6/10/2009
By Lance Cpl. Bryan G. Carfrey
 ARLINGTON,
Va. - He had little trouble shooting down 28 Japanese
aircraft, he had little problem leading his squadron to 97
confirmed kills over a three month period in 1943-1944, he had
little issues with accepting a Medal of Honor and a Navy
Cross, but he had a hard time winning the hearts and minds
from his hometown.
Col. Gregory "Pappy" Boyington was one of the most decorated
and prestigious fighter pilots in the world during WWII.
Boyington, born and raised in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, was
awarded the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross for his actions
in the Solomon Islands from Sept. 12, 1943, through Jan. 3,
1944, as commanding officer of, Marine Fighting Squadron 214.
The aerial battles going on over the Solomon Islands, a group
of islands east of New Guinea, played a major role in the war
in the pacific. The Japanese had seized control of much of the
region and began fortifying the area with several naval and
air bases. Boyington's squadron played a big factor in taking
back this region.
The story reached first time film maker and former Marine
Kevin E. Gonzalez. In turn, he made the documentary "Pappy
Boyington Field."
The film documents the struggle of getting a local airport in
Coeur D'Alene named after the war hero. After all, he was
awarded the Medal of Honor and a Navy Cross ... should be a
simple task right? Not so fast.
As the film shows, plenty of hurdles and resistance were in
the path for the Marine Corps League's Pappy Boyington
Detachment, who led the charge in this mission.
The documentary opens with a segment entitled "War in the
Pacific," and has four vignettes of WWII Marines recounting
their experiences; a Marine who was part of the landing force
at Iwo Jima, a Marine who was injured during a Kamikaze plane
attack, a Marine who was part of the Guadalcanal campaign, and
a Marine who was captured by the Japanese and held in a
prisoner of war camp for over three years. The scene brings
the audience immediately into the WWII era.
It consists of interviews with many former Marines from the
WWII time frame as well as Boyington's family members
including his son, a retired colonel from the Air Force, and
his grandson, currently serving in the Marine Corps.
The film also includes some good archived video from the war
and an interview with actor Robert Conrad who played Boyington
in a popular 1970's television series titled "Baa Baa Black
Sheep." The television show was based on and named after
Boyington's best-selling book written in 1958.
The film documents some of Boyington's struggles as well, like
eventually being shot down and captured in January 1944 by the
Japanese and being held as a prisoner of war for the duration
of WWII.
It's about half way through the 65-minute film the reasons for
the hesitancy to name this airport after him is mentioned. To
know these reasons watch the documentary.
The film is one in which all Marines should find time to
watch. It's an interesting story of a Marine Corps hero, rich
in history and tradition. |
Movie Review: 'Pappy Boyington Field'
