being able to dominate the air - especially with the Corsair :).
Good presentation. I might suggest a book by Mike Kawato named Bye Bye Blacksheep. Mike Kawato was the Japanese pilot who shot Major Boyington down. Fascinating book from the perspective of the other side. Mike Kawato went on to fly for JAL and had a long career. He and Major Boyington became friends and both ended up living in Washington State.
Somebody posted that the Japanese pilot "riceball?" Was real? Wow - I thought that was Hollywood! Now I seriously want to read this man's book - I would love to read his side!
I knew someone who was personally familiar with Col. Boyington. This individual claimed that he was not a pleasant man, whatsoever. However, he was certainly a brave and fearless fighter pilot.
I can only imagine what it would have been like to be that young to go into a World War to operate the aircraft and do what needed to be done it was absolutely incredible to say the least just as far as the demand of a young person the skill set required and to think that most were in their early twenties or younger most young adults in today's age have no idea the sacrifices that have been made and take for granted the life we have been given because of the sacrifices I will never forget them and I absolutely love hearing the stories of these past war heroes I have lost plenty of friends and family to war and that's truly devastating and takes a special person to do what is necessary they shall never be forgotten
Another really interesting and overlooked ace in the VMF 214 was Chris Magee. He was the second highest scoring ace in the squadron and highly decorated. He ended up doing time in Federal prison for bank robbery.
well done vid. He's always been one of my heroes. The quote from him that always has stuck with me was " Show me a Hero and I'll prove he's a bum" I took that to mean that people should not worship heroes as something mythical but as flawed men as we all are. They are just in a place and time and did their job. You can applaud their actions but don't put them on a pedestal as perfect people because they're not, never will be, and just want to be treated (most of the time) as regular Joes when it's all over.
As a kid Black Sheep Squadron was my show. Dreamed of being in the squadron with Pappy. Love the Corsair, but my Grandfather flew P51’s. Still my favorite plane.
I always love your videos and this is one of the best yet! I loved watching the TV show "Baa Baa Blacksheep" with my dad, a highly decorated fighter pilot in Korea and Vietnam and I read the book when I was a freshman in high school. My dad encouraged my hero worship of Col. Boyington. Right after my dad (who flew combat as an F-100 and F-105 Wild Weasel) and a long with Major George E. Preddy, Col. Boyington is my favorite pilot. At the end of the book, "Baa Baa Blacksheep" Col. Boyington paraphrased F. Scott Fitzgerald saying, "Name me a hero and I'll prove he's a bum."
One of my uncles was on the camera crew for the filming of "Baa Baa Black Sheep" and on occasion would take me with him when they filmed. "Pappy" had a few cameo parts in the show He and Red West were on pretty good terms with each other and always having fun between takes. The Corsair was known as "The Widow Maker" as it was a little bit difficult for new pilots to get used to flying. The Japanese called it "The Whistling Death" due to the whistling sound caused by the gull inverted wings would cause a whistling sound when the plane was in a dive.
Met Pappy at the EAA Oshkosh back in the 80's. Robert Conrad he was NOT! LOL Had I known he was there I would have brought his book with that I had JUST finished reading. His POW account really stood out. Pappy would always take the worst plane so that the younger newer pilots always had better equipment to make it back home with.
There was no problem with smoking in WWII. Cigarettes were provided by the government as part of the daily ration. As to drinking, the word was and if you were off duty, "drink it, if you have it." FYI, I met Pappy in the mid 1970's and I read his book.
I got Pappy's autograph with his book "Baa Baa Black Sheep" back in the 1970s when he attended EAA convention and was selling his book. I was too young and intimidated to ask him about his stories or anything else. I wish I would have talked to him some.
@TJ3 History - At 15:21, you called the man Boyington replaced at the #1 spot "Thomas Eldorado". His name (as shown in the pictured article) was W.J. Thomas from Eldorado Kansas.
@@TJ3 Also small Nit to pick and may not be your fault but the thumbnail for this article if from WWII is of a USAAC pilot although I suspect it is a still from a recent WWII movie about a group of pilots that are famous for having a perfect record while escorting bombers over the Reich. A very unique group of heroes that neither the USMC nor USN had in their ranks.
Thank you so much for this, & moreso, for helping our next generations appreciate what our "Greatest Generation" did for us. I met Pappy Boyington once as an elderly man. He was still tough & gruff as hell... My Dad & 4 of 5 uncles served in WWII (the 5th in Korea), & their mothers, fathers, & sisters served & sacrificed so much at home. I chose a career to teach history to honor of them & all our generous ancestors who deserve so much of our humble gratitude.
I wrote an essay about Pappy Boyington about a week before this video came out and I thought that it was so cool that one of my favorite youtubers made a video about someone I just wrote about😄😄
You need to read his book. He didn't simply gain weight because he couldn't drink. He lost weight. Going below 100 pounds. He only gained weight when he got a job in the kitchen where he stole food. He ate handfulls of pure lard. Pig fat. and that's how he gained weight, not from not drinking.
Boyington freely admitted he exaggerated his war stories. “I gave ‘em what they wanted to hear”. He is a complex and fascinating character. And an aggressive and skilled combat leader. Read Bruce Gamble’s Black Sheep One for interesting insight to a great American.
My mom was a Marine during the war and she ordered parts for the Corsair in the States. Also my dad was a survivor from the battle of Midway. He used to work on the Corsairs. He was a CPO. Odd that he and my mom met each other. Thanks to all that had served during this crazy war in the South Pacific. My dad was on the USS Yorktown.
The repeated references to "his drinking and smoking" are sort of oblivious to the facts of the age. Maybe the drinking was out of line, but as far as I can tell, everyone smoked at that time. Even when I was a kid in the '70s adults were smoking all around me. Cigarettes were included in WWII rations.
Not mentioned here is that he lost 5 P-40s while with the AVG, several of them in stupid or drunken accidents. The other AVG pilots called him a “Japanese ace” since he had 5 P-40s destroyed. He was known for getting drunk and starting fights and not being fit for missions. A known fabricator of air to air victories, his actual total is much lower than claimed.
Growing up my Dad was into photography. Our local camera shop was run by Grag Boyington's unit Photographer. Pappy was my hero. I was able to get an autographed picture that read Happy Landings to my wing man Mac. Signed Grag "Pappy" Boyington. I've now been a Pilot and Flight Instructor for nearly 40 years. Thanks for the inspiration Pappy.
