Lt. Colonel Gregory “Pappy” Boyington Comes Home – Marine’s top-ranking ace, rescued from a Jap prison, is greeted by squadron mates in San Francisco. “If you ever see me go down … I promise I’ll meet you in a San Diego bar six months after the war.” That was what “Pappy” Boyington, skipper of the Marine “Black Sheep” fighter squadron, told his mates back in 1943. On January 3, 1944, over Rabaul, he did go down and was lost. But Pappy kept his promise. On September, 12 he joined his pals at a bar. He was a few months early and the bar was in San Francisco instead of San Diego, but to the “Black Sheep” fliers it made no difference. Their leader and highest-ranking Marine ace was home safe. ….. 1945 LIFE Magazine Article, A5328A. 19451001