Baa Baa BLACK SHEEP

Signed on the half title page by

Colonel Gregory ‘Pappy’ Boyington

NB. “Semper Fi” is short for Semper Fidelis, a Latin phrase meaning “Always Faithful.” It is most famously the official motto of the United States Marine Corps, symbolizing loyalty, dedication, and lifelong commitment

G P Putnam & Sons. First edition, 17th printing (1958).  384 pages and well illustrated with photographs.

Fine condition hard back book in dark green boards with green pictorial endpapers.  There’s just a hint of spotting to the edge of the text block. The unclipped dustjacket is also in Fine condition and looks smart under the protective cover.

A Marine flyer since 1935, Boyington was encouraged to resign his commission to fly with the Flying Tigers in China.  There he shot down six Japanese aircraft but when he applied for reinstatement in the Marine Corps he found himself disgraced for ‘having left the Corps in a time of national emergency’.  For nearly 3 months he parked cars in a Seattle garage until, in desperation, he contacted the Under Secretary of the Navy and within a few days he was on the way to the South Pacific where he was given command of a squadron of misfits.  These pilots, unwanted by other outfits and led by the oldest active Marine fighter pilot, made one of the great stories of the war and the heart of this book is the colourful story of Boyington’s Black Sheep Squadron.

This then is the tale of a wild, hard drinking, professional Marine flyer who was one of the most unconventional heroes of the war. Winners of the USA’s highest honour are usually inspired to rise above themselves and set an example for all. “Pappy” Boyington had no desire to change his ways because he happened to be lucky and fearless, and a competent leader of men as wild and independent as he was. He had never let anyone kick him around, and he saw no reason why he should let the Japanese do so in the air or after he was taken prisoner.

A 26 victory ace, the Winner of a Congressional Medal of Honor and a Navy Cross for his achievements while leading the Black Sheep squadron in the South Pacific, Pappy had a year as a prisoner of the Japanese in which to gain emotional maturity and sobriety. As a returning ‘war hero’ he was pushed around more than he wanted to be, and his fall from grace made every newspaper in the country. It was not easy for him to find his way back to respectability, but he made it eventually. ‘Baa Baa Black Sheep’ is a wonderful tale and Colonel Boyington pulls no punches in the telling.

This is a really enjoyable read about one of America’s greatest flying characters who was immortalised in the 1970’s TV show about the Black Sheep Squadron.  Additionally, it is quite rare to find an undedicated copy of the book which was probably signed in the late 70s at the height of his second wave of celebrity following the TV series.