Here is where things get sticky. The reason the AVG only counted 2 kills for Boyington, is because 3 where ground kills. I.E. he strafed them. So they where not air to air kills. So in my eyes, he never broke Foss's record.
As a Marine aviator I 💯 endorse this video…the only detail you left out was that those disputed China victories…4 of them were fighters he shot down AS they lifted OFF the runway…his fellow aviators thought these victories shouldn’t count because “they were barely off the ground” …so yeah, dude was a G and makes me proud to call myself a Marine
@@TJ3 a mistake he would never repeat so much so that (another fun fact), Gregory Boyington learned enough Japanese to talk trash to them and call them to come up and fight over the radio … and he promised he wouldn’t fire a single shot until they were airborne… There are reports of Japanese pilots, who not only knew who Gregory Boyington was, but had a tremendous amount of respect for him, because he wanted a fair fight.😂 he promised them an honorable death in service of their empire 😏 ….Fn A
I loved Naval history and was in Navy. I finally met a Corsair aviator in mid 80s. He was in Pacific in last few months of the war and said he never saw a Japanese plane as they had been wiped out. The planes at that time were beautiful
Thanks for the story! It's refreshing to see such an abrasive and never compromising attitude would excel in these difficult time, giving us the less-socialable ppl an inspiration.
I remember watching Black Sheep Squadron as a teenager on the History Channel and LOVING it. This is awesome. I remember from the show that there was a Japanese ace that he could never quite get the best of, I don't know if he ever did, but they had a rivalry, again, at least in the show.
my family’s Tax Man,(he had his business in Garden Grove California for decades ) , told me before his death that he was a mechanic in the Black Sheep squadron. I just saw his tattoos and his pictures, but i never made the connection. He was a mechanic the last few years in the Pacific and when they moved the unit to El toro after the war. He clearly remembered the massive amounts of bullet holes in the American planes- saying the Zeros were more maneuverable, but American had better pilots. He said all the other pilots would speak about how good Pappy was, and they all absolutely revered him.
Pappy was an advisor to the TV show Black Sheep . Often he would clash with Robert Conrad (2 big egos) Conrad said that he would vent on him , he told Pappy that he wished that he could have been in the squadron himself ! Pappy retorted “I wish you were too !” Conrad “ Why ?” Pappy “So I could kick your ass !”
My civics teacher use to play our class the actual fighter recordings of Gregory Pappy Boyington in some of his Corsair Dog Fights. Then, I remember the Black Sheep Squadron TV show that I never missed a program !!! Pappy had one colorful character & military career !!! 🇺🇲🙏
Thank you so much for that vidyou. I really enjoyed it. My voice felt like the country should be proud. To have a man like Gregory pappywarrington. He was a true fighter, a hero and a Patriot, He was another one of the greatest generation never thank you gregory pappy boring
I also got his autograph and shook his hand in California. Can't remember the year It was at the Chino airport. Bought one of his books which has his autograph.
Same here, along side of R.T. Smith Madera Ca, Gathering of Warbirds. I think it was 1988. I also met the crew at Indian Dunes while filming the TV show. Conrad was okay, but James Whitmore Jr. was the nicest.
Awesome video! I too was and still am a fan of the Black Sheep tv show. At the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum located by the Dulles Airport in Virginia they have a F4U Corsair hanging as you walk in. Bring a pair of binoculars with you and look up into the Starboard side main wheelwell and you will see his signature. A curator told me the story that he was invited to dedicate the F4U and then climbed in and attempted to start it and also signed his name in the Starboard wheelwell. True or not, but his signature is there. He is buried in Arlington to the left side (if memory serves) behind of the Tomb of the Unknown along with Joe Lewis and Lee Marvin. Awesome man!!!!!!!
As of his time with the flying tigers his 6 victory which amounted to two air victories and four ground victories that he did actually. get and I was lucky enough to meet pappy twice at two different air shows, great man and also met a handful of Black sheep at the air show in Oshkosh !!!
The five aces in the first battle was something they duplicated on Baa Baa Black Sheep TV show. Robert Conrad did a good job playing him. The real pappy was a show advisor.
What the narrator didn’t say, was the fact Pappy wasn’t a drinker or smoker, until he used his real last name and went to flight training. Pappy was a fighter, no doubt! He was exactly what a Marine was/is, but the Corps will never admit Marines are that way. I know first hand! RIP/Semper Fi Pappy!!!
Boyington was exactly the type of soldier that our enemies didn't want to face - whether in the air, sea, or land. He was a troublesome type of character and, therefore, trouble for our enemies. Our enemies saw Americans as soft and weak, but they learned quickly that the US Military actually allowed some renegades to do their business in combat. Boyington was one of thousands in that regard. We even had renegade leaders and Generals. Our enemies found us to be unpredictable in this fassion. I have always said that the differences in Military Command Structure is why the US kicked so much ass in WW2. The old addage of "cut off the head and you kill the snake" did NOT work with the US Military!
I have a great signed painting print of Pappys Corsair. I built airplanes for a living and used to go to Oshkosh every year for the EEA fly in. I was lucky because my boss was good friends with a lot of the people involved in aviation. Including Bob Hoover!! It was always a great time up there and Pappy used to be there for quite a few years.
Years ago I spent much time in creating repaints for FSX Corsairs, and in doing so I researched each and every repaint. Of course, I did one of Boyington's more famous planes plastered with kill marks on the side. But I learned that this was NOT "his plane". That was just a publicity photo shoot. He never had a specific Corsair as his own. In fact, he would challenge his ground crews by taking the most troublesome plane in the flight as "his" for that day. As a leader, he flew the "weakest plane" in the flight that day. Makes me shake my head... What an incredible leader! No wonder those flying under him said they would do anything for him or die for him.
In Pappy's defense, he argued with Gen. Chennault that he was to get paid for planes destroyed. The contract stated pay was for planes destroyed. Boyington said he did destroy planes on the ground. Some accounts say a couple of planes were on the takeoff roll when they were destroyed; I could almost count that as a kill. Those planes had begun their mission. This video has a few things to be addressed. It is obvious where the creator of the video was headed.
The TV show "Baa Baa Black Sheep" was active when I was in highschool, back in the 70s. One of the teachers there, Mr. Olsen, was an expert on WW2, and specifically, on the pilots and aces of the time. According to him, Boyington, while a legitimate Ace, was shot down fairly early in the war, and spent the rest of it in a Nipponese P.O.W. camp.
