Greg "Pappy" Boyington on "To Tell The Truth"
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- Опубликовано: 22 янв 2009
- Originally aired July 2, 1957, (disregard the flubbered title work) and shown on the Game Show Network December 27, 2008. GSN provides tons of classic and modern game shows and has an awesome online gaming site.
I do not own the copyright of this material. This video appears by Permission of the Game Show Network. 
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I'm going to pin this here to clear something up. Many well meaning comments insist that military members are *REQUIRED* to salute the MoH recipient. Some have, over the years, suggested that Pappy lied when he was sworn "To Tell the Truth". Obviously that answer deflected at least some of the panelists.
The saluting of a MoH recipient by military personnel is *NOT* a regulation, law or in any other codified language. It is a tradition. It is highly encouraged (practically speaking you'd better) and anyone worthy of even a modicum of respect will render a salute, regardless of rank. It is thought that it's required by so many people and that's what made Pappy's response truthful yet elegantly misleading.
"Required" is very specific.
Kyle- servicemen salute the RANK, not the man. Thus they do not salute an MoH recipient. They will show the utmost respect for the person wearing it of course. However, the ONLY way to know if someone had been awarded that medal is if they are wearing their ribbons or medals. That is, dress uniforms. The military is a tactical grouping of men and women so they wear appropriate attire and nothing as garish as medals.
@@ghandtlg5898 You are correct sir. Yet there is a tradition of saluting a MoH recipient which, as you pointed out requires dress uniforms and is typically attached to a ceremonial circumstance. That said, so many people have commented here that it is required and for that reason Pappy cheated. Some by implication and some out and out write the same. Thus this pinned comment.
Is it at least possible that Pappy was being totally truthful? 1955 was two years before I was born, but even in my days as a Marine officer I never heard that it was a tradition to salute MOH recipients. How common could this tradition have been in 1955? Anyone know? Every other answer by Pappy seemed totally candid and honest and I see no reason why he would want to try to be dishonest here.
@@mediamannaman He was completely truthful, Hy Gardner (IIRC) asked if it was required. Pappy answers with words to the effect of, "Not that I know of." That through Hy off and he voted incorrectly. I suspect Kitty had an idea when he answered he'd met Margaret Chung. As @Ghand TLG pointed out that it would require their wearing of a dress for someone to even know that they were a MoH recipient.. if they didn't know that about them.
Traditionally the president salutes first when he hangs the medal on the recipient. That's about as disparate of a ranking as you can get. It is a tradition in limited circumstances but its not like the military officers goes around rendering salutes to privates because they're aware of their MoH.
Many will mention his drinking habits, or the doubts on his tally, I say that a man who fought against Japan in China, then was handed command of a Corsair squadron, then went to a Japanese pow camp, and who came out of all this alive, deserves every form of respect, so he has mine.
I completely agree , Lincoln sent grant a keg of whiskey , as long as he wins battles , out of my oun
Pocket I would give papa boyington a 5th of the best whiskey money could buy.
He's not the only world war 'll hero I would stand for a drink , with pride.
Pappy was tough guy he was in a POW camp where torture and starvation was the norm he said his health improved because he wasn't able to drink so much alcohol.
@@Mike-01234
It takes what it takes the program says.
Pappy is the perfect example of the requirements for high office. Technical skills and management… Pappy was much loved by his men but a hopeless manager
What Pappy went thru would drive anyone to drink to feel better. Screw the naysayers, they probably never fought for our freedom like he did.
Boyington once joked that he was the only POW whose health improved while in Japanese captivity, he said "They kept me sober for a year and a half."
In his memoirs, Boyington remarked that he was treated well by an elderly "grandmother"-type woman who would sneak to him extra food and necessities. In fact, if I recall correctly, Boyington gave her most of the credit for being able to survive being a POW for almost two years.
His autobiography was mostly about his struggle with alcohol. He certainly was a hero.
In Marine Corps boot camp we would always say, "Goodnight, Chesty, wherever you are".
The people in that audience more than likely didn't have a clue who Gregory "Pappy" Boyington was or the pure hell he went through to preserve American freedom. What a truly brave and tough man he was.
Goodnight, Pappy, wherever you are and Semper Fidelis, my big brother!
I bet the people in the audience did know and respect who he was, The war was only 10 years over and likely many of the men in the audience had served during the war.
Semper Fi
I idolized him as a kid, but he wasca drunk bs artist.
@@glennrishton5679 okay, I give up. How did you know he was at boot camp in '55?
@@teller1290 Oh that is easy to answer. I didnt say that.
The TV show was from 1955.
I met Greg Boyington in the summer of 1978, at a lecture he gave at UNLV. I was 12 years old. after his lecture he had a question and answer period. half the room was full of Navy Brass and the other half Marines. My mother and I were the only civilians in the hall. Most of the questions revolved around different fighting techniques used against the Japanese. I finally had a chance to ask my question. "Did you give the information briefing to the Army pilots who shot down Yamamoto?" I think every eyeball in the place turned my way. There was a long pause... "Well yes son I did. But I don't think I have spoken about since that day." All eyes became riveted on Col Boyington. He went on to explain his part in their mission briefing, how to ration their fuel and what the local landmarks would look like to help them with their navigation. After his lecture was over he gave me a copy of his book and invited myself and my mother out for breakfast. (The lecture started at 7:00 AM) which we happily accepted. He lead a rough and tumble life. But he earned his honor and dignity in the end. RIP he was at the end of it all a good man to have known and spent time with.
@David Baker, since I have posted this little rinky dink capture from the GSN I have heard some powerful stories related by commentators. His very granddaughter (step granddaughter?) has honored me with an exchange and has privately sent me videos of Pappy reading to his grandkids. I have heard from Black Sheep and many, many people that had their lives touched by the great Greg Boyington.
