America's Oddest Killer Who Proved Everyone Wrong

January 3, 1944-The Corsairs' engines rumbled across the Pacific airstrip as the Black Sheep squadron returned from their brutal sweep over Rabaul. One by one, the aircraft touched down, their metal frames groaning under the strain of combat. The stifling tropical heat pressed down on the exhausted men as they climbed from their cockpits.
The loss of Captain George Ashmun weighed heavily on the squadron despite their overwhelming success. The men's boots crunched against the gravel as they made their way toward the hangar. Then came the collective pause-the moment of recognition. Their commander's aircraft never returned.
Miles away, their commander Gregory "Pappy" Boyington drifted alone in the vast Pacific, his strength ebbing with each passing hour. Through the salt spray and haze, he spotted a vessel approaching. As it drew closer, his initial surge of hope transformed into dread-flying proudly from its mast he saw the flag of the rising sun.
As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Docs sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect. I do my best to keep it as visually accurate as possible. All content on Dark Docs is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas. -

[@vegas7027]

"Pappy" Boyington is a Marine legend. I watched the TV show about the Black Sheep squadron with my Dad growing up. My dad was a Marine and part of a ground crew in aviation. He had a strong affection for the legend of Boyington.

[@stevenyarnell]

As much as I love Robert Conrad’s portrayal of “Pappy” Boyington, he just didn’t look like him. Nothing against the late actor! He was darn good at what he did. I just believe that Simon Oakland, the actor who played Boyington’s commanding officer, looks more like “Pappy” Boyington.

[@vegas7027]

@@stevenyarnell I definitely agree. Too bad I can't find that show streaming anywhere.

[@jimsmith7212]

​@stevenyarnell The Baa Baa Blacksheep TV series was one of my favorites too, and ran from 1976-1978. Pappy Boyington was alive during filming and was invited onto the set and was (possibly) a consultant. Robert Conrad related later that he had asked Boyington what he thought of the series, and his portrayal. Pappy replied: "Pretty good, but I was much better looking."

[@catman8965]

Pappy Boyington make appearances on the Black Sheep Show in three episodes as General Harrison Kenlay.

[@vegas7027]

@@catman8965 I forgot about that

[@sheldonrobertson8670]

Thanks for showing the world how special Pappy Boyington was his flying accomplishments are what legends are made of. From black sheep to American Hero his memory will live on forever God Bless all who served and died.

[@rimshot2270]

His personal weaknesses were ambling and booze. He was shot down in a moment of carelessness. His life after the war was tragic.

[@em1osmurf]

my father was USMC from 1939 to 1961. retired as Capt. they were indeed america's greatest generation. excellent vid.

[@kravin74]

Damn right! Couldn't agree more

[@exqziMOI]

@@kravin74 looking at the world now i don't know about that

[@daleupthegrove6396]

I always remember Pappy's most famous quote: "Show me a hero and I'll show you a bum."

[@appaloosa42]

He should know.

[@JoeBLOWFHB]

🎶We are poor little lambs🎶 🎶Who have lost our way...🎶 🎶Baa...baa...Black Sheep🎶

[@richardletaw4068]

“The Whiffenpoof Song”

[@appaloosa42]

He sue was lost.

[@cwavt8849]

I watched the TV show Black Sheep Squadron when I was young, though mostly because the lead actor was Very good looking. I didn't realize that he was based on an actual war hero. Thank you

[@davesky538]

Gregg Boyington is me role model throughout me entire life. Now age 68 I can truthfully say I flew in his shoes and successfully drove the US military out of their minds. Retired pilot: US military civilian contractor world wide for over 30 years. I was scheduled for termination repeatedly but no one, absolutely no one could replace me. And I was hired and rehired again and again.

[@catman8965]

Pappy Boyington make appearances on the Black Sheep Show in three episodes as General Harrison Kenlay.

[@johnlansing2902]

A generation where you talked little , did much and kept your word . Those who I was fortunate to have known were tough but good hearted once you proved yourself .

[@mikemcclure9983]

when I worked for DOD at NAS Corpus Christi, TX I received a letter of commendation from John E. Boyington Jr. Rear Admiral, USN. Pappy Boyington's son, nice guy to work for.

[@briancooper2112]

Um. I thought his son was in USAF?

[@briancooper2112]

Infact son graduated airforce academy. Boyington i believe had a son and daughter. Both not to fond of their father who wasn't the best father.

[@briancooper2112]

Boyington had 3 kids. 1 son2 daughters. 1 daughter committed suicide..