The VMF 214 was not a “new” squadron. In fact, the 214 had already flown two combat tours out of Guadalcanal in F4F Wildcats, and their nickname was “The Swashbucklers.” While the 214 was on leave in Australia after their second tour, their squadron number was reassigned, for unknown reasons, to Boyington and a group of replacement pilots awaiting assignment to other squadrons.
Loved Pappy until I learned he wouldn’t smuggle food out of the kitchen he worked in to help fellow POW’s. Pappy actually gained weight while others withered away. Semper Sad.
My dad worked for Grumman and we loved to watch BAA BAA Blacksheep together. He watched the show mainly for those awesome planes. Also, someone should make a remake of that great series.
I’m not an “autograph” guy, but I have two: Pappy Boyington when he signed his book for me at the Reno Air Races, and General Chuck Yeager, when he was a key note speaker at some training I attended.
I had the great honor to see him in person in San Diego, CA for an air show at Brown Field around 1985,'86 or '87 ( can't remember which year.) I have two of his books that are autographed. My mom got to ride in one of the Corsairs used in the t.v. show. I on the other hand only got to ride in a T-6 trainer.😢
Greg Boyington was born about 40 miles northwest of here but went to school here in this little north Idaho town. There's a couple of plaques around town dedicated to him and the airport over in Coeur D'Alene is named after him. They didn't cover it well in this video but the original 6 planes he claimed while in China they say 4 of them were still on the ground. According to other reports , they were taking off so should be counted in his total kills, I agree.
Several years ago I was part of an American Legion security team at the local annual air show. The show honors including reunion went to the Black Sheep. The Marines were still flying in his honor. They sent a Harrier flying unit from their pilot school in Yuma, Arizona. It was quite a weekend.
A couple of significant facts that were omitted from the video: Col. Boyington earned a BA in aeronautical engineering in 1934 before he joined the Marine Corp and Col. Boyington was a Native American.
Cosair-fighter was a fast plane with the Grumman engine, the same as Hellcat and Wildcat-fighters. It is a long length-wing span susceptible to ground-to-air fire because of its size of the Cosair-wings.
Get 15% off the Flight card series today with code "TJ3" at HistoricAutographCompany.com!
Footnote: You have the voice for narration, but your technique and vocal mannerisms need a lot of work.
You should concentrate a little bit less on enunciation, for starters. It causes your narration to be less inviting, almost robotic. Use more contractions like "it's" instead of saying "it is" or "it was".
Also, practice speaking more conversationally, the way you would if you were simply sitting in a bar, talking with friends. It'll add warmth and draw the listener in. The way you're doing it now sounds more like you're reading a script, which you may well be, but again, it sounds robotic.
Overall, I found the video very accurate and informative. Just work on your presentation.
@@Rotorhead1651 1:40
I grew up watching Black Sheep Squadron. It wasn't supposed to be a documentary series, but the skilled portrayal of Major Boyington by Robert Conrad made a Pappy fan out of this kid.
Conrad's portrayal was the opposite of the real Pappy, but a real Pappy portrayal wouldn't have been safe for kids to watch 🤣🤣
I loved the show as a kid, but my dad, a WW2 Pacific Veteran couldn't help but always comment that the ground/hills/mountains shown during plane flying in the show were BROWN, hence southern california as he would point out. The South Pacific was all GREEN all the time. It didn't matter to me, I thought the Corsair was cool.
I live in castaic ca.they used to film black sheep near by, next to the Indian dunes motorcycle park.my brother and I would see the corsairs and zeros flying over the hills by our home.cool times.you could see some of the set driving on the highway 126 area
@@caseyhansen4567 Your brother and you would see Corsairs and T-6's flying. There! Fixed it for you.
Same here. Great show.
I got to meet Pappy Boynton before he died, at one time he was married to a friend’s mom when I was as in high school back in the early 70’s, her last name was “cox”. I would go over to their house just to hear his WWII stories and the F4U Corsair. He autographed the Corsair model that I built when I was a kid and I still have that to this day.
That is so cool, what a treasure. Hope you put it in a sealed acrylic case, with some zero's diving on fire....
Cool
Cool that you did, I was working for the Sheriff's Dept and he and his wife were living in our police district. We got regular calls from his wife that Pappy had wondered off. I used to know where he went so I along with other officer would always find him. Take him home and sometimes just stop to talk to him. He was a fun guy to talk to when sober. When drunk he could be a little unruly but always maintained his stature as a hero. I was always happy to talk to him and listen to his exploits. I had his book but never asked him to autograph it, I should have. I have met a lot of heros in my life time and he was one of the really. fun ones to be around, Since I was also a Vietnam Vet, he liked to know about the planes and what we did in the air and wished he could go back and fly some. I also had a Sgt who was one of the original Tuskegee Airmen. Good man, always quiet. He would come around to see Pappy as well and they would talk about the old days.
@@RAvery41 was that in Fresno?I got to see him at the air show around 1976 or so.he was autographing his book dressed in his flight uniform and Mar West preserver.he looked tough.Good stories guys.thank for treating him well.an America hero,the real thing
Sorry I hit wrong button.I meant to hit like sorry corrected
My dad was in two POW camps with Pappy Boyington (Ofuna and Omori). Because "Pappy" was never listed as a POW, he was presumed he was MIA/KIA. My dad (James D. Landrum ) and Norman Albertsen (both from the sub USS Grenadier) painted "Pappy Boyington Here" on the roof of one of the buildings which was photographed by a Navy plane that flew over Omori POW camp. The photo of the POWs waving flags (British, Dutch and American) when they were liberated shows my dad (waving the American Flag) and to his left is Norman Albertsen. James D. Landrum, Norman Albertsen, Raymond Jakubielski, and Lorenzio Mirizio made the American Flag in secret from Japanese bedsheets and colored pencils from American Red Cross packages in secret. The Flag is on display at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia. I have his diary and notes he made after returning to the States after the war.
Very cool!
One story that is sometimes told about Boyington is that he stole food from other prisoners while he worked in the kitchen at Omori. I hope it isn’t true. I wonder if your dad’s diary mentions anything about that.
BZ ! They were the great generation.
In "Unbroken" the book Zamperini mentions that Pappy & he were at the same camp at the same time. Gaga the duck was a sad portion mentioned with what the japs did to that lil creature. The bird, the quack, shithead etc were names of these disgusting individuals.