Then, every once in a while, a powerful account of his exploits or someone's especially special encounters with him. I have met and talked with a squadron mate and sometimes wingman and have heard from aviators that knew him. So after nearly 800K views, one might expect that I wouldn't be impressed or surprised by the revelation(s) of someone who deigned to honor me with a view *AND* take the time to comment.
This is historical gold. I had no idea of his involvement in that coups but then, who else was better equipped to brief on ranges, locations, waypoints and tactics. Thank you so much. I think, once life stabilizes I'll put together a VLOG of the most impactful comments on my post. Yours will be right up there. What a fantastic learning point you have provided.
I am jealous of your actually meeting him and grateful that you have shared that meeting with me. Thank you.
@@KyleCowden my pleasure. He went on to describe the color coded paper they used for secret and top secret orders/information. Yellow vs Pink. The Commander of the Army Squadron showed him his orders and asked for help. I grew up in Las Vegas and had a middle school librarian who had a collection of books on WWII. She ended up giving them to me. In one of those books there was the story from a newspaper reporter who wrote about the mission post death of Yamamoto.
That's a great memory. Thank you for sharing it
Awesome! He was one of my childhood heroes. Up until the day he died I would have given my left testicle to be invited to a meal by this man. My dad flew Mustangs in Korea, but truth be told I would have given my other testicle to fly a Corsair
I grew up watching Baa Baa Black sheep as a boy. I joined the USMC out of high school. After boot camp and A school I was stationed at MCAS Yuma Az and attached to VMA214 Black Sheep Squadron. As a boy I dreamed of being a US Marine and being a Black Sheep. I got to live my childhood dream. Thank you Pappy for leading and being the CO of a bunch of hell raisers. Semper Fi! To my Marine brothers and to my VMA214 Family.
Pappy Boyington, what a legend. Seeing him on TV in 2022 is such a treat.
In the early 80's I went to the warlord meet at Madera, CA. In the row of vendors was a tent with Pappy selling and signing his book. A couple of tents down was Saburo Sakai ,Japanese ace, doing the same. Every once in a while one or the other would step out and hurle insults at the other. "I SHOT YOU DOWN,, YOU COULDN'T HIT THE BROAD SIDE OF A BARN" ,ect. At the end of the airshow my buddy's and me stayed around and got drafted to help push airplanes around. When all was done and we were walking back to our car , off to one side saw Pappy and Saburo climbing into the same motor home. Always remembered that. Shared experiences build strong bonds even among former enemies
Great story!! Thanks for sharing that!! The brotherhood of arms!!
Great post and thank you! Most don’t have a clue about Boyington, much less Saburo Sakai.
And that is why I love war heros. It is all perspective. But at the time they both were willing to die. I think to do what they loved (flying, and let's be honest shooting down other planes). Anyone who risks their life to follow intuition is definitely grokking reality. Or ignoring it. Same thing (hint you worriers). Poppy is my new hero, for today. And Saburo.
This should be pinned as the last comment, perfect point to end the 'discussion' on Papy as well as any war heroes legacy.
TY
That same time period he was at MCAS El Toro signing autographs and little kid blurted out how many kills you have Pappy? He calmly replied we called them “victories” back then son. Wish I could have spoken more with him but he was real popular then.
Pappy is one hero from WWII I wish I could have met. I've read his book 3 times over the years. You might be gone Pappy, but you are never forgotten. My salute to you. Semper Fi!
He signed my book.
Drunken, conniving, fighting but a hell of a pilot
Pappy fought in WW II
@@stevestringer7351 pappy also fought in every bar he went to.
I met him once in the early 80's at an airshow. I talked with him for about 10 minutes and no idea who he was. Greg was my childhood hero (still is) but I thought he looked like Robert Conrad for some strange reason. lol
Despite his shortcomings, I’m sure as hell glad he was on our side
We all have shortcomings, none of us are prefect.
Shortcomings? Lived through hell of war hell of being a POW and in Japan which is extreme and being a real hero. Who knows what went through his mind each day and I'm sure drinking helped
What shortcomings. That's what makes him phenomenal! Semper Fi!
Maybe what some view as shortcomings are just another way to justify your lifestyle? He was a human. He lived. I hope he enjoyed it, and given his credits I think he did. You don't do what he did if you do not fully understand it, and to me, fully understanding something is living. Why be in the dark? Folks who live in the dark just point fingers, what else is there to do. Pointing is not the same as having direction.
Sometimes shortcomings have an advantage.
He hated desk duty so much, he had someone else do all the squadron paperwork so when he was interrogated, he had nothing to tell.
Col. Boyington was a real-life hero of mine, I used to love the TV series "Black Sheep Squadron back in 1977-8 and used to watch it regularly.
Did you know he played Gen Harrison Kenlay in 3 episodes
Col "Pappy" Boyington will always be a hero in my book!
His fellow pilots didnt appreciate how downtime was portrayed from what I heard.
We still watch it now on the free TV
" We are poor little lambs who have lost our way ! "
I met Pappy Boyington in the 80s at a Reno Pylon Racing event. What a outstanding United States Marine. It was men like him that kept me free as a child. Thank You Major Boyington.
I met him in 1977 at El Toro.
B O Y I N G T O N
Get his name right.
I was in VMFA -214 Black Sheep (A-4s Sky Hawks) at that time in 71-72 USMC Aviation Ordnance...
@@wehrewulf of OO o lol Koo Koo ok OO OO
hey thats what I said when dump got elected
I met Mr. Boyington at the EAA air show when I was around 10 years old, where he signed my book of WWII fighter aircraft. My dad kept telling me who he was and what he had done, and I was so star-struck, I don't think I said a word!