[@joejohnson4183]

Need to do better research as his son was Gregory Boyington, Jr. and he was in the Air Force and John E. Boyington had the same last name but no relationship to Pappy

[@HGWTPaladin]

John Jr.? If he was Pappy’s son he’d have been Gregory Boyington, Jr

[@pault726]

On the first weekend dating my wife, I spent a day with her family, and some time with her dad, while the two of us watched Black Sheep Squadron on TV. I in the Navy, and he a Marine vet, it was a bit of a bonding moment for us. Many years later I came to find out that he'd met Pappy Boyington while serving in the Pacific war in WWII.

[@briancooper2112]

I met boyington in 1979 at a airshow at Falcon Field in mesa,az. Not impressed

[@JosephSullens]

I had the pleasure of meeting Pappy Boyington on more than one occasion. The first was when he was Grand Marshall of the Daffodil Parade in 1978 in Tacoma, Washington when I was a cadet in the AFJROTC at Franklin Pierce High School. I still have his autograph. My next encounter was while I was in the Marine Corps and he was at MCAS Tustin in 1983 promoting his latest book.

[@daystatesniper01]

Good video Dark ,very good

[@paul-b7z]

My uncle, who was a Seabee, met Pappy while stationed on Vella LaVella. He told me he happened to sit next to him at the movie theater on the base there.

[@gregh7400]

Boyington was the only captured American POW to gain weight in captivity. The guys who were imprisoned with him didn't hold him in such high regard.

[@DavidDavidunderthebridgeChampi]

Wars are not won and fought by gentlemen.

[@FreekingAwwsome]

Great video

[@madcapmagician6018]

The greatest generation 🙏

[@timsparks1858]

Charles Lindbergh was another pilot in WW2 who proved he was patriotic and a combat pilot with 50 total missions as Civilian in both the F4U Corsair and a P-38. He shot down a Japanese Plane!

[@davewitter6565]

Good thing they kept him out of the European Theater.

[@briancooper2112]

He was a antisemite and bigot.

[@williamdusseau7583]

America needs more heroes in these times. There were many heroes of the Greatest Generation. Pappy should be a lesson for youngsters to fight harder when the fighting is tough.

[@johnbaenen5386]

I agree with the music is to loud.

[@appaloosa42]

Pappy was a lifelong rebel and refugee from personal responsibility. The song lyric ‘I did it my way ‘ were written for him.

[@JoshuaWaltz-fj4rg]

This is a fantastic documentary.

[@JulesA-C]

What an interesting story I had no idea. Thank you. 😊

[@acecabron1298]

Legends never die, they carry on at another place.

[@markpaul-ym5wg]

I bought his book in 1978.Thanks for another great video DARK DOCS.

[@Yeffronimo]

Disappointed that the video didn't mention Pappy's Medal of Honor. Or the fact that the Marine Corps only issued it to him because they thought he was dead. They worried that if he got the CMOH, and was alive, he would embarrass them. After the war, when Marine planes flew over the prison camp where he was located, the men wrote 'Pappy is alive' on the roof on paint. He had been told by pilots shot down after him, that he had been awarded the CMOH. The Marine corps leaders heard about the message on the roof, and collectively shxt a brick. They held a party to honor him and Dick Bong, the other leading and legendary ace of the war, and Pally, drunk again, assumed they had only put these two together to watch them fight. So he promptly swung on Bong. The guy was a real fighter. And a real drunk. And a real hero

[@briancooper2112]

In camp he worked in kitchen. Fed himself and not other pow's.

[@Yeffronimo]

@briancooper2112 he got a little extra food there, the same way every one of those pow's did to survive their own ways. He'd have been killed if the Japanese found out. He wrote all about it in his book

[@briancooper2112]

@Yeffronimo he never shared.

[@briancooper2112]

@Yeffronimo authors paid by publisher wrote book. Also his kids hated him. He wasnt the best father.

[@briancooper2112]

@Yeffronimo this man was a hero to me. But in 1979 mesa,az Falcon Airfield I bought his book. A 10 year old who waited in line to be told he wanted 10 bucks to sign his book which I bought. I didn't pay and walked away in tears.