That's amazing
I met a surviving Black Sheep aviator who himself had 1 1/2 kills but had flown on Boyington's wing. He stated that the running joke was that Pappy couldn't take off without killing something. So many of his kills are documented by both wingmen and gun camera.
Giving the AVG tally as 2 and not 6 as an argument, his kills with VMF-214 were so well covered that revisionists' arguments against the tally really bother me. As far as character, Boyington once famously said, "Show me a hero and I'll show you a bum."
Sometimes, the "rough men" are the best ones to stand ready at the gates. Great production TJ.
Well said. I'm just glad Pappy was on our side!
@currentbatches6205 We know at least some of his kills were witnessed and verified and Corsairs did have gun cameras unlike the earlier P-40's. Imagine how many more kills he would have gotten if he had been sober! 🤣
@currentbatches6205 True enough, he was probably a total arrogant egotistical arsehole of a person on the order of a Curtis Lemay. But like Lemay, he did the dirty work and got the job done and didn't care what you thought about him.
@currentbatches6205 Drunk? Admittedly. Liar? What's your source? Mine was a face to face with a Black Sheep.
@currentbatches6205 Drunks and Liars have been some of our country's best. General Ulysses Grant. Astronaut "Buzz" Aldrin. Richard Nixon. William Bill Clinton. Lyndon Baynes Johnson. J Edgar Hoover. Judge Roy L. Bean. GW Bush. Etcetera......you know the deal.
I used to have a dog-eared copy of pappy Boyington’s book in my truck. I was working near the Everett airport during one of the fly-ins and pappy was at a table autographing books. I went back to my truck and got out the copy of the book. A man at the table tried to stop me, saying he was only autographing new books. Pappy looked at the book, and asked it I had really read it that many times. I said yes. He said what the hell and signed it. He asked me what my favorite part was. I said selling war bonds when you were drunk. He almost choked on his water. A great story teller and a good guy.
One of my favorites was the pissing contest, and I told him that. He got a good laugh.
I was there as well. Didnt get his book but was happy to meet him. It was a good airshow.
I was there as well. Didnt get his book but was happy to meet him. It was a good airshow.
I watched Black Sheep when I was in High school. I read his book a few years later. What a great read. Right there with you buddy.
I met Greg Boyington when I was eight/nine years old. I asked him at a meet and greet if he had helped with the planning of the raid on Adm Yamamoto. To say he and the room were shocked a little kid had asked the question, would be an understatement. Then to the shock and surprise of everyone in the room he said he had helped with the raid. The Army Air Force Pilots had never flown up what was called the "Slot" so they had no idea what landmarks to look for or how to budget their fuel needs. He walked the Army pilots through the raid, what Islands to look for and how they should thin their fuel and roughly what elevations they should fly at.
He said, "Kid Ive never told anyone that story. The whole operation was top secret. How the hell did you find this out?" I held up an old battered library book and showed him where he was mentioned. "I'll be God damned!'' when the lecture was over, he GAVE me a copy of his book and then went to Breakfast with my mom and me.
I met Pappy Boyington as a young boy during a book signing in an air show. Walked up with a friend who was getting his book autographed. But, one of the highlights of my childhood.
I too met him at an air show....I was 18yo. Asked him to sign a Bonzi head band that I had gotten the guy who shot down Pappy to sign too. Pappy refused, however he did sign a F4 post card for me. Saddly it was stolen years back. Anyway. Lololol, old man Pappy got in a fist fight with the Jap at a airshow too. Sometimes wars never end.
I meet “Pappy Boyington” at an air show in Madera Ca. I took a picture of him with my Polaroid camera. I asked him to autograph the photo and he grumpily suggested that I buy one of his books. I did and he autographed both. He was kind of abrasive.
J went a book signing when I was 15 or so. My dad said, "Ask him if he knew Duke Headman"(a Flying Tiger pilot from near my dad's hometowwn). Paooy said, "Sure, I know Duke!" I think hot an autograph on a piece of paper. Didn't have money for a book. He was cool with me. Maybe the "Duke" connection helped. Lol!
@@jimflys2 I’ve met a handful of WW2 fighter pilots, sometimes they like you and sometimes they don’t. 😂
I met Pappy Boyington, as a kid at a Air Show also, tried to get his autograph, he told me he could not .
Would really love a remake of Baa Baa Black Sheep. Also in case anyone's wondering VMF-214 is now VMFA-214 and flies the F-35 and before that the Harrier (as VMA-214).
There are SO many stories from WW2 that could be Hollywood movies that write themselves. The Flying Tigers is one, Black Sheep another, and the most dramatic is "Y-29" - an airbase in Belgium that took part in Germany's Boddenplatte opperation on New Years Day. Perhaps you've seen snippets of the History Channel's Dogfights series about Y-29 on that morning? It was the Luftwaffe's last effort, all at low altitude (fatal), and things ocurred that Hollywood could not come up with on their own. It was beyond strange and epic.
Well, at least we have "Masters of the Air" coming next year...
The Squdron is stationed at Marine Corps Air Station. Yuna, Arizona
I actually was able to meet Pappy Boyington when I was stationed in Hawaii back in the 70's
I would the Black sheep to come back on, I watched it and Loved it. Thank you for what you said.
No. They could never replace Red.
I met Boyington at an airshow in Topeka, Kansas. He was cordial. His wife was a delight, and clearly had him in tow. Years later, I was in Albuquerque New Mexico, and spoke to a woman who worked with the surviving Navajo code talkers. I met some of them, and it was an an experience of a lifetime. Few were left. The lady told me that one of Boyington’s friends came from the black sheep clan of the Navajo, and that was where the name Black sheep squadron originated.
That is awesome!
I think I heard something like that. Imagine owning 6 grand to A+P 😅
Le puntate della squadriglia delle Pecore Nere la facevano vedere in televisione.😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊Ok 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Hope you guys enjoyed! You might be thinking - But TJ, you should have covered more on the Black Sheep - and don't worry - I have something coming down the road on that. ;) I also somehow forgot to mention that Pappy, upon returning to the United States after being liberated, met with his Blacksheep pilots in a bar in San Francisco - just as he predicted. It was featured in Time magazine. Thanks for watching! See you guys next time!
