Native American Warriors

The Marine Corps brass above Major Boyington didn't like him [N: the photograph below may explain why] - so they assigned to him all the flying misfits of the Marine Air Corps. The unit thus became known as "The Black Sheep Squadron".

Boyington was over a decade older than the pilots he flew with - they thus gave him the nickname of "Pappy" because of his advanced age.

. . .

During a furious dogfight with the Japs somewhere north of Guadalcanal, some of his Black Sheep were in danger with Japanese Zeros all around them.

Last observed, Major Boyington was seen flying straight into the mayhem.

When I finally came upon a photograph of Major Boyington, I was surprised by the appearance of his face, so I researched his heritage further: his mother was of Sioux Indian heritage.

What better American Fighter Pilot heritage could you ask for? -

a Sioux Warrior trained as an Aeronautical Engineer.

Major Boyington was never seen again.

The U.S. Marine Corps dutifully listed him as MIA [Missing in Action].