Gregory "Pappy" Boyington - Arlington, VA - Medal Of Honor Resting Places 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.

Source/Credit: (visit link)

Gregory "Pappy" Boyington's Medal of Honor Citation reads:

"For extraordinary heroism and valiant devotion to duty as commanding officer of Marine Fighting Squadron 214 in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Central Solomons area from 12 September 1943 to 3 January 1944. Consistently outnumbered throughout successive hazardous flights over heavily defended hostile territory, Maj. Boyington struck at the enemy with daring and courageous persistence, leading his squadron into combat with devastating results to Japanese shipping, shore installations, and aerial forces. Resolute in his efforts to inflict crippling damage on the enemy, Maj. Boyington led a formation of 24 fighters over Kahili on 17 October and, persistently circling the airdrome where 60 hostile aircraft were grounded, boldly challenged the Japanese to send up planes. Under his brilliant command, our fighters shot down 20 enemy craft in the ensuing action without the loss of a single ship. A superb airman and determined fighter against overwhelming odds, Maj. Boyington personally destroyed 26 of the many Japanese planes shot down by his squadron and, by his forceful leadership, developed the combat readiness in his command which was a distinctive factor in the Allied aerial achievements in this vitally strategic area."

Citation Credit: (visit link)

Armed Service: Marines

Visit Instructions:
To properly log your find, post a photograph of the medal recipient's grave marker. Do not place anything on the grave when taking the photo. If you have more information about the recipient please include it in your log.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   11/06/2022 Babushka_Qc visited it 03/27/2022 Don.Morfe visited it 09/10/2021 bluesnote visited it 11/26/2011 79scouts visited it

View all visits/logs