I'm a good editor for gun cam footage
Bidennomics got ahold on you does it @@connormickle280
Yup, but it wasn't just any bar. It was the bar at the Waldorf Inn, which was considered to be a pretty swanky joint back in those days. One of the guys that joined the party to welcome Boyington back was none other than Joe Foss, and after a few drinks Boyington challenged Foss to a wrestling match. But before Foss could respond, Pappy attacked him like a tiger. And according to legend, the Black Sheep also got in on the action too and proceeded to wreck the place......The next morning, Foss was awakened by the sound of someone loudly pounding on the door to his suite, which only compounded his hangover. When he opened the door to see who was making all the racket, he was surprised, and somewhat amused to see that it was Pappy, challenging him to a "re-match" from the previous night's bout !
@@troybullard9631 think that I have heard the story
Go to Google Books Advanced Search to the October 1 1945 issue of Life Magazine and read the whole story.
I used to know Greg. I met him at 14 at the Planes of Fame museum and became friends and after 2 yrs intriduced him to my dad who was floored meeting his childhood hero . I was 14 in 78 and was friends til he passed fom cancer . I knew a side of him few ever did..
Pappy Boyington was a Friend of mine. In the early 1970s Pappy would tour Air Shows across the country selling his Book. Every yr we would visit the La Junta Co Air Show which no longer exists. He was a Short Man Full of life and Booze lol But Nice Guy. Loved the Man.
I was fortunate enough to open a cold can of Coors beer for Pappy while I was a Cadet at Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas back in the late seventies at the Harlingen Air Show. He was signing autographs and meeting folks and the man was thirsty. He was having a hard time with the pull tab from his condition so I helped him out. I wasn't about to judge the man; he was the stuff of legend at the Academy and it was like meeting John Wayne, except Pappy actually fought with his life on the line. Later that day he took a meal with us all in the Mess Hall. I still have the pictures in my yearbook from that year. It was an honor meeting the man.
Excellent
I had the honor of meeting Pappy Boyington in the mid-1970s. My landlord had been a Corsair mechanic in Pappy's unit. A true hero.
I saw Pappy riding in an open top convertible at the Reno air races in 1985, waving to the crowd. He got a standing ovation. I read his book as a kid. Whether he embellished his score or not, he was still a great pilot and an ace.
Truly a legend. I loved the show as a kid and that’s how I came to know who he was. Pappy’s name was listed in the credits as a technical consultant.
Col Boyington portrayed General Moore on the show.
@@vwalsh63 Simon Oakland was General Moore. Boyington made cameos as General Kenlay in three episodes.
I too have watch that show, and it was how I fell in love with the Corsair. Also, I have two different versions of Pappy's book in my military aviation book library.
Growing up The black sheep n pappy where my heros.and I loved n still do the F4 Corsair. I joined the Marines at 17 and ended up in VMFA 112 working on the F4 phantoms. Dream come true.
The same POW Camp had Lt Commander Richard O’Kane who was the Captain of the USN Tang. The Tang was the highest scoring Submarine American Submarine in WW II. O’Kane was also awarded the Medal of Honor and weighed under 100 pounds by the wars end.
My grandfather was an aircraft mechanic on the P40 Warhawk and stationed with General Chennault in Burma. He, like all veterans never discussed it with me as a kid. I am a Navy veteran and retired Army 1SG and was a Boys State Delegate. He was a post commander and lifetime member of the Legion. When I would come home on leave, he would take me the Legion Hall and parade me around. I felt weird as I was still young and on active duty but, it made him feel so proud. When he passed I inherited his WW2 American flag that was the flag flown at some point on their post. He was a great guy and was a huge fan of the P40 and the general.
BZ
“Just name a hero and I’ll prove he’s a bum”. RIP Pappy. A flawed man, but fighter.
The best quote from WW2 in my opinion.
All true fighters are flawed bums in a way. Those imperfections make the greatness of the man.
As a young LCpl i was stationed at MCAS EL Toro with VMA 211 Wake Island Avengers. Next to us was VMA 214. At the time both squadrons were flying the A4M. I got to meet Pappy and Masajiro "Mike" Kawato who claimed to have been the pilot who shot down Pappy. At the time Pappy was obviously very ill, but he signed my copy of Baa Baa Blacksheep and spent about 20 minutes chatting with me all the while him and Mike were talking trash to each other. Even though Mike Kawatos claim may be far fetched he was a fascinating man whose life and exploits would make for a great TJ3 episode.
My Dad was a UNITED STATES MARINE veteran & a County Sheriff. Inevitably I grew up around Sheriffs & Marines. I also grew up watching Black Sheep Squadron on TV, & PAPPY was a huge HERO of mine !!! Thus it was almost predestined that shortly after High School I made a straight course for The United States Marine Corps !!!
Semper Fi Pappy !!!
I just finished listening to "Baa Baa Black Sheep" on Audible about a month ago and what an amazing read/listen it was. Hearing about everything Boyington went through during his whole career from the AVG to his shoot down, capture and imprisonment was crazy. Definitely a recommendation from me. Something that I found interesting is how Boyington carried himself during his flights in the Corsair; He often trimmed out his aircraft into the course the flight was taking, and fell asleep for a time. He also had a lighter in his fighter and lit a cigar as he flew. His wingmen picked up on this and knew that if they saw him open his canopy and fling his cigar out, that meant it was time to attack.
How did you like the audio? I've heard that the audio speaker was so annoying (Amazon Audible) that it got low scores. But, maybe you and I are of the same mind when such things don't matter so much?
@@Jonno2summit The speaker wasn't bad in my opinion. He wasn't monotone to the point you'd fall asleep out of boredom and sounded like he knew his stuff. I could understand almost all of what he was talking about, maybe a couple of things were hard to hear, but that might have just been me as I listened to it mostly at my job to help pass the time.
@@stevegoesrogue Thank you for a quick reply. Probably like you, my stack of books is ridiculously high, and I enjoy audio books to augment that. So much to learn, so little time.
@@Jonno2summit No problem. Hope ya enjoy the book
I remember watching Baa Baa Blacksheep with my dad who was in the Marines during WWII. He was stationed at MCAB El Toro and had met Pappy Boyington. My dad's older brother played football for 3 seasons for the El Toro Flying Marines. He was in the backfield with Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch. Many of the games were played in the LA Coliseum in front of 40 to 50,000 fans. Loved listening to all of the stories of what happened during the War.
In 1985 I was an A4M Skyhawk electrician. I was with Marine squadron VMA 311. I then went to VMA 214 for 6 months on TAD. Those guys in 214 tried to keep the Blacksheep reputation alive. They had serious disciplinary issues compared to 311.
This legendary story of Pappy Bpyington is, without a doubt, my favorite from WWII. And YOU did a great job in telling it with excellent aerial footage!