Same here, I met him at the then Champlain air museum in Mesa Az.. Great guy with plenty of stories for a 12 yo kid he didn’t need to give the time a day to.
I met him in Reno at the air races.
I met him several times there too...He was a Man's man for sure also met the man that shot him down
Do you still have the book?
There are a class of men I'll never insult. Pappy is in that class.
so other than them, you insult everyone else?
@@RubyBandUSA That's not a bad question. Normally I avoid such troll like comments. Answer is I never insult real soldiers. However, in life most people are clueless. Most are also ignorant, severely under-educated, naive or criminal. Justly, some minority of people are truly good humans and have found real wisdom or are slogging out the journey the majority avoid. Now, I answered you honestly. It's your turn for introspection and honesty with me. Which category are you in?
@@RubyBandUSA what a stupid question....get a girlfriend or a hobby to occupy your time
Every American owes a debt of gratitude to these men for the sacrifices they made for us. Pappy is among the greatest aviators of all time.
What a true American hero that deserved the recognition and praise he received. Wish there were alot more like him today.
We need Heroes today as much as we did then. Pappy was a shining example.
And now we got Fuckhead celebrities
At that point the guy was a real living legend. My dad was a Sea Bee in the Philippines and we watched this episode. Totally impressed.
Met Pappy in the 80’s not long before he passed. I was just a kid, but I still have that autograph today. He was truly a great warrior.
Surprised the audience didnt give Pappy a standing O...I certainly would have.
different time back then studio audiences were encouraged to applaud but not get too raucous as these things were basically filmed live and there wasn't the technology to edit as much out as can be done today. i'd be shocked if Pappy was treated in any way other than as he deserved to be. (and yes i agree with his deserving a huge round of applause)
Good or bad in his personal life, to me and every American I am proud to know he was part of our fighting force and Thank you Pappy
My father was a Marine on Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian. On Guadalcanal he saw Pappy’s counterpart Joe Foss another Ace. Dad was in awe of the fighter pilots. Years later I was at a gathering of Pacific theater fighter pilots and each told me they were in awe of the Marines fighting sometimes hand to hand in the jungle
Ordinary men did extraordinary things
I met him when I was 8 years old at Glenview Naval Air Station... I said "Mister can I shake your hand?" He looked me square in the eye and shifted his Kool cigarette from one hand to the other and shook my hand... I will never forget that.
Just ran across this video while browsing. Gotta add my 2 cents: went through the MarCad program as a cadet (L/Cpl rank) in '60-'61. Got my wings in Dec '61 and was assigned to MAG-12 in Hawaii. Upon arrival there I was assigned to VMA-214 Blacksheep. After checking in I was told to get ahold of a book "Baa Baa Blacksheep" as a required reading item for all newbies checking in. That was my introduction to Pappy's bio. Long story short". Did a 3 year tour as a Blacksheep and went overseas to Japan in '65 and from there down to Nam on my 1st tour there. While there, Pappy somehow finagled a ride to ChuLai where the Blacksheep were flying combat missions in the A4 Skyhawk. I had the privilege of shaking his hand at a happy hour one night. Every pilot there at that time made sure to meet and greet Pappy. It was a great morale boost for him to be there. What a treat to actually shake the hand of a legend in my time. Will never forget that. RIP and Semper Fidelis, Pappy!😢
I also met 'Pappy' at an airshow on Long Island which was under a deluge of rain. He was selling his book from a booth in a hangar and my daughter and I spotted him and introduced ourselves as fervent fans of the "Baa, Baa, Black sheep" series, just going into it's nearly cancelled second season. I asked him why NBC was so reluctant to go ahead with the series and he replied, best as I recall, "...Awgh, those guys wear their pants too tight..." He was serious, I don't remember us chuckling!
whalesong999.
Pappy a was a great Marine and fighter pilot as well.
Semper Fi Pappy, and RIP MY BROTHER.
I met Pappy Boyington in 1977 at the Oshkosh Air Show. I was only 9 years old but I was a huge fan of the TV show based on his book and I had a copy of the book with me. He graciously autographed the book and was very personable. He seemed much larger than life to a kid that age. He was a true war hero as were many others from that generation. Today's youth can't imagine the sacrifice those men gave to this country.
Show me a bum, and I'll show you a hero.
Read his book if you haven't.
A true pleasure to view this clip.
Thank you.
@USA#1 !! & it's his modification of an already existing saying coined by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
@@Plisken65 yep...that's correct.
I got to spend a good amount of time with Pappy when I was 10 yrs old. He knew my best friends dad was a member of the Confederate Air Force. He stayed with them in my hometown back in 78. We went to Pine Bluff, Ar and stayed at the Holliday INN. We went to an air show there. We stayed 4 days . My friend and I bought toy machine guns. We were messing around with them. Pappy was sitting smoking in a radio shack type office at the airport. He ask for one of the guns. Pappy played combat with me. Ha! what a hoot!! He stayed at the same hotel with us. I also met Ensign George Gay there. He was shot down at Midway and was dipicted in the movie. Wonderful man. The last night we stayed I saw Pappy in a very sad state. He was being dragged to his room, stumbling drunk. My hero fell a bit that night. My own dad was an alcoholic and I thought famous pple would not do that. As I grew and got older, i realized what he went through. Also, his family had suffered for it Im sure. His grandson stayed with us. He was not a very nice kid at the time. I am now 50 yrs old. Been through a career, cancer, disability. I can understand why people can crack. Papp was a prisoner of war. He was one tough man, but weak in other ways. Ive had the priviledge of meeting Gen. Paul Tibbits of the Enola Gay, got to ask questions about the bomb and Oppenheimer. Great, nice man. I consider myself blessed to have met these ordinary me that did extraordinary things. They were just guys who served and did what they had to. May God grant them peace in eternity.
