I am very pleased to reblog this post from GP Cox who has developed a terrific blog dedicated to his father, Everett “Smitty” Smith who served in WWII as part of the Headquarters Company, 187th Regiment, 11th A/B Division. This recent post from his blog features background information on Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, Commander of the legendary Black Sheep Squadron from WWII–one of the most daring and decorated squadrons of fighter pilots in the South Pacific, and one of my all-time heroes from WWII. Over the course of writing my blog, I have received great support and inspiration from the fine work of GP Cox and I am very grateful to him. I am sure that the readers of PT Boat Red will enjoy this fine blog.
Gregory ‘Pappy’ Boyington
The brashest, most publicized pilots of the Pacific Theater belonged to the appropriately named Black Sheep Squadron. They were rowdy, profane, hard-drinking, fun-loving and credited with so many Japanese aircraft that they became legends in their own time.
The leader of this wild bunch was Major Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, a former Flying Tiger with 6 kills to his credit. The boozing, brawling commander downed 28 enemy planes – more than any other Marine pilot. He was born 4 December 1912 and in Coeur d’Alene, IA he took his first flight at 6 years old with barnstormer, Clyde Pangborn. Boyington grew up thinking his step-father was his biological father and went by the name Hallenbeck. It wasn’t until he graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in aeronautical engineering that he learned his real name.
Black Sheep Squadron patch.
Boyington formed the Black Sheep in the…
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PT Boat Red 
Thank you very much for helping me to keep these memories alive. I certainly hope your readers will enjoy this post of one of your heroes!
By: GP Cox on February 22, 2016
at 6:45 pm