This one was alot of fun to fly in. Seeing this posted is making a good day better. Appreciate all the hard work and fantastic content TJ, keep up the great work
Thanks for flying with us!
@@TJ3 Have You Ever Thought About Making A Video On The Japanese Ace Saburo Sakai?
I have Pappy Boyington's signature... Twice! When I was a kid my Dad took me to a Confederate Airforce Airshow and Pappy signed my CAF book as well as his autobiography!
I read his book several decades ago. Its a pretty decent book and worth reading. When he was captured by the Japanese he was beaten. He wrote that he was afraid of what the Japanese would do to him f they found out he was a famous Ace. When the Japanese did find out he was a famous Ace, he was surprised that they respected his accomplishment and treated him much better. He also talks about getting hold of some Saki while he was a POW.
Great job! I read so many WWII non fiction books. The Japanese really suffered veteran pilots losses with their carriers going down early in the war. That was a key factor in the US forces being able to dominate the air - especially with the Corsair :).
Good presentation. I might suggest a book by Mike Kawato named Bye Bye Blacksheep. Mike Kawato was the Japanese pilot who shot Major Boyington down. Fascinating book from the perspective of the other side. Mike Kawato went on to fly for JAL and had a long career. He and Major Boyington became friends and both ended up living in Washington State.
Somebody posted that the Japanese pilot "riceball?" Was real? Wow - I thought that was Hollywood! Now I seriously want to read this man's book - I would love to read his side!
My greatest fascination with WW2 has always been on the topic of aerial combat. I very much appreciate what you do.
I knew someone who was personally familiar with Col. Boyington. This individual claimed that he was not a pleasant man, whatsoever. However, he was certainly a brave and fearless fighter pilot.
Wars aren't won by politically correct shallow idiots. Those types are promoted in peace time, so never judge a veteran by current standards.
I can only imagine what it would have been like to be that young to go into a World War to operate the aircraft and do what needed to be done it was absolutely incredible to say the least just as far as the demand of a young person the skill set required and to think that most were in their early twenties or younger most young adults in today's age have no idea the sacrifices that have been made and take for granted the life we have been given because of the sacrifices I will never forget them and I absolutely love hearing the stories of these past war heroes I have lost plenty of friends and family to war and that's truly devastating and takes a special person to do what is necessary they shall never be forgotten
Another really interesting and overlooked ace in the VMF 214 was Chris Magee. He was the second highest scoring ace in the squadron and highly decorated. He ended up doing time in Federal prison for bank robbery.
well done vid. He's always been one of my heroes. The quote from him that always has stuck with me was " Show me a Hero and I'll prove he's a bum" I took that to mean that people should not worship heroes as something mythical but as flawed men as we all are. They are just in a place and time and did their job. You can applaud their actions but don't put them on a pedestal as perfect people because they're not, never will be, and just want to be treated (most of the time) as regular Joes when it's all over.
I watched the Black Sheep show on TV as a kid. The Corsair is my favorite warbird, looking forward to seeing it in DCS World.
As a kid Black Sheep Squadron was my show. Dreamed of being in the squadron with Pappy.
Love the Corsair, but my Grandfather flew P51’s. Still my favorite plane.
Another awesome video TJ3, honestly the best WWII aviation content on youtube. Thank you for making and sharing your work tj.
Thank you!
I always love your videos and this is one of the best yet! I loved watching the TV show "Baa Baa Blacksheep" with my dad, a highly decorated fighter pilot in Korea and Vietnam and I read the book when I was a freshman in high school. My dad encouraged my hero worship of Col. Boyington. Right after my dad (who flew combat as an F-100 and F-105 Wild Weasel) and a long with Major George E. Preddy, Col. Boyington is my favorite pilot.
At the end of the book, "Baa Baa Blacksheep" Col. Boyington paraphrased F. Scott Fitzgerald saying, "Name me a hero and I'll prove he's a bum."
Met em at an air show once. That was one time to many. He was rude and disrespectful and that is the nice way of putting it.
Lol sounds about right.
One of my uncles was on the camera crew for the filming of "Baa Baa Black Sheep" and on occasion would take me with him when they filmed.
"Pappy" had a few cameo parts in the show
He and Red West were on pretty good terms with each other and always having fun between takes.
The Corsair was known as "The Widow Maker" as it was a little bit difficult for new pilots to get used to flying.
The Japanese called it "The Whistling Death" due to the whistling sound caused by the gull inverted wings would cause a whistling sound when the plane was in a dive.
Met Pappy at the EAA Oshkosh back in the 80's. Robert Conrad he was NOT! LOL Had I known he was there I would have brought his book with that I had JUST finished reading. His POW account really stood out. Pappy would always take the worst plane so that the younger newer pilots always had better equipment to make it back home with.
There was no problem with smoking in WWII. Cigarettes were provided by the government as part of the daily ration. As to drinking, the word was and if you were off duty, "drink it, if you have it." FYI, I met Pappy in the mid 1970's and I read his book.
Got his autograph in his book at an airshow in Denver many years ago.
I got Pappy's autograph with his book "Baa Baa Black Sheep" back in the 1970s when he attended EAA convention and was selling his book. I was too young and intimidated to ask him about his stories or anything else. I wish I would have talked to him some.
back in the 70's, my dad got me a signed copy of the Pappies book. My dad is gone, but I still have the book....
@TJ3 History - At 15:21, you called the man Boyington replaced at the #1 spot "Thomas Eldorado". His name (as shown in the pictured article) was W.J. Thomas from Eldorado Kansas.
Ahh! I thought I read the article correctly. Apologies if I mixed that up.
@@TJ3 Also small Nit to pick and may not be your fault but the thumbnail for this article if from WWII is of a USAAC pilot although I suspect it is a still from a recent WWII movie about a group of pilots that are famous for having a perfect record while escorting bombers over the Reich.
A very unique group of heroes that neither the USMC nor USN had in their ranks.
Thank you so much for this, & moreso, for helping our next generations appreciate what our "Greatest Generation" did for us. I met Pappy Boyington once as an elderly man. He was still tough & gruff as hell... My Dad & 4 of 5 uncles served in WWII (the 5th in Korea), & their mothers, fathers, & sisters served & sacrificed so much at home. I chose a career to teach history to honor of them & all our generous ancestors who deserve so much of our humble gratitude.
