Beating up Boyington
I have my personal hero from the Greatest Generation, my quiet father who did a drive-by thing with German Panzers in December of 1944.
Second among that pantheon of heroes, and a much more public personality, is a Marine named Greg “Pappy” Boyington. He is the stuff of legend; a Marine aviator with more kills than any other on record. By the accounts of his commanding officers, he was also an arrogant, insubordinate SOB. The best warriors are often the worst soldiers.
“Pappy’s” specialty was luring Japanese fliers out to fight him one-on-one over the Pacific. His luck eventually ran out, and he spent 20 months in a Japanese POW camp. Before he rode his Corsair into the ocean, Boyington had established the legacy of “Boyington’s Battling Bastards”, the legendary “Black Sheep Squadron”. The title was toned down for the more respectable press of the time, but the public knew the story of those courageous Marine aviators who showed up every day, and dared the Japs to come out and play. The former Flying Tiger didn’t ask permission; there was a war on, and he made it up as he went along.
“Pappy” was a tormented man, and had a hard time in civilian life after the war. He battled alcoholism, and was reduced to being a pro wrestling referee in the fledgling days of the “sport”. It’s been a few years since I read his autobiography, but I think he even parked cars for a living at some low point. He resigned from his beloved Marine Corps to fly with Claire Chenault in China before the infamy of 7 December, 1941. A flawed person, like so many of us, “Pappy” was a perfect hero. Cursed by his COs, he saw what needed to be done, and went out to do it.
So, this is supposed to be a quiet weekend morning in the 21st century. The deeds of the Greatest Generation are 60+ years in the past. Our memorials are established; our statues are raised.
Not quite. “Pappy” Boyington is an alumnus of the University of Washington. The university recently entertained the notion of a memorial to this hero. All kinds of nastiness has erupted over it, including rhetoric that “a Marine is not the kind of person we’d care to represent the university.”
They don’t call it The Left Coast for no reason, and we in other parts of America are accustomed to intellectual disconnects from the denizens of that rarefied environment.
If this American hero is not honored, it calls down eternal shame upon the University of Washington. “Pappy” did his duty, and didn’t take “no” for an answer. His squadron had the highest kill ratio of any Marine aviation unit serving in a desperate war. He had 28 “kills”, and they are just that. People died; he didn’t start the war, but he tried his best to end it.
Fly on, “Pappy”. My pa is #1, but your legacy soars with the eagles.
Second among that pantheon of heroes, and a much more public personality, is a Marine named Greg “Pappy” Boyington. He is the stuff of legend; a Marine aviator with more kills than any other on record. By the accounts of his commanding officers, he was also an arrogant, insubordinate SOB. The best warriors are often the worst soldiers.
“Pappy’s” specialty was luring Japanese fliers out to fight him one-on-one over the Pacific. His luck eventually ran out, and he spent 20 months in a Japanese POW camp. Before he rode his Corsair into the ocean, Boyington had established the legacy of “Boyington’s Battling Bastards”, the legendary “Black Sheep Squadron”. The title was toned down for the more respectable press of the time, but the public knew the story of those courageous Marine aviators who showed up every day, and dared the Japs to come out and play. The former Flying Tiger didn’t ask permission; there was a war on, and he made it up as he went along.
“Pappy” was a tormented man, and had a hard time in civilian life after the war. He battled alcoholism, and was reduced to being a pro wrestling referee in the fledgling days of the “sport”. It’s been a few years since I read his autobiography, but I think he even parked cars for a living at some low point. He resigned from his beloved Marine Corps to fly with Claire Chenault in China before the infamy of 7 December, 1941. A flawed person, like so many of us, “Pappy” was a perfect hero. Cursed by his COs, he saw what needed to be done, and went out to do it.
So, this is supposed to be a quiet weekend morning in the 21st century. The deeds of the Greatest Generation are 60+ years in the past. Our memorials are established; our statues are raised.
Not quite. “Pappy” Boyington is an alumnus of the University of Washington. The university recently entertained the notion of a memorial to this hero. All kinds of nastiness has erupted over it, including rhetoric that “a Marine is not the kind of person we’d care to represent the university.”
They don’t call it The Left Coast for no reason, and we in other parts of America are accustomed to intellectual disconnects from the denizens of that rarefied environment.
If this American hero is not honored, it calls down eternal shame upon the University of Washington. “Pappy” did his duty, and didn’t take “no” for an answer. His squadron had the highest kill ratio of any Marine aviation unit serving in a desperate war. He had 28 “kills”, and they are just that. People died; he didn’t start the war, but he tried his best to end it.
Fly on, “Pappy”. My pa is #1, but your legacy soars with the eagles.
posted by Robert at 10:16 AM
10 Comments:
When I read about this yesterday I was so ashamed of the folks at the 'U' I couldn't believe it. Honestly not wanting to honor a Marine is beyond my comprehension.
If you need to get a petition going to honor him you know who to e-mail for a signature
Them students at U. Wash. need to get over themselves. "Pappy" needs no further defense.
Damn, y'know...you wake up, expecting a quiet morning, and there is...terrible BS.
I first read about this debacle HERE...then, again, HERE.
(Same blogger...)
It's a freakin' disgrace!!!
Those little pot-headed libeal not-wits at UWashwould be speaking Japanese and eating with chopsticks(and NOT going to the U)If it weren't for Pappy Boyington and the other brave men who served their country ,hadn't stood up and won that war . I'd rather go to my grave as a flawed human like Pappy then as one of those mindless Commie ,peaceniks.
It was probably a good thing Patton was killed as the cowards would have tried to shred him and all he accomplished ,had he lived.
I have a picture of Pappy on the wall at the right side of my desk at work. Written under the photo are his words "Show me a hero and I'll prove he's a bum."
Pappy is laughing loud at these people and would if he were alive chuckle at how they think they would upset him.
He only downed 28 enemy aircraft (Richard Bong shot down 40) but he was a guy who didn't really care what people thought about him. Strange as it may seem, if the turds who oppose this honor for the man knew him they would be fighting to get him and his life recognized. As Possum said, he tended to irritate the brass which seems to be their intent as well.
I could spend hours and write volumes about Pappy. The truth is he beat the odds when the odds were against him, did what he thought was right, and is remembered fondly.
He beat alcoholism and lived life like a "Second Hand Lion."
Amen Possum! The man served well and honorably! Who should we send a message to?
Messages go to the University of Washington, boberin. I won't suggest what to say, but I think if they follow my train of thought, they'll be something to the effect of "get a clue!"
Mack is right. I hear laughter from a high place.
Post a Comment
<< Home