Gregory "Pappy" Boyington - Grave of a Famous Person on Waymarking.com

Gregory “Pappy” Boyington was born in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on December 4, 1912. He attended the University of Washington, graduating in 1934 with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Boyington served with the Special Air Unit charged with defending China and the Burma Road. The unit became known as “The Flying Tigers.” Later Boyington became the commanding officer of Marine Fighter Squadron 214, which became known as “The Black Sheep Squadron.” At the age of 31, he was more than 10-years older than most of his men, so they first nicknamed him “Gramps,” which later became “Pappy.” During the squadron’s first tour of combat “Pappy” shot down 14 enemy fighters in 32 and by the end of the year the number climbed to 25. On January 3, 1944 Boyington’s plane was shot down and he was picked up by a Japanese Submarine. He spent the rest of the war as a Prisoner of War. On August 29, 1945, Boyington was liberated from the Omori Prison Camp and eventually returned to the United States. .” After returning to the United State Lieutenant Colonel Gregory “Pappy” Boyington was awarded the Medal of Honor, and on October 4, 1945 he received the Navy Cross. Today, many people are familiar with “Pappy” Boyington only because of 1970’s TV Show “The Black Sheep Squadron,” which is very loosely based on Boyinton’s memoir. Robert Conrad portrayed Boyington on the TV Show. Boyington was often critical of the TV show, reminding interviewers and audiences that the TV show was fiction and “Hogwash.” “Pappy” Boyington died from complication of cancer on January 11, 1988 and is resting in Section 7 of Arlington National Cemetery.

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Description: Gregory “Pappy” Boyington was born on December 4, 1912 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He grew up in Tacoma, Washington and graduated in from Lincoln High School. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1934 with a degree in aeronautical engineering. Following his graduation he took a job with Boeing, working as a draftsman and engineer. He began his military career in college as a member of the ROTC Program, becoming a cadet captain. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Coast Artillery Reserves. On February 18, 1936, he accepted an appointment as an aviation cadet in the Marine Corps Reserves, assigned to the Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida. On March 11, 1937 he was designated a Naval Aviator and stations at Quantico, Virginia. Boyington resigned his commission in the Marine Corps on August 26, 1941 to accept a position with the Central Aircraft Manufacturing Company (CAMCO). CAMCO was a civilian organization that contracted to staff a Special Air Unit to defend China and the Burma Road. The unit later became known as the American Volunteer Group (AVG), the famed Flying Tigers of China. During his time with the “Tigers” he became a flight leader where he frequently class with ranking commanders. In 1942, Boyington returned to the Marine Corps and became the Executive Officer of VMF-121 operating from Guadalcanal and later became commanding officer of Marine Fighter Squadron 214, which became known as “The Black Sheep Squadron.” At the age of 31, he was more than 10-years older than most of his men, so they first nicknamed him “Gramps,” which later became “Pappy.” During the squadron’s first tour of combat “Pappy” shot down 14 enemy fighters in 32 and by the end of the year the number climbed to 25. On January 3, 1944 Boyington’s plane was shot down and he was picked up by a Japanese Submarine. He spent the rest of the war as a Prisoner of War. On August 29, 1945, Boyington was liberated from the Omori Prison Camp and eventually returned to the United States. On September 12, 1945 he was reunited with 21 former members of “The Black Sheep Squadron.” After returning to the United State Lieutenant Colonel Gregory “Pappy” Boyington was awarded the Medal of Honor, and on October 4, 1945 he received the Navy Cross from the Commandant of the Marine Corps. “Pappy” Boyington retired from the Marines on August 1, 1947. Today, many people are familiar with “Pappy” Boyington only because of 1970’s TV Show “The Black Sheep Squadron,” which is very loosely based on Boyinton’s memoir. Robert Conrad portrayed Boyington on the TV Show. Boyington was often critical of the TV show, reminding interviewers and audiences that the TV show as fiction and “Hogwash.” Boyington reportedly visited the National Air and Space Museum’s Gaber Preservation Center while a F4U Corsair similar to the one flown by Boyington was being restored and Boyington autographed the aircraft with a marker in one of the wheel wells. Today that same F4U Corsair is on display at the National Air and Space Museum’s, Stephen D. Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles Airport. Sharp eyed visitors may be able to see the autograph as the plane hangs from the rafters. Gregory “Pappy” Boyington died in Fresno, California on January 11, 1988 from complications of cancer. He is resting in Section 7 of Arlington National Cemetery. Date of birth: 12/04/1912 Date of death: 01/11/1988 Area of notoriety: Military Marker Type: Headstone Setting: Outdoor Visiting Hours/Restrictions: Daily - 8 a.m to 5 p.m. Fee required?: No Web site: [Web Link]

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