I wrote an essay about Pappy Boyington about a week before this video came out and I thought that it was so cool that one of my favorite youtubers made a video about someone I just wrote about😄😄
You need to read his book. He didn't simply gain weight because he couldn't drink. He lost weight. Going below 100 pounds. He only gained weight when he got a job in the kitchen where he stole food. He ate handfulls of pure lard. Pig fat. and that's how he gained weight, not from not drinking.
Boyington freely admitted he exaggerated his war stories. “I gave ‘em what they wanted to hear”. He is a complex and fascinating character. And an aggressive and skilled combat leader. Read Bruce Gamble’s Black Sheep One for interesting insight to a great American.
What do You mean His Smoking was tolerated? Dude We're Talking about the 1940's, Everybody Smoked...
😂😂 yep, everybody smoked and all the time and everywhere...
Unbelievable for the woke crowd today.
@@stscc01 The doctor's offices had ashtrays!
We have Boyington Field in Coeurd'Alene Idaho.
He was actual from Coeur d'Alene
My mom was a Marine during the war and she ordered parts for the Corsair in the States. Also my dad was a survivor from the battle of Midway. He used to work on the Corsairs. He was a CPO. Odd that he and my mom met each other. Thanks to all that had served during this crazy war in the South Pacific. My dad was on the USS Yorktown.
The repeated references to "his drinking and smoking" are sort of oblivious to the facts of the age. Maybe the drinking was out of line, but as far as I can tell, everyone smoked at that time. Even when I was a kid in the '70s adults were smoking all around me. Cigarettes were included in WWII rations.
Cigarettes were in my rations in 1976
How was his smoking any type of an issue? Was he throwing butts around instead of using an ashtray?
@@xtxt9135 Not sure why it was mentioned at all. Some people like to pad their narration with interesting, but dubious, "facts"..
Not mentioned here is that he lost 5 P-40s while with the AVG, several of them in stupid or drunken accidents. The other AVG pilots called him a “Japanese ace” since he had 5 P-40s destroyed. He was known for getting drunk and starting fights and not being fit for missions.
A known fabricator of air to air victories, his actual total is much lower than claimed.
Smear campaign is only a reflection on you.
Pappy was a staple at the EAA Convention in Oshkosh WI in the 70s and 80s.
TJ My Friend I Was Not Expecting You To Make A Video About Pappy Boyington. Thank You So Much For This Video. God Bless!
Growing up my Dad was into photography. Our local camera shop was run by Grag Boyington's unit Photographer. Pappy was my hero. I was able to get an autographed picture that read Happy Landings to my wing man Mac. Signed Grag "Pappy" Boyington.
I've now been a Pilot and Flight Instructor for nearly 40 years. Thanks for the inspiration Pappy.
This video is a great reminder of some stories I'd heard long ago about Pappy Boyington, & some new ones, too.
Great narration of his career! Was truly captivating as you spoke!
Here is where things get sticky. The reason the AVG only counted 2 kills for Boyington, is because 3 where ground kills. I.E. he strafed them. So they where not air to air kills. So in my eyes, he never broke Foss's record.
As a Marine aviator I 💯 endorse this video…the only detail you left out was that those disputed China victories…4 of them were fighters he shot down AS they lifted OFF the runway…his fellow aviators thought these victories shouldn’t count because “they were barely off the ground” …so yeah, dude was a G and makes me proud to call myself a Marine
Haha that's awesome. Thanks!
@@TJ3 a mistake he would never repeat so much so that (another fun fact), Gregory Boyington learned enough Japanese to talk trash to them and call them to come up and fight over the radio … and he promised he wouldn’t fire a single shot until they were airborne… There are reports of Japanese pilots, who not only knew who Gregory Boyington was, but had a tremendous amount of respect for him, because he wanted a fair fight.😂 he promised them an honorable death in service of their empire 😏 ….Fn A
i heard that the planes were destroyed on the ground
This is such a great story and is told super well by the TJ3 history dude. Read Boyington's book many years ago and it should be made into a movie!
I loved Naval history and was in Navy. I finally met a Corsair aviator in mid 80s. He was in Pacific in last few months of the war and said he never saw a Japanese plane as they had been wiped out. The planes at that time were beautiful
Thanks for the story! It's refreshing to see such an abrasive and never compromising attitude would excel in these difficult time, giving us the less-socialable ppl an inspiration.
I remember watching Black Sheep Squadron as a teenager on the History Channel and LOVING it. This is awesome. I remember from the show that there was a Japanese ace that he could never quite get the best of, I don't know if he ever did, but they had a rivalry, again, at least in the show.
my family’s Tax Man,(he had his business in Garden Grove California for decades ) , told me before his death that he was a mechanic in the Black Sheep squadron. I just saw his tattoos and his pictures, but i never made the connection. He was a mechanic the last few years in the Pacific and when they moved the unit to El toro after the war. He clearly remembered the massive amounts of bullet holes in the American planes- saying the Zeros were more maneuverable, but American had better pilots. He said all the other pilots would speak about how good Pappy was, and they all absolutely revered him.
Pappy was an advisor to the TV show Black Sheep . Often he would clash with Robert Conrad (2 big egos) Conrad said that he would vent on him , he told Pappy that he wished that he could have been in the squadron himself !
Pappy retorted “I wish you were too !”
Conrad
“ Why ?”
Pappy
“So I could kick
your ass !”
My civics teacher use to play our class the actual fighter recordings of Gregory Pappy Boyington in some of his Corsair Dog Fights. Then, I remember the Black Sheep Squadron TV show that I never missed a program !!! Pappy had one colorful character & military career !!!
🇺🇲🙏
Thank you so much for that vidyou. I really enjoyed it. My voice felt like the country should be proud. To have a man like Gregory pappywarrington. He was a true fighter, a hero and a Patriot, He was another one of the greatest generation never thank you gregory pappy boring
I received his autograph back in the 80's at an air show in California! Tough little guy! He was sitting next to Joe Foss.
I also got his autograph and shook his hand in California. Can't remember the year It was at the Chino airport. Bought one of his books which has his autograph.
Same here, along side of R.T. Smith Madera Ca, Gathering of Warbirds. I think it was 1988. I also met the crew at Indian Dunes while filming the TV show. Conrad was okay, but James Whitmore Jr. was the nicest.
2 bad ass Marines
@@tonyd1031 Same here. It was August. 16 1987! Sadly, the Colonel passed away 5 months later on January 11th,1988.
@@philgiglio7922 Roger that! Semper Fi Marines.
