Greg "Pappy" Boyington on "To Tell The Truth"

I'm going to pin this here to clear something up. Many well meaning comments insist that military members are REQUIRED to salute the MoH recipient. Some have, over the years, suggested that Pappy lied when he was sworn "To Tell the Truth". Obviously that answer deflected at least some of the panelists. The saluting of a MoH recipient by military personnel is NOT a regulation, law or in any other codified language. It is a tradition. It is highly encouraged (practically speaking you'd better) and anyone worthy of even a modicum of respect will render a salute, regardless of rank. It is thought that it's required by so many people and that's what made Pappy's response truthful yet elegantly misleading.

Pappy Boyington, what a legend. Seeing him on TV in 2022 is such a treat.

I grew up watching Baa Baa Black sheep as a boy. I joined the USMC out of high school. After boot camp and A school I was stationed at MCAS Yuma Az and attached to VMA214 Black Sheep Squadron. As a boy I dreamed of being a US Marine and being a Black Sheep. I got to live my childhood dream. Thank you Pappy for leading and being the CO of a bunch of hell raisers. Semper Fi! To my Marine brothers and to my VMA214 Family.

Many will mention his drinking habits, or the doubts on his tally, I say that a man who fought against Japan in China, then was handed command of a Corsair squadron, then went to a Japanese pow camp, and who came out of all this alive, deserves every form of respect, so he has mine.

I met Greg Boyington in the summer of 1978, at a lecture he gave at UNLV. I was 12 years old. after his lecture he had a question and answer period. half the room was full of Navy Brass and the other half Marines. My mother and I were the only civilians in the hall. Most of the questions revolved around different fighting techniques used against the Japanese. I finally had a chance to ask my question. "Did you give the information briefing to the Army pilots who shot down Yamamoto?" I think every eyeball in the place turned my way. There was a long pause... "Well yes son I did. But I don't think I have spoken about since that day." All eyes became riveted on Col Boyington. He went on to explain his part in their mission briefing, how to ration their fuel and what the local landmarks would look like to help them with their navigation. After his lecture was over he gave me a copy of his book and invited myself and my mother out for breakfast. (The lecture started at 7:00 AM) which we happily accepted. He lead a rough and tumble life. But he earned his honor and dignity in the end. RIP he was at the end of it all a good man to have known and spent time with.

Boyington once joked that he was the only POW whose health improved while in Japanese captivity, he said "They kept me sober for a year and a half."

Every American owes a debt of gratitude to these men for the sacrifices they made for us. Pappy is among the greatest aviators of all time.

In Marine Corps boot camp we would always say, "Goodnight, Chesty, wherever you are". The people in that audience more than likely didn't have a clue who Gregory "Pappy" Boyington was or the pure hell he went through to preserve American freedom. What a truly brave and tough man he was. Goodnight, Pappy, wherever you are and Semper Fidelis, my big brother!

Pappy is one hero from WWII I wish I could have met. I've read his book 3 times over the years. You might be gone Pappy, but you are never forgotten. My salute to you. Semper Fi!

In the early 80's I went to the warlord meet at Madera, CA. In the row of vendors was a tent with Pappy selling and signing his book. A couple of tents down was Saburo Sakai ,Japanese ace, doing the same. Every once in a while one or the other would step out and hurle insults at the other. "I SHOT YOU DOWN,, YOU COULDN'T HIT THE BROAD SIDE OF A BARN" ,ect. At the end of the airshow my buddy's and me stayed around and got drafted to help push airplanes around. When all was done and we were walking back to our car , off to one side saw Pappy and Saburo climbing into the same motor home. Always remembered that. Shared experiences build strong bonds even among former enemies

There are a class of men I'll never insult. Pappy is in that class.

What a true American hero that deserved the recognition and praise he received. Wish there were alot more like him today.

We need Heroes today as much as we did then. Pappy was a shining example.

I met Mr. Boyington at the EAA air show when I was around 10 years old, where he signed my book of WWII fighter aircraft. My dad kept telling me who he was and what he had done, and I was so star-struck, I don't think I said a word!

I met Pappy Boyington in the 80s at a Reno Pylon Racing event. What a outstanding United States Marine. It was men like him that kept me free as a child. Thank You Major Boyington.

My father was a Marine on Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian. On Guadalcanal he saw Pappy’s counterpart Joe Foss another Ace. Dad was in awe of the fighter pilots. Years later I was at a gathering of Pacific theater fighter pilots and each told me they were in awe of the Marines fighting sometimes hand to hand in the jungle Ordinary men did extraordinary things

At that point the guy was a real living legend. My dad was a Sea Bee in the Philippines and we watched this episode. Totally impressed.

Col. Boyington was a real-life hero of mine, I used to love the TV series "Black Sheep Squadron back in 1977-8 and used to watch it regularly.

Surprised the audience didnt give Pappy a standing O...I certainly would have.

Pappy a was a great Marine and fighter pilot as well. Semper Fi Pappy, and RIP MY BROTHER.