[@MakerBoyOldBoy]

Interesting bio of mixed facts and fiction. Complicated story with a needed context. Boyington was among many military pilots who were secretly seconded to a covert military group led by another USAAC rebel in no good standing Claire Chenault who was hired by the Chinese Nationalist government to recreate the massive Soviet Aircraft Forces intervention into the Sino-Japanese War beginning in 1931. Chennault formed 3 squadrons with American civilian maintenance personnel. The aircraft were Curtis Model H81 aircraft refused by British buyers as being substandard for modern combat. The U.S. military pilots were all ill-trained and incapable of combat survival. Chennault selected the first American air ace since WWI to train them - Art Chin an American born of Chinese ancestry who had 6 1/2 Japanese kills. Chin and fellow American born of Chinese ancestry pilots as civilians had volunteered to fight the Japanese many years before. Wikipedia has a decent summary of the group. Art was shot down and badly burned. I interviewed him at length and he had an extremely interesting life filled with aviation. The AVG untrained pilots were desperately needed to counter Japanese bomber attacks. With less than 4 hours of solo Model H81 (later P-40B) time they were thrust into combat. Chennault had quickly trained them to use the only advantage the Model H81 had due to its heavy weight was simply to dive on an enemy and quickly escape. The tactic became known as Zoom and Boom. The AVG pilots did as well as they could against far more experienced Japanese air forces. Many good books were written by former pilots and well worth reading. The most accurate account of the group was written by Boyington. His lawyer advised him that if he published history manuscript every person named in it would file large defamation lawsuits against him. Boyington simply made up new names and published the manuscript as the "novel" Tanya. Interesting reading. Boyington also published a larger memoir of Baa Baa Black Sheep in which only the title was used in the popular TV series. The rest was typical Hollywood stuff. There is a story that Boyington was sitting at a book sale selling autographed copies of Black Sheep while a former Japanese pilot was selling his memoir flying against Boyington. Both pilots claimed to have shot down the other. For many months after Pearl Harbor American morale was bottomed out. Hollywood stepped into its war work obligation and put out a rousing heroic aviation fantasy with a popular cowboy B movie actor John Wayne in The Flying Tigers. The type of aircraft and the "blood chit" on the back of the leather flying jackets was the only resemblance to reality in the movie. Interestingly, that now famous blood chit was exactly the same with one Chinese character different than when first used on the backs of Soviet pilots' flying jackets which were produced by Madam Chiang Kai-Shek's group of female workers. This fascinating and complex era has never been written about. My personal deep research was given to a curator to continue at the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson Arizona.

[@drmarkintexas-400]

🎖️🏆⭐❤️‍🩹🇺🇲🙏 Thank you for sharing this

[@donharrison706]

who wrote this script: he earned the nickname "gramps," which was later shortened to Pappy. How is a two syllable monicker shorter than a one syllable one?

[@dennisud]

I'm surprised you didn't mention the BaaBaa Black sheep show in NBC in the 80s based on that squadron!

[@johndonlon1611]

He was also a budding commercial artist before the War.

[@briancooper2112]

Before marines he worked for Boeing.

[@CaseyHarrisSr]

A remarkable warrior, rest in peace.

[@johninnh4880]

He lied about his Flying Tigers escapades and was an ass hat in general, due to his addiction to alcohol. He had a lot of accomplishments.

[@chriscarbaugh3936]

If you read a fair bit; seems he was a bit of a scam artist. Some kills questionable at best. 😢

[@briancooper2112]

Last 2 victories not witnessed. Foss and Boyington tied with 26. Boyington never got 28

[@TorquilBletchleySmythe]

4:25 Add "Inexcusable Trigger Discipline" to his list of questionable behaviour.

[@NoLove0341]

Fat electrician just did a video on the flying tigers in china in ww2. Great video.

[@akfreed6949]

Pappy Boyington was a better pilot than Chuck Yeager . UFO Messiah John Lear wasn't impressed with Yeager . Yeager claims Scott Crossfield broke the sound barrier first . He also quickly brought up the plane Yeager crashed . He blamed Yeager's overrated flying . Pappy was a better pilot .

[@AndrewHoops-o6l]

My mom's older cousin was in the Marines during ww2 that he was at iwo jima from the start of the fight till the end of the conflict which the Marines captured the island 🎉❤.

[@Charles-k9g5y]

I loved the series too but don’t get your history from tv shows.

[@theraplawyer]

Wasn't he part Native American?

[@theallseeingmaster]

I read his book, twice.

[@danielbrown8431]

What was the name of the book

[@theallseeingmaster]

@@danielbrown8431 "Baa Baa Black Sheep", of course. I had my dad's paperback edition that disintegrated ten years ago.

[@GeorgeMartinRcScratchbuilds]

Robert Conrad,played Pappy

[@stevenvail6277]

Boyinton was a loose cannon and a jerk but thankfully he was our loose cannon and jerk! BTW Boyinton was raised in my home city of Issaquah, WA

[@murrayscott9546]

Double-likes for the Joe Louis reference !