Bombasticbuster Wow! What a memory to have. My “celebrities “ have always been aviators. And I have met a lot of them.
My dad, Col. Norman Walker is such a hero but few know his name. Turns out though, he knows a lot of my hero’s and I have several personally inscribed and autographed books thanks to him.
Thank you for sharing. Col. Boyington’s grand daughter has commented on here. Very nice lady.
Thank you for mentioning George Gay, the "Lone Survivor of Midway. What VT-8 did at Midway has always been downplayed by the USN. Not once did I meet someone while on active duty who knew ANYTHING about Midway. John Doey Waldron (ex IC2-USN-Desert Storm/Shield)
A lot of them suffered from PTSD
My dad was taken POW on Battan and did 31/2 years
They were eye greatest generation for sure
Definitely!:)
Bombasticbuster, I was at the same airshow in Pine Bluff Ar. I met Pappy, and got George Gay's autograph. They were definetly, the greatest generation.
This was great! Boyington was a true hero.
My goodness..!!! I had no idea that I would come across Pappy Boyington...I am Australian..my mother taught us how desperate the situation was in our country during WW2...and how we depended on U.S. forces..as well as our own..I remember reading about Pappy..and through Anzac Day marches and documentaries I have always followed the men and women who were heroes...And, I admit to a passion for flying .. as a passenger in whatever aircraft I can get..You will always have my utmost respect Pappy..as do all the men and women fighting nowadays..we owe you a lot...
I am sad that people like him were almost forgotten after only 12 years.
The internet has made sure their sacrifices can never be forgotten.
Agreed
AMEN to that!
pauljohnson7may I remember Pappy from the tv show starring Robert Conrad
Teri Anne Beauchamp
Back in the '70's, right?
Wow, I'm surprised too. 1950's .... John Wayne played Claire Chennault in the movie "Flying Tigers"
Soldiers are people, too. RIP Pappy and thank you so much for your service.
That man was NOT a soldier he was a MARINE....
Calling a Marine a "Soldier" is an Insult....the Army has Soldiers...
In the 80s when I was in the Marines I was in a squadron, everyone wanted to be in VMA 214. The Black sheep. Pappys old squadron. I ended up in 311 Tomcats. A pretty cool squadron. The baseball player Ted Williams flew in our squadron in Korea.
There was a benefit to being smallish as a fighter pilot. Easier to get in and out of tight spaces like a cockpit.
In 1969, I enlisted in the Marines and was assigned to the newer VMA 214. They had an old sheep outside the office building until it went deaf. Very interesting job with some excellent Marines as co-workers in the "Blacksheep"Squadron. Never heard about the history till I began working there.
@@windsorpatb you guys were in A4s at that time. In the 80x we were STILL flying them
I was Aviation Ordnance VMFA 214 '71-'72 USMC...A-4 Sky Hawks (Scooters)
When he said Idaho, knew it was him. Met him when I was a young kid on the Farm.
Me and Gramps saw a white Piper landing on the dirt road in the middle of our 100 acre field.
No noise all quiet!
We drove out there and he was sitting on a wheel having a smoke.
Gramps asked him what happened. He blushed and said with a Chuckle...Ran out of Gas! LOL
After he said his name Greg my gramps told me to shake his hand.
Said we had a legend with us?!
After the plane was full of gas. He took both if us up for a ride. Was strange looking down at the Farm. But still strong in my mind, was how nice this Man WAS!!
my uncle Frank Tinker was a friend of Pappy Boyington and also a ww2 pilot .
he was in the same prison camp at the same time as Pappy & Louie Z.(unbroken) they were friends
i think there is a few Popular Mechanics on the web where Frank wrote for them and had some stories.
Frank would visit us in the summer on his way to see his war buddies. He would tell us about his helping friends patrol the AZ border on horseback for smugglers and illegal border crosser's
that was in the 80's and to this day we still have a border issue...
That's a great story.
@@wowiezowiepowie Thanks for sharing that story!
My God you luck bugger! Thanks for sharing the story.
WOW!
I saw him at the Reno Air Races in 84.There was alot of people trying to see him up close, I was one of them... He was signing his book & on the other end of the table was the Col. who shot him down.He was a great Am.,pilot,hero.He didn't like term,but he certainly was one &a fine example of same.I always regretted not getting his autograph...He said it was 28 &I believed him...
Guy was a friggin legend even in 1955.
This is some nice footage of Pappy Boyington. There aren't a lot of pictures of him on the internet. I wouldn't read too much into his "treatment" on the show. That was their format, and he was probably happy to participate. One helluva Marine.
The panel would often chat with contestants after the show.
While I never had the honor of meeting him, in 2016 I did meet Lt. Col. Richard Cole who was Jimmy Doolittles co-pilot in the Doolittle raid on Japan. He was 100 at that time. Got some great photos and autographs. These guys are true American heros and great examples of what the military can produce.
mrweeby1961 Wow. That is amazing. I’d love to meet anyone of the raiders. That is a fantastic story of courage. Knowing it was a one way mission.
I also met Col Cole at the WWII Museum in New Orleans. I think he was 101 at the time. I quickly went to the museum bookstore, bought his book and had him autograph it for me.
I too had opportunity to meet Col.Cole. I was working on the B-25 Yellow Rose...he walked in behind me and looked at safety wire I had just tied....he pointed out his signature and Ask if I knew it...he then introduced that he was copilot with Jimmy Doolittle. I still have baseball cap from 65th anniversary gathering
I made a collage of photos in a large frame on a tripod and my daughter did a presentation her senior year of high school with it. I didn't mention before that she was with me to meet this American hero and was really impressed. When seeing an old photo of Col. Cole with the rest of the crew she replied "He was cute!" lol.
