From the Jan. 3, 2013, Marines website "69 years ago today, legendary World War II ace made final flight" by Corporal Andrea Dickerson.
On Jan. 3, 1944, Col. Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, leader of the Marine Fighter Squadron 214, "The Black Sheep Squadron," flew his final combat mission of the war. He downed three Japanese planes on this day, bringing his total to 26, tying him with First World War ace Eddie Rickenbacker.
He then was shot down himself and picked up by a Japanese submarine and spent the next twenty months as a POW where he was beaten, interrogated, tortured and starved. He survived and was rescued. Returning to the U.S., he received a Medal of Honor and Navy Cross from President Truman.
He retired from service August 1, 1947.
Quite a Story. --GreGen
The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.
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