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Photo # NH 105690:  Lieutenant Colonel Gregory Boyington, USMCR

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Colonel Gregory Boyington, USMCR(Retired), (1912-1988)

Gregory Boyington was born on 4 December 1912 in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho. He studied aeronautical engineering at the University of Washington, graduating in 1934, and was subsequently employed by the Boeing Aircraft Company. He also served in the U.S. Army Coast Artillery Reserve and the Volunteer Marine Corps Reserve. In February 1936, Boyington was appointed from the State of Washington as a U.S. Marine Corps Reserve aviation cadet. After completing flight training in March 1937 at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, he was designated as a Naval Aviator and received orders to the Fleet Marine Force at Quantico, Virginia. In July 1937, he accepted a regular commission in the Marine Corps as a Second Lieutenant. A year later, following attendance at the Corps' Basic School, he joined the Second Marine Aircraft Group at San Diego, California. Promoted to First Lieutenant in November 1940, Boyington resigned his commission in the Summer of 1941 in order to join what became the American Volunteer Group (AVG) or "Flying Tigers".

During the next year, as the Sino-Japanese War expanded into a conflict involving the entire Asia-Pacific region, Boyington served in the AVG as a fighter pilot and squadron commander, claiming credit for shooting down several Japanese aircraft. In September 1942, after his return to the United States, he was commissioned a First Lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve and was promoted to the temporary rank of Major a few months later. Sent to the southern Pacific war zone, he served as Executive Officer of Marine Fighting Squadron One Hundred Twenty One (VMF-121) during the months following the fight for Guadalcanal. Later in 1943 Major Boyington received command of the newly-formed Marine Fighting Squadron Two Hundred and Fourteen (VMF-214), which flew F4U "Corsair" fighters in the campaign to seize bases in the Central Solomons and isolate the enemy stronghold at Rabaul, New Britain.

From 12 September 1943 to 3 January 1944, while commanding VMF-214, Boyington was credited with twenty-two more aerial victories (for a claimed total of twenty-eight, counting his AVG service) before being shot down near Rabaul on 3 January 1944. Picked up by a Japanese submarine, he spent the next twenty months as a prisoner of war. While in captivity Boyington was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. After the Japanese capitulation in August 1945, he was released from the Omori Prison Camp near Tokyo, Japan and returned to the United States. In recognition of his "extraordinary heroism and valiant devotion to duty" while in command of VMF-214, Lieutenant Colonel Boyington was presented with the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman in October 1945 White House ceremonies. He then made a Victory Bond Tour before reporting for duty at Marine Corps School, Quantico, Virginia. For his last duty station, he transferred to Marine Air West Coast at the Marine Corps Air Depot, Miramar, San Diego, California. His distinguished combat record resulted in promotion to the rank of Colonel upon his retirement in August 1947. Colonel Boyington died on 15 January 1988 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

This page features all the images we have concerning Gregory Boyington.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 93596

Major Gregory Boyington, USMCR


Shown in flight-gear while he was the Commanding Officer of Marine Fighting Squadron Two Hundred and Fourteen (VMF-214), circa 1943-1944.

Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Institute Photo Collection.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 41KB; 580 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 93597

Major Gregory Boyington, USMCR


Shown just before his take-off on 27 December 1943. At that time, he was the Commanding Officer of Marine Fighting Squadron Two Hundred and Fourteen (VMF-214). His aircraft is a Vought F4U "Corsair".

Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Institute Photo Collection.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 39KB; 580 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 93598

Major Gregory Boyington, USMCR


Climbs aboard his F4U "Corsair" aircraft for another try at the enemy, while serving as Commanding Officer of Marine Fighting Squadron Two Hundred and Fourteen (VMF-214) circa late 1943 or early 1944. He was credited with twenty-six victories in aerial combat before being shot down and taken prisoner on 3 January 1944 .

Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Institute Photo Collection.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 37KB; 580 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 105690

Lieutenant Colonel Gregory Boyington, USMCR


Halftone reproduction of a photograph, copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 161. The original photograph was taken circa October 1945, at the time he received the award.
Gregory Boyington was awarded the Medal of Honor for from 12 September 1943 to 3 January 1944 while serving as Commanding Officer of Marine Fighting Squadron Two Hundred and Fourteen. During this time, he was credited with downing 26 enemy aircraft before being captured by the enemy.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 57KB; 580 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 105689

President Harry S. Truman

congratulates
Lieutenant Colonel Gregory Boyington, USMCR

After presenting him with the Medal of Honor on 5 October 1945, during Nimitz Day Celebrations at the White House, Washington, D.C.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 63KB; 740 x 585 pixels

 


In the following photograph, the man standing second from left, wearing Navy enlisted dungarees, has been credibly identified as Gregory Boyington:

Photo #: 80-G-338187

Surrender of Japan, 1945


Former U.S. Navy prisoners of war on board USS Reeves (APD-52) in Tokyo Bay, Japan, after being transferred from USS Benevolence (AH-13), 30 August 1945. They had just been liberated from the Nisson Mills Camp # 2, in the Tokyo Area.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 96KB; 740 x 615 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

The man standing second from left, wearing Navy enlisted dungarees, has been credibly identified as Gregory Boyington.



Medal of Honor citation of Major Gregory Boyington, USMCR (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 161):

"For extraordinary heroism and valiant devotion to duty as Commanding Officer of Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED FOURTEEN in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Central Solomons Area from 12 September 1943, to 3 January 1944. Consistently outnumbered throughout successive hazardous flights over heavily defended hostile terrority, Major Boyington struck at the enemy with daring and courageous persistence, leading his squadron into combat with devastating results to Japanese shipping, shore installations and aerial forces. Resolute in his efforts to inflict crippling damage on the enemy, Major Boyington led a formation of 26 fighters over Kahili on 17 October and, persistently circling the airdrome where 60 hostile aircraft were grounded, boldly challenged the Japanese to send up planes. Under his brilliant command, our fighters shot down 20 enemy craft in the ensuing action without the loss of a single ship. A superb airman and determined fighter against overwhelming odds, Major Boyington personally destroyed 26 of the many Japanese planes shot down by his squadron and, by his forceful leadership, developed the combat readiness in his command which was a distinctive factor in the Allied aerial achievements in this vitally strategic area."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 1 May 2008