A recent post from my CHANCE VOUGHT F4U CORSAIR collection. The VMF-215 “Black Sheep” squadron led by Major Gregory “Pappy” Boyington. To his men he was known as “Gramps” rather than “Pappy” which was a moniker created by the press.
George Ashmun was “Pappy’s” wingman on his final mission in which he was shot down over Simpson Harbor at Rabaul in January of 1944. Ashmun did his best to cover Boyington’s “6” but ultimately, heavily outnumbered, both pilots were shot down and Ashmun perished.
Originally shared by Pete Panozzo
Taken around the beginning of October 1943, this photo shows a very tired and war weary Black Sheep squadron in the Russell Island group. They have just lost one fellow pilot, while four others are MIA or recovering from wounds in hospital. Back Row, from left: John Begert, Bob Bragdon, Don Fisher, Bruce Matheson, Jim Hill, and George Ashmun. Third Row, from left: Chris Magee, Don Moore, Hank Bourgeois, Burney Tucker, Warren Emrich, and John Bolt. Second Row, from left: Paul Mullen, Bill Heier, Virgil Ray, Ed Harper, Bob McClurg, and Sandy Sims. Front row, from left: Bill Case, Frank Walton, Stan Bailey, Greg Boyington, Jim Reames (the flight surgeon), and Ed Olander. Photo: Frank Walton Collection, Colourization by We, the People Restoration and Colorization
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