Awesome video! I too was and still am a fan of the Black Sheep tv show. At the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum located by the Dulles Airport in Virginia they have a F4U Corsair hanging as you walk in. Bring a pair of binoculars with you and look up into the Starboard side main wheelwell and you will see his signature. A curator told me the story that he was invited to dedicate the F4U and then climbed in and attempted to start it and also signed his name in the Starboard wheelwell. True or not, but his signature is there. He is buried in Arlington to the left side (if memory serves) behind of the Tomb of the Unknown along with Joe Lewis and Lee Marvin. Awesome man!!!!!!!
As of his time with the flying tigers his 6 victory which amounted to two air victories and four ground victories that he did actually. get and I was lucky enough to meet pappy twice at two different air shows, great man and also met a handful of Black sheep at the air show in Oshkosh !!!
The five aces in the first battle was something they duplicated on Baa Baa Black Sheep TV show. Robert Conrad did a good job playing him. The real pappy was a show advisor.
What the narrator didn’t say, was the fact Pappy wasn’t a drinker or smoker, until he used his real last name and went to flight training. Pappy was a fighter, no doubt! He was exactly what a Marine was/is, but the Corps will never admit Marines are that way.
I know first hand!
RIP/Semper Fi Pappy!!!
BZ. Well said.
Boyington was exactly the type of soldier that our enemies didn't want to face - whether in the air, sea, or land. He was a troublesome type of character and, therefore, trouble for our enemies. Our enemies saw Americans as soft and weak, but they learned quickly that the US Military actually allowed some renegades to do their business in combat. Boyington was one of thousands in that regard. We even had renegade leaders and Generals. Our enemies found us to be unpredictable in this fassion. I have always said that the differences in Military Command Structure is why the US kicked so much ass in WW2. The old addage of "cut off the head and you kill the snake" did NOT work with the US Military!
Well said. BZ.
I have a great signed painting print of Pappys Corsair. I built airplanes for a living and used to go to Oshkosh every year for the EEA fly in. I was lucky because my boss was good friends with a lot of the people involved in aviation. Including Bob Hoover!! It was always a great time up there and Pappy used to be there for quite a few years.
Thanks for creating this! I truly enjoyed your work here.
Years ago I spent much time in creating repaints for FSX Corsairs, and in doing so I researched each and every repaint. Of course, I did one of Boyington's more famous planes plastered with kill marks on the side. But I learned that this was NOT "his plane". That was just a publicity photo shoot. He never had a specific Corsair as his own. In fact, he would challenge his ground crews by taking the most troublesome plane in the flight as "his" for that day. As a leader, he flew the "weakest plane" in the flight that day. Makes me shake my head... What an incredible leader! No wonder those flying under him said they would do anything for him or die for him.
we've sunk so low in our culture that we just straight up sell fake autographs....
"Regular smoking" is an odd thing to say ,everyone smoked back then !.
Lol true. Perhaps "More than regular" smoking
Was "kiff" his thing?.@@TJ3
"There are exceptions, of course, but as a general rule, I never trust a fighting man who doesn't smoke or drink." - William Halsey
In Pappy's defense, he argued with Gen. Chennault that he was to get paid for planes destroyed. The contract stated pay was for planes destroyed. Boyington said he did destroy planes on the ground.
Some accounts say a couple of planes were on the takeoff roll when they were destroyed; I could almost count that as a kill. Those planes had begun their mission.
This video has a few things to be addressed. It is obvious where the creator of the video was headed.
The TV show "Baa Baa Black Sheep" was active when I was in highschool, back in the 70s. One of the teachers there, Mr. Olsen, was an expert on WW2, and specifically, on the pilots and aces of the time. According to him, Boyington, while a legitimate Ace, was shot down fairly early in the war, and spent the rest of it in a Nipponese P.O.W. camp.
The VMF 214 was not a “new” squadron. In fact, the 214 had already flown two combat tours out of Guadalcanal in F4F Wildcats, and their nickname was “The Swashbucklers.” While the 214 was on leave in Australia after their second tour, their squadron number was reassigned, for unknown reasons, to Boyington and a group of replacement pilots awaiting assignment to other squadrons.
I met Pappy twice once in 85 and again in 86. Quite the character.
Loved Pappy until I learned he wouldn’t smuggle food out of the kitchen he worked in to help fellow POW’s. Pappy actually gained weight while others withered away. Semper Sad.
My dad worked for Grumman and we loved to watch BAA BAA Blacksheep together. He watched the show mainly for those awesome planes. Also, someone should make a remake of that great series.
Wow, what a hero, I make sure the kids in my school know these heros.
Great footage and realistic Arial tactics, I always admired Pappy.
I’m not an “autograph” guy, but I have two: Pappy Boyington when he signed his book for me at the Reno Air Races, and General Chuck Yeager, when he was a key note speaker at some training I attended.
A true hero. Excellent storytelling!
I had the great honor to see him in person in San Diego, CA for an air show at Brown Field around 1985,'86 or '87 ( can't remember which year.)
I have two of his books that are autographed.
My mom got to ride in one of the Corsairs used in the t.v. show.
I on the other hand only got to ride in a T-6 trainer.😢
His pilots called him Gramps and he was a great tactician and mission planner who trained his lads well.
Greg Boyington was born about 40 miles northwest of here but went to school here in this little north Idaho town. There's a couple of plaques around town dedicated to him and the airport over in Coeur D'Alene is named after him. They didn't cover it well in this video but the original 6 planes he claimed while in China they say 4 of them were still on the ground. According to other reports , they were taking off so should be counted in his total kills, I agree.
He wasn't a great man but he was just the man needed at the time!
Several years ago I was part of an American Legion security team at the local annual air show. The show honors including reunion went to the Black Sheep. The Marines were still flying in his honor. They sent a Harrier flying unit from their pilot school in Yuma, Arizona. It was quite a weekend.
their pilot school in Yuma, Arizona. It was quite a weekend
A couple of significant facts that were omitted from the video: Col. Boyington earned a BA in aeronautical engineering in 1934 before he joined the Marine Corp and Col. Boyington was a Native American.
My father was a navigator/top turret gunner with the Army Airforce 8th in England. An Air Medal with clusters is more than enough heritage for me
Cosair-fighter was a fast plane with the Grumman engine, the same as Hellcat and Wildcat-fighters. It is a long length-wing span susceptible to ground-to-air fire because of its size of the Cosair-wings.