VMF-214 Blacksheep

 11"x14" Pencil print

 Maj. Gregory "Pappy" Boyington was an American combat pilot who was a United States Marine Corps fighter ace during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. A Marine aviator with the Pacific fleet in 1941, Boyington joined the "Flying Tigers" (1st American Volunteer Group) of the Republic of China Air Force and saw combat in Burma in late 1941 and 1942 during the military conflict between China and Japan.

In September 1942, Boyington rejoined the Marine Corps. In early 1943, he deployed to the South Pacific and began flying combat missions in the F4U Corsair fighter. In September 1943, he took command of Marine fighter squadron VMF-214 ("Black Sheep").The television series Baa Baa Black Sheep was inspired by Boyington and his men in the "Black Sheep" squadron.

Although he never flew in this specific aircraft, this limited-edition print by renowned Aviation artist, Gary Velasco, pays tribute to Maj. Boyington.