Interviewed him in about 1978 at a collegiate fly in at Oklahoma State. I have read his book twice and he wrote his story very well and honestly. He was very thoughtful and was very humble. Like many true warriors he was always on the edge of serious trouble with the desk bound wannabes.
Didn't know this until now, but I was in Marine Corps bootcamp Jan 1988' when Pappy Boyington died. What a great Marine Corps Pilot. Lived a hard life after the war.
Had the pleasure of meeting Pappy and his wife at a MCAA meeting in Atlanta, he was one of a kind.
Loved the show..watched it many times. My father went to the South Pacific after Pappy was shot down. He never talked about the war. He loved flying the Corsair. Thanks
My dad and I had the privilege of meeting and talking to "Pappy" at an air show many years ago. He signed his book for us.
Audie Murphy was small. I've watched some video documentaries about some of our Vietnam warriors, such as Jerry Shriver. Nothing exceptional in their builds. Just men. Saw a video on competitive marches between different nations. USMC came in fifth. It was said by a competitor that they had too much muscle -- too much weight. Combat isn't won in the gym.
Great to see Pappy. A local tavern owned buy Turk, has a wall full of famous autographs from Hollywood's heydays. Pappy's impressed me the most, Turk was proud to call him a friend.
I met him at the 1979 Reno airshow and was able to talk to him and have him sign my copy of his book. He was a easy man to talk to.
Donald Potter that's freaking awesome!!! Your a lucky guy
sons of the pioneers
music
Funny, I met him in '79 at an airshow in Denver. Me and my friend Larry (both 13) brought our books which we had read cover-to-cover. We told him Black Sheep Squadron was our favorite show, and that he was our hero. He wouldn't sign a copy of his book unless we bought it there, which I think was triple the book's list price. Larry's dad, a man of very modest means, offered to buy us both copies, but we both said no. Pappy dashed two young boy's dreams, and afterwards, Larry's dad became my hero.
Well, in deference to the apparently poor experience you had, I would bet that he was under contract from the show to only sign the books "they" had for sale. It might be that he did not even get a cut from it.
I learned of this from the more current (figuratively) science fiction conventions where the actors were forbidden to sign anything except the sponsored picture or book.
Great video.
I had the honor of meeting Pappy. Boyington at The air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1981.
Did you know that when the National Air And Space Museum unveiled the F 4u Corsair after restoration, the museum had invited Mr. Boyington to see the airplane? While the group walked away to another aircraft, Mr. Boyington snuck back to the Corsair and autographed the landing gear door. The museum didn't know what to do about it, and decided to just go with it. His signature was regarded as priceless.
I understand that because I purchased an autographed poster from him at Oshkosh
I met Pappy, (he invited us to call him pappy) at the Firebaugh CA airshow in 1976. My parents trucking business was one of many sponsors for the event.
Sponsors were invited to a social gathering to meet Pappy. I was a huge fan of his, not because of the TV show, but due to his gallantry and humble demeanor in public. I don't even remember talking about the war with him at all. At 12 yrs old, I was always told by my older brother that war veterans, particularly veterans who faced the reality every day for the rest of their lives of the loss of brothers and the taking of lives of people they didn't even know may not be too receptive to others wanting to hear details of war. Pappy instead asked what I liked and I told him of our trucking business and how much I liked to drive and how the drivers taught, and let me drive.
He was amazed that at 12 I could drive a truck!
All the while I was dying to ask him what it was like to fly a Grumman F4U Corsair.
I wanted to tell him my favorite fighter from WWll
Was the "Jug", it was big and beautiful and tough!
It was a wonderful conversation that I will never forget.
Ironically enough, I have lived in a small town in N. Idaho that he once lived in before moving to Coeur d Alene as a young boy.
Nice guy, I will never forget our meeting, sure wish I could find his autograph though.
I personally met Pappy Boyington as a teenager Air Force ROTC Cadet in 1982. After meeting him I dropped out of the Air Force ROTC program and went into the Marine Corps.
It was unfair for me, after reading Pappy's book. They got a couple big strapping men and Pappy was just a regular sized guy and unassuming, but real heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and Greg was a hero.
Most of the best fighter pilots do not look anything like what Hollywood has convinced us a fighter pilot looks like.
"The eyes are the window to the soul."
His eyes gave his identity away for me.
Thank you posting this Kyle. As kids we used to love to sit at his feet and listen to his stories. It's wonderful to hear his voice again.
Amanda Boyington-Lippa I am honored that you appreciate it. I never met him but wish I had. I did meet Robert Johnson, one of his squadron mates and one of (at the time) 5 remaining Black Sheep. He said Pappy seemed like he couldn't take off without shooting something down.
Wow. Thank you for that, Amanda. You're a lucky daughter! I have tears now. ~Bomba
Amanda Boyington-Lippa your family sacrificed much this country rest in peace clear skies
Kyle Cowden treasure those memories record them somewhere so they have never lost I wish I had done that with my father
Must be his granddaughter, and probably by marriage.
"Boyington had three children with his first wife Helen Clark.[17] They married after his graduation from the University of Washington in 1934. She was 17 years old; they had met at a university dance. One daughter (Janet Boyington) took her own life;[27] 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.[28]
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. Marriage records showed Boyington had been divorced in Seattle in 1941 and Baker won her freedom from a previous mate in San Francisco in 1932.[29]
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.[29] Boyington and Delores had one adopted child.[30] He married Josephine Wilson Moseman of Fresno in 1978. This marriage was his fourth.[31]"
I met Pappy at an air show in Ogden UT Hill AFB, I told him I knew he was raised in St Maries ID about 30 miles from my hometown. (He was born in Cd'A Id and they have renamed the Coeur d'Alene airport, Boyington Fleld in his honor.) Very nice gentleman, he was seated near a Corsair, I loved these and the way the wings folded up for space on a Carrier. I stayed as long as they let me.
