I’ll Prove He’s a Bum
Col. Gregory Boyington was one of the great heroes of Marine Corps aviation. He shot down twenty-eight Japanese aircraft, earned the Medal of Honor, and was a prisoner of war for twenty months. As the commander and oldest member of Marine Fighter Squadron 214, he earned the nickname “Pappy,” and his unit of replacement pilots became known as the “Black Sheep Squadron.” One of his many exploits is recounted in his Medal of Honor citation:
“Pappy” Boyington (U. S. Marine Corps)
Major Boyington led a formation of twenty-four fighters over Kahill on 17 October and, persistently circling the airdrome where sixty hostile aircraft were grounded, boldly challenged the Japanese to send up planes. Under his brilliant command, our fighters shot down twenty enemy craft in the ensuing action without the loss of a single ship.381
Boyington was shot down over Rabaul in January 1944. Bailing out at low altitude, he was injured and captured by the Japanese. When he was finally repatriated after his prison ordeal, he was in extremely poor health and was medically discharged from the Marine Corps. His life after the war took a further tragic turn as he battled a new enemy: alcoholism. During a disastrous period he went through three wives and a series of uninspiring jobs. Due to the heavy smoking that went with his drinking, he almost died of emphysema. He once proclaimed that his drinking addiction was, “no doubt the most damning thing in my character.”382
Boyington was rehabilitated somewhat in the 1970s by Alcoholics Anonymous and the television series, Baa Baa Black Sheep, based on his best-selling book. In the final line of the book, he wrote: “If this story were to have a moral, then I would say: ‘Just name a hero and I’ll prove he’s a bum.’”383 Pappy Boyington had been humbled by his life experiences, but will nevertheless be remembered always as one of the great combat leaders of World War II.
I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. Correct me, Lord, but only with justice not in your anger, lest you reduce me to nothing.
—Jeremiah 10:23–24