Pappy Boyington

On February 12, 2010, Conversations with American Heroes at the Watering Hole will feature with former Marine and filmmaker Kevin Gonzalez on his film Pappy Boyington Field: A Campaign to Honor a Hero.

Program Date: February 12, 2010
Program Time: 2100 Hours Pacific
Topic: Pappy Boyington
Listen Live: www.americanheroesradio.com/pappy_boyington.html

About the Guest
Kevin Gonzalez served a four-year enlistment in the U. S. Marine Corps, and then graduated from the University of Southern California. He is the writer, producer and director of Pappy Boyington Field: A Campaign to Honor a Hero.

About the Film
Kevin Gonzalez says of the film, “Strap into the cockpit for an inspirational story about duty, honor, and courage. “Pappy Boyington Field” tells the story of the grass-roots effort to honor a WWII Hero in the town of his birth. For many years a controversy brewed over the proposal to add a commemorative name to an airfield in a small town in Idaho. The film follows members of the community who battled against the bureaucracy, and weaves in their stories during the campaign. "Pappy" Boyington was born in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho in 1912, and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his exemplary service during World War Two. Personal insights into Pappy Boyington’s life are provided by his son Greg Boyington Jr., as well as actor Robert Conrad who portrayed Pappy in the television series “Baa Baa Black Sheep.” Aerial film footage of the vintage F4U Corsair is showcased, as well as Jet aircraft flown by today's Marine Corps fighter pilots. Additionally, the music of The United States Marine Band “The President’s Own” is featured in the film.”

About Pappy Boyington
According to the website www.pappboyingtonfield.com, “Gregory Boyington was born in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on December 4, 1912. He spent his childhood in the northern panhandle of Idaho, and eventually his mother moved to Tacoma, WA and later he graduated from Lincoln High School. He attended the University of Washington, where he graduated with a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering. He would then go on to work for the Boeing Company as a draftsman and engineer.

He would eventually enter the U.S. Marine Corps, and after completion of the Officer Training he went on to flight training. He possessed natural abilities that distinguish him in the cockpit early on, but his lifestyle was not without controversy.

Boyington was offered a position with a group that would eventually become the American Volunteer Group (AVG), better known as the Flying Tigers. He resigned his commission in the Marine Corps and set off to China to fly against the Japanese. At the outbreak of WWII, after making his way back from China, he managed to return to the Marine Corps with a Major’s commission. As he was already an experienced fighter pilot with victories against the Japanese, his skills were much needed in the war effort. From Guadalcanal he would eventually assume command of a group of pilots who were not already assigned to a squadron, and they would go on to be known as the “Black Sheep Squadron”. Because he was older than the other pilots, they would call him “Gramps” and eventually that let to “Pappy” and it stuck. (He was 31 years old).

The Black Sheep Squadron amassed an impressive record of victories against the Japanese. Pappy Boyington was credited with 26 victories, until he was himself shot down over the Pacific and captured by the Japanese. He spent 20 months as a Prisoner of War, and was listed as Missing in Action for the duration of the war. Upon his liberation from the prison camp at the end of the war, he returned stateside and was greeted as a hero. The paperwork for his award of the Medal of Honor was already working through the system when he was shot down, it would be approved by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. With his status listed as missing and presumed dead, his award was held in the capitol until the end of the war.”

About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is Police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. American Heroes Radio brings you to the watering hole, where it is Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.

About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in Law Enforcement, public policy, Public Safety Technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in Law Enforcement.

Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:
www.americanheroesradio.com/pappy_boyington.html
Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530