Such a different America, and permanently long gone now. When even TV entertainment was at a higher level, decent, well behaved, thoughtful. In our memories that country will have to remain.
Old folks with fading, and highly selective, memories ALWAYS get nostalgic about how good it was in their younger days. How much tougher they were. How hard they worked. Hand-me-downs clothes and shoes. How they had to walk 20 miles to school, uphill, both ways, in the snow, because school busses hadn't been invented yet. And how they can't figure out how to make the clock on the VCR stop flashing 12 o'clock all the time. Same same but different with every aging generation since jeebus was a mess cook on the ark.
The irony here is us old farts gushing about wholesome television back when Murica was Great, apparently. A show based on telling lies. Brought to you by Big Pharma. Geritol "tonic" makes you feel great.....after smoking a pack of non-filter Lucky Strikes, which 4 out of 5 Dentists recommend. 😄
Wrote to him once. Got a nice letter back but i was at mcrd san diego when it arrived.
I nailed it, read his book about the Black Sheep....loved the 70’s Black Sheep Squadron show
Greg Pappy Boyington USMC, Heaven is for Heroes, R.I.P.
I mentioned pappy Boyington about 40 years ago at an air show and naught his book and he signed it for me he was a very nice man he served our country proudly
I met and talked with one of the remaining Black Sheep at the Naval Aviation Museum (one of the docents liked us and arranged for us to remain after hours). I was so wrapped up in my conversation I didn't even know she was filming. God Bless her! When I find a few moments, I'll dig it out and post it.
What a classy generation. love it.
merica
Say what you want about the man, he proved himself a savage warrior in classic dog fighting. Like very few others. And lived to tell, like very few others
Why can I make a comment on this
@@jmcd3970 Shut up.
Semper Fi Pappy- You were a Great Man
It’s amazing some of the stuff that people write. That one moron who said that Pappy’s 28 kills were exaggerated is a total jerk. He almost certainly had more than 28, but those were confirmed kills. As far as fighter pilots being short that is not true either. Depending on the plane some of the cockpits had more room than others. I am 6’2” and was not the tallest person in any of my squadrons. Boyington was a living legend in the Corps.
Zeee Man that is all true and thank you for your service.
The US claimed to have shot down more than twice the number of planes that the Japanese even had. Not lies, but in a firefight, nobody would know if someone else also put lead into the enemy plane. So I'd guess that everybody's count could be a little high. Some were way off, but maybe not Pappy. Then again he was squadron commander, and how many young pilots would argue with him?
Most all kills were confirmed kills, but so what? When you have dozens of planes flying around, and maybe 5 or 6 that shot at plane, how can you know how many were killed, and by who. We examined both Japanese, and German records after the war. . On some raids on Germany, the US claimed 300 downed German planes, but the German's actually lost 103 planes on that day. It was just as bad in the Pacific, maybe even worse. On Guadalcanal, and Bougainville, the US had fighter planes shooting at the Japanese bombers, we had ships off shore shooting up at the planes, and wild fighters chasing and shooting at the Japanese bombers and fighters. On some raids, we'd claim 30 planes were shot down, but of 50 sent out, all but 15 returned to Japanese bases. Few lied, but I doubt that most had as many planes shot down, as the thought they shot down. There were double and triple claims. I think Joe Foss may have shot down more, and so do more than a few Marines. You can read books on the claims vs actual, if you want.
The usual story was they didn't sit in them, they put them on. Kinda like me in a tank.
Read the AAR's. Doesn't leave much room for argument.
I have his autobiography. He signed it when I was 12 in California. My grandfather was a rear gunner in a Dauntless SBD and won the DFC. 214 flew cover for his squadron over Rabaul. I love his book and will cherish it forever.
I_I dag gum.
Laura Holland Isn't that what "Pappy" thought he was joining up on a SBD For a Zero but it was the Japanese rear Gunner that GOT HIM? GOTTA FIND THAT BOOK , now that I've read you comment 😉 and read it again. Thanks for the memory's! 🙄
Laura Holland Germany after the war 1945
We had it in our home library as well: "Bah Bah Black Sheep". Sadly it was lost decades ago during one of our moves. And while I never saw this particular episode of TTTT, I remember watching the series.
Met him at Paine Field in Everett, WA in 1976. Bigger than life.
I met him at the Everett airfield while they were doing their annual flyin of ww2 airplanes. I had a dog eared copy of pappys book. He couldn’t believe I’d read it that often. He asked me if I remembered 2 things from the book. I said never turn with a zero. He nodded. Never sell war bonds when you’re drunk. He laughed so hard he spit out his coffee. He signed my book.
That's epic.
Met Pappy in 79 at Reno, at that time I was racing, Pap asked me, how I liked it, told him it was ok. He grunted, asked me if I wanted a drink. I said ok, didn't have to fly untill, the next day and so we sat in the tent,and talked until late that night. He was a fantastic man who had been in hell most of his life. I miss him sorely, R.I.P. pap I'll miss you forever.
Met him at Sun and Fun....Lakeland...Talked to him for a few minutes....real neat guy. Long time ago......Also met General Yeager...my dad's best friend flew with him and when I mentioned his name (yeah...I know...cheesey..hehe) he told me to wait for after the seminar.....had beers with him...didn't have a mixed drink tent....hehe He's actually visited my Boss' ranch
There will always be THE Pappy Boyington in my memories, but, I SERIOUSLY doubt we will EVER see his like again!!!DOC Mike USN
My grandfather was George Paxton, he also flew in the AVG, one of the last to leave, he acquired the name Pappy because he was the oldest after Pappy Boyington left the squadren.