[@garykubodera9528]

Just noticed that the photo of him in the cockpit..he looks an awful lot like todays Jeremy Renner..🤔

[@Tophet1]

So many adjectives in the commentary !

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Thank YOU SO MUCH FOR THE DAMN LOUD MUSIC @#$#@@*^%%$

[@DukeRaul]

😢

[@garypic4083]

Only reason to watch Black Sheep was to see the Planes

[@Paladin1873]

This video is chocked full or errors and omissions, especially the fairy tale ending about Boyington straightening out his life. He remained a lifelong drinker, smoker, brawler, and womanizer (and that's putting matters kindly). With regard to his military record, the facts are equally muddied. To begin with, Eddie Rickenbacker's score in WWI was 26 aerial kills, not 25. Joe Foss was the only Marine pilot to match it and he did so in 44 days of fighting from Guadalcanal while flying the F4F Wildcat. Boyington's record is harder to pin down because it includes his questionable score with the AVG and later kills which cannot be verified as his. In the end the Marine Corps settled on a total of 28, which is very likely a complete fabrication. When one asks why this was done, the simplest answer is America needed heroes at the time. Boyington knew this, so he went along with the scheme and probably ended up believing it himself over time. Even the man who is reputed to have bested him in his last dogfight, Masajiro Kawato, later discovered the potential profitability and fame in supporting these fabrications. Both men were in on the con and the public ate it up. I don't condemn them for their actions. In combat they took many risks and deserve some accolades for their real accomplishments, even if they are covered a haze of fiction. Perhaps Boyington summed it up best when he self-mockingly stated in the last line of his autobiography, "Show me a hero, and I'll show you a bum".

[@PeterKavanagh-s1d]

Avoided

[@cat22_a1]

We are poor little lambs who have lost our way Baa Baa Baa

[@briancooper2112]

Boyington and other pows almost killed by raid on Rabaul.

[@kevincocking8561]

the man all you can say

[@mzimm460]

Bogan ville

[@murrayscott9546]

Bah-ah-ah !

[@paulus12345]

Great video, but in places the music was SO LOUD I couldn't hear what was being said. So I pressed the mute button & read the subtitles 🙁!

[@gregdyer3236]

Why have the music at all?

[@briancooper2112]

He squardron called him Gramps.

[@oldcremona]

5:23

[@briancooper2112]

@oldcremona ?

[@oldcremona]

@@briancooper2112 did you hit the time

[@briancooper2112]

@oldcremona no.

[@briancooper2112]

Blind

[@briancooper2112]

I met Boyington in 1979 at a airshow. Not impressed.

[@ReneTodLaizer]

I thought this video was going to be about napalm....

[@rd468magnum]

😮.. boi.. boi

[@janlindtner305]

👍👍👍

[@mingfanzhang4600]

😊😊

[@mingfanzhang8927]

😊

[@billpetersen298]

Nice touch, wearing the nationalists flag. (Who fought the Japanese, as the communists waited) Now in exile, as Taiwan.

[@briancooper2112]

Now. Utube will suspend me for 1 day. Always happens.

[@PeterKavanagh-s1d]

Why the air core? These would if applications determine absolutely no. The seargents determine the privates destinations. The interest in a here logistic revision is an interest in flight. The many let's see the recruitment lists. The reasoning . That is of no need to be secretive requires the following. That is the list here names blacked of fulfil of all required abilities , it is here a number conservative 5000 people.niw there is n machines. Then there is actual translation of personall which is to . That is not a game that is not a the slow motion . Death is the end. It is more to be in these well next six years a real very short of engaged war. Six years? So it's no arguing no relaxation the tiredness determines sleep. To learn quiet. To not open to . That application could be sent to a Dr. Not to a flight or soldier to a nation.. war is not a competition of two points , three losses five wins these have no meaning in war. Seargent preparation . The repetions of no repetions. The fall . The not a word up by it's different to war it's often ............

[@guytrimble8171]

You made no sense.

[@joeyo4134]

Stop with the generic gotcha clickbait titles it’s so unprofessional! Is this channel a buzzfeed quiz now? You started this a few months ago and I don’t want to click on this shit.

[@iandibley8032]

If Dark Docs disturbs you so much ,there may be another channel to your liking. No one is twisting your arm to watch Dark Docs.

[@yomomma107]

The true definition of an American badass. Unlike these kids today with their feelings... pathetic

[@donchonealyotheoneal5456]

Proving even the black sheep has a purpose in this life