1:
Original Quote:
"Oh, the whole damned thing was Hollywood, but I guess that's showbiz. Yes, there was a Brig. Gen. James Moore, chief of staff of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and he was a real stand-up guy. He took care of us and kept Lard off our backs. Lard [Lt. Col. Joseph Smoak, operations officer of Marine Air Group 11] was a real bythe-book Marine, but unlike most of the characteristic backstabbers, he had pulled his time when it counted. He had served in China, and I respected him for that. I was simply the kind of officer he could not understand. I have no ill will toward him or anyone."2:
History:
Born in Idaho on December 4, 1912, he was a leading Marine Corps Air Ace in World War II. He had been a Marine Corps officer before the war, but had resigned his commision in order to serve with Claire Chennault's "Flying Tigers" in China.
When the United States entered the war, he rejoined the Marine Corps in early 1942 and was assigned to the Solomon Islands in the Pacific, and also served in the Bourgainville campaign. He was shot down and subsequently captured by the Japanese on January 3, 1944, while on a mission over Rabaul. He was then a prisonor of war until he was liberated at the end of the war, He was awarded the Medal of Honor upon his return to the United States. He was promoted to Colonel upon his retirement from the Corps in 1947.
Just a thumbnail in honor of a true American Hero. Yes, he actually did a lot of the stuff which was conducive to the award of the Medal of Honor.
While we all enjoyed the "Black Sheep Squadron" stories on television, we remember and honor the valor of the real Gregory H. "Pappy" Boyington,
He was .. and remains .. a true American Hero.
2 comments:
He was one of the best.
Read his book about the war. A lot of the stuff in the TV show was based on that.
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