I watched Black sheep every episode. His record and his mentality had to be rough in those days. May he RIP . 🙏
I remember seeing Pappy in the parade in Puyallup Washington as a kid in the '70's when BaBa Black sheep was going. He looked right at me and waved. Just a kid then,
As soon as I saw # 2 I knew it was him. He was one my heros growing up.
I happy to have seen this film of Colonel Boyington.
An outstanding American that never hesitated to perform his duty when called to do so. RIP and a firm salute, Major.
Enjoyed watching this show when i was a kid. I wish my dad were here to see this as he was a cousin to Pappy Boyington.
Larry N. Boyington, aka Larry Neal, former curator of the Wax Museum on the big 1520 KOMA
My father served in WW2. Pappy Boyington was and still is one of my heroes.
Got to touch his Corsair. You can too. It's in the Pensacola Naval Air Station museum.
Lyle Shiffer It’s not the same BUNO but it is exactly the same model and painted just like it. I think his is sitting on a reef somewhere in the Solomons.
That museum is my favorite place near my favorite beach in the world.
They didn't have assigned aircraft. They piled onto a Jeep & jumped-off at available planes as they rolled along & came upon them. You took whichever one happened to be there when your opportunity came about. They didn't put their names on them then, either.
He was shot down and taken prisoner. I doubt you saw "his" Corsair.
@@jeffchristie9561 He flew 883 until he was shot down.
I have been lucky in my life to know Pappy share a beer with him and become a friend who enjoyed his appearances at Airshows and a few Gathering of Eagles over the years. I talk to him over the years between 1970 and 1986 which was the last time I saw Pappy before he passaway in Ca. he loved to talk about the F4U which he flew and I am so proud of his authograph and picture which I display along with other great pilots of WW2 on both sides of of the air war. RIP
G.L. Hoisington I never met Col. Boyington. I count the great aviators as my celebrities and have met some great ones. Most were a, “hi, honored to meet you,” handshake conversation. A few I’ve talked at length and have had coffee with. My dad, Col. Norman Walker is such a man and the hours I have sat at his feet learning have been some of the most fulfilling and I have met many heroes vicariously through him. That said, I will always regret not having met Col. Boyington and I am envious of the time you have spent in his circle. Question, are you a flier?
Yes, I started flying in 1964 and finished some years back. I majored in WW2 history in college with a spl interest in aviation. I got to know Bob Hoover, Paul Tippets, Chuck Yeager, Adolf Galland, Eric Hartman and Gunther Rall plus some British pilots who flew in the Battle of Britain. American lost the Airshow of aces last year in Bob Hoover. Pappy was easy to talk to expecially if you knew about the F4U and we hit it off when I show him a WW2 Chance Vought poster from the factory. It was framed for me and sadly I did not take it out and have him sign it. Kyle you are very lucky to have a great father who would share his flying experiences with you and even more you listened. My father was a WW2 Army Medic and shared nothing, my uncle was with Patton and shared some thing along with his and my fathers friends; all are gone now. Aviation was in my blood and I retired after 44 being around it. To soar amoung the clouds and reach out and touch the hand of God. All of Gods best for you.
Wow! That is the life I wish I had. I did fly some after the army. It was mostly Cessnas with some eco tic novelty time. Never went anywhere with it. I was saddened by R.A. Hoover’s passing. I saw him fly his energy management routine in the 70s. My dad had flown him as a guest of the air force going I forget where. He had invited him up front and reportedly told him, “ hands off the throttles.”
The last time I saw Bob Hoover was with Chuck Yeager at a reunion in Ca. at a Air Force base which I think was Edwards? in the early 2000s? Bob was a super gentleman and loved to talk about his Flying, he was a test pilot at one time for North America Rockwell who was also a sponsor for his P-51 plus Strike Aero Commander. Bob did a show at Wiley Post airport for North American Rockwell in the mid 70s and later talked about some of his early /WW2 flying for over a hour (great). Bob was a super speaker at many functions like; ICAS. Bob wrote two book which he autographed for me. They where about his problems with the FAA, a good read. I will always remember Bob with his straw HAT. Kyle it is great to wish but they are only super memories that fade with time and like alot of the truly great pilots are fast gone. You had your father which I hope you taped his stories or at best wrote them down for your family history! A C-177 is a good plane plus all Cessnas. I learned to fly a C-150 in the Co. mountains at the old age of 17. May the wind be with you always Kyle...
Thank you for the video Kyle! I got to meet Pappy Boyington around 1980 or 81. He was signing autographs at an air show at Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona. My dad bought my brothers and me a print of a painting depicting Boyington shooting down some Japanese planes. Pappy signed the print for us boys and I think we got to shake his hand. There was Japanese guy there signing autographs too, claiming to be the guy who shot him down. I can clearly remember Pappy telling us boys, "That guy is claiming he shot me down but I don't know who the hell that guys is" Hahaha. I wish I could say we still have the print but it's been lost to the ages.
I think I met him at that same airshow as well. I always thought it was about 82 or 83 but it may have been the same one. My dad and I were there doing RC plane demonstrations. I met Greg and had a rather lengthy conversation and I didn't know who he was untill my dad asked on the way home "how was it talking to your hero". Baa Baa Black sheep was my favorite show but I thought he looked like Robert Conrad. I was so broken hearted after that.
I met Pappy in the commissary in El Toro back in 1977 where I was assigned with the Marines. Semper Fi.
Drinking ….. I guess any man who did and lived through what he did- may drink to overcome those memories. He was always a hero of mine and in my own flying career I often think about what he must have gone though.
