LOWER BRULE SIOUX WORLD WAR II ACE GREGORY “PAPPY” BOYINGTON IS AWARDED CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR
Born December 4, 1912, in Couer d’Alene, Idaho, Major Boyington first earned fame in World War II with the Flying Tigers. Later, commanding Marine Fighting Squadron 214 (Black Sheep Squadron), “Pappy,” of Sioux heritage, earned the Medal of Honor (MoH) for actions in the Central Solomons Area from September 1943 to January 1944. The MoH dedication specifically notes the Kahili raid in October 1943. “The 214” downed 20 enemy planes while losing none. On January 3, 1944, he tied WW I ace Eddie Rickenbacker’s record-26 enemy planes downed- but was shot down and spent 2 years as a POW. He also received the Navy Cross, 2 Presidential Unit Citations, and the Purple Heart. His autobiography, Baa Baa Black Sheep later became a TV series. “Pappy” was inducted into the Naval Aviation Hall of Honor and is honored in a Medal of Honor Memorial at his alma mater, the University of Washington. He died in Fresno, California, on January 11, 1988, and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Source: “Great Sioux Nation Medal of Honor Recipients,” Kul Wicasa Oyate – Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. Retrieved 7/15/2019, http://www.lbst.org/newsite/files/MoHGreatSiouxNation.html
Photo: US Marine Corps. Public Domain. Photograph taken by an officer or employee of the United States Government as part of that person’s official duties under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the US Code.