http://www.historynet.com/pappy-boyington-interview-with-the-us-world-war-ii-ace.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pappy-boyington-interview-with-the-us-world-war-ii-ace From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:15:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 http://www.historynet.com/pappy-boyington-interview-with-the-us-world-war-ii-ace.htm#comment-665410 Harry Foster Thu, 28 Jul 2011 22:04:36 +0000 #comment-665410 Col. Boyington was in many ways his own worst enemy. His heavy drinking lost him many a friendship which could have been very helpful later. He lost support of many of his AVG Flying Tiger friends because of his harsh criticism of General Chennault and the aircraft they flew. He failed to credit several of Flying Tiger friends who did outstanding service in the far east. Two fliers stand out in my mind, Robert H. Neale and Tex Hill yet Boyington never mentions or credits them. I knew both these pilots and they were true gentlemen and friends. Chennault was a great leader and deserved far more credit from Boyington than he gave him. The Col. was a crack shot and courage beyong belief yet his drinking did him in. Col. Boyington was in many ways his own worst enemy. His heavy drinking lost him many a friendship which could have been very helpful later. He lost support of many of his AVG Flying Tiger friends because of his harsh criticism of General Chennault and the aircraft they flew. He failed to credit several of Flying Tiger friends who did outstanding service in the far east. Two fliers stand out in my mind, Robert H. Neale and Tex Hill yet Boyington never mentions or credits them. I knew both these pilots and they were true gentlemen and friends. Chennault was a great leader and deserved far more credit from Boyington than he gave him. The Col. was a crack shot and courage beyong belief yet his drinking did him in.

]]> http://www.historynet.com/pappy-boyington-interview-with-the-us-world-war-ii-ace.htm#comment-575188 Barbara McOmish Fri, 27 May 2011 10:43:09 +0000 #comment-575188 Show me a hero and I'll show you a bum. As a soldier's daughter I appreciated reading this interview as it gave me further insight into the experience and post-war 'mindset' of my father; he had fought the Japanese in New Guinea - his brother and family had been interned by the Japanese in Java. To them all, the Pacific War was 'the real war'. I particularly appreciate Pappy's thoughts on the military establishment and how it tried to ocasionally thwart an unconventional, though effective warrior. Also, how he overcame the shortcomings of bad maps and at times non-existent maintenance on aircraft. Personal insights into historical figures like Chennault or Chiang Kai Shek (the latter especially presented as a hero in school history lessons!) made this interview a great 'read' and testament to a genuine hero. His final comment on the role of the military vs. politicians an eerie echo of the post-Pappy debacle of Iraq...Thankyou. Barb McOmish (Vissers) Show me a hero and I'll show you a bum. As a soldier's daughter I appreciated reading this interview as it gave me further insight into the experience and post-war 'mindset' of my father; he had fought the Japanese in New Guinea – his brother and family had been interned by the Japanese in Java. To them all, the Pacific War was 'the real war'. I particularly appreciate Pappy's thoughts on the military establishment and how it tried to ocasionally thwart an unconventional, though effective warrior. Also, how he overcame the shortcomings of bad maps and at times non-existent maintenance on aircraft. Personal insights into historical figures like Chennault or Chiang Kai Shek (the latter especially presented as a hero in school history lessons!) made this interview a great 'read' and testament to a genuine hero. His final comment on the role of the military vs. politicians an eerie echo of the post-Pappy debacle of Iraq…Thankyou. Barb McOmish (Vissers)

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