God bless.
Semper FI !!
TOP GUN MARINE PILOT, PAPPY
I knew that Col. Boyington was from Idaho only because I have the entire series of the Black Sheep Squadron on DVD with Robert Conrad playing the part of Col. Boyington. I just fell in love with the Corsair when the series came out in the late 70's. Very good show by the way.
And people who "hate" on patriotic heroes both men and women, should stop and think before inserting their foot into their mouths because if it wasn't for us military members of the Armed Forces, those closed and evil minded people would thank us for their FREEDOM OF SPEECH that we have fought/bled/died for.
GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.
The while as good as it was,was inaccurate on how the Black Sheep were portrayed,they were were not drunks,hacks,screwballs,or those awaiting court martial.They were mostly unassigned,new or replacement pilots,looking for a home.
Donna puckett Amen. Jesus bless you.And thank you🇺🇸🎉
Corsairs were built in akronohio in proud of pappy an my hometown
Dngas about Conrad, Loved the planes.
Did you think W K Stratton was a cutie?
My great uncle...very special to me.
Really?!? What memories you must have.
I got to meet Pappy in Reno many years ago. I can't believe I recognized him here.
Hero. Nothing less. RIP
This was fun to watch. Thank you!
You may talk o' gin and beer when you're quartered safe out here. But of all the men who flew this was the finest man we knew. Legend!
I met Pappy at an air show, cant for the life of me remember where, back in the summer of '89. He signed a book that I bought. All I can say is what a gentleman. I'm so glad I can I say I shook the man's hand. I"ll never say anything bad about any militiary COs, but I just dont think they are on his level. You'll be missed.
Do you mean 87? He died in early 88.
I met Pappy back in 1976. Cool dude!
David Valdez I am so jealous of you guys and girls who got to spend time with him.
I NEVER EVER KNEW!!! I had NO IDEA that Pappy Boyington spent 2 years in a Japanese POW Camp! And I watched the Series! Religiously!!
It was in his book
Knew what Greg Boyington looks like so a real no brainer. I understand the attitude on how they treated him. 3 years after the Korean war wrapped up, and people were a lot more reserved back then.
I met Pappy accidentally after going into a tent at Oshkosh, may have been 1980, during a rain storm, got in a line of various concession sales and he was autographing his book. I was shocked, blurted out something like, "Pappy, I read your book!" I was an idiot not buying the book and autographed it.
he was and forever be a hero of mine rip
I had the honor of meeting Pappy in 1986, He was a Marine through and through !!!!
Pretty savvy of Kitty to ask #2 if he knew Margaret Chung - that clearly nailed it for her, and rightfully so.
I read and pondered Pappy's autobiography as a kid in the Seventies; it probably helped influence me to USMC. RIP, devil dog.
A true American hero, he fought hard and well for us and our future, like I said, A true American hero, God bless you for your devotion tp preserve liberty!
My father served with VMF-214 later, during the Korean War. They were still flying Corsairs, albeit F4U-4Bs by that time. Pappy's influence was still very strong at that time.
thanks for putting this on I recognized him right off .. the shortest one this show is one year older than me .. and just over a decade after the war ... and the effects and events of the WW2 were still in the minds of Americans .... there were so many men that stood out in WW2 ... AND there was no internet and TV was well very limited ... I can see why no one knew who he was ... really neat to time travel with these shows .. thanks again ......
A great man
He was a man of his times. Fate seems to have a knack at that, putting just the right people in the right place at the right time to change the world. Fate was working overtime in these times though, Roosevelt, Churchill, ect...
If it hadn't have been for WW2 however Boyington would have been nothing more than a drunken bum, possibly even skid row drunk. Booted from the military for striking a superior officer while he was drunk, the flying tigers saved him from that though. Even he admitted that though,one of his favorite sayings was "Show me a hero and I'll prove he's a bum".
After the war Boyington struggled greatly and had a hard life, his CMH and hero status from the war saved him from.abject poverty however, and thus skid row, but he was his own worst enemy.
Also he didn't have 28 victories. he had 26. Boyington always counted 2 aircraft he destroyed while they were parked on the ground while he was flying for the tigers, also the source of his money dispute with chanault, but American, or any other, forces never have recognized aircraft destroyed on the ground as victories. If America did there would be some P-47 Thunderbolt pilots in Europe with more than 100 victories as they specialized in the ground attack roles, specifically attacking German airfeilds which were heavily defended with radar guided antiaircraft guns in the latter half of the war, accounting for note than 50% loss rates for the thunderbolt pots tasked to destroy them. The thunderbolt being the only American fighter tough enough to tackle the job, the P-51, with the radiator on it's belly was far too vulnerable to ground fire for the job, as Korea proved beyond any doubt.
Regardless of everything though nothing can change the fact that Boyington truly was a great man and hero, not even Boyington himself!
I commented on the kills in a reply above. He had two aerial kills with the Flying Tiger with 1 and one "assist" on the ground. His USMC record did not reflect those while he was allowed to post the flags on his airplane.
I thought the other two guys were to tall to be fighter pilots and the one with the grey hair looked too much like you would imagine a Hollywood hero to look like. Only the real Pappy had the kind of humbleness that I would expect from a real war hero.
I read the book about him and had a seen a picture of the real boyington also if you ever seen the old tv show black sheep robert conrad played boyington there is a vague resemblance
Pappy Boyington "humble?" Funny. Usually the height is a good indicator but not always. My dad was in the 49th FG, 8th FS and they flew P-40s, then P-38s, then P-51s. One of his tent-mates was about 6' 4", a nice kid from Oklahoma. I actually talked to him on the phone...he towers over the guys in the pictures