Swashbucklers and Black Sheep: A Pictorial History of Marine Fighting Squadron 214 in World War II - Hardcover

Bruce Gamble

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0760342504 ISBN 13: 9780760342503

Publisher: Zenith Press, 2012

Synopsis

Rare Book

About this title

Review:

"When we're still learning things about the Civil War 150 years later, it should be little surprise to find new material from World War II. But Bruce Gamble's fabulous treatment of the Black Sheep sets a new standard for 'above and beyond' his previous definitive treatments of VMF-214. Combining insightful text with a fabulous collection of photos and high-quality art, this book raises the bar in a field that routinely sees new material and fresh interpretations. An absolute treasure." - Barrett Tillman, author of Enterprise:America’s Fightingest Ship and the Men Who Helped Win World War

"...a magnificent account of the most famous U.S. Marine squadron of the second world war. It is a delight to own, to look at, and (best of all) to read. And since Gamble is first of all an author, the text isn’t just an afterthought, it’s a well-written history of VMF-214, both before and after the squadron became famous." - Smithsonian Air & Space magazine"

"This is an excellent book appropriately produced during the Marine Corps Aviation Centennial. The photographs and text pay tribute to a proud squadron, its history and to the men who served in it since 1942. This is a book Marine Corp fans will enjoy." - Tailhook Association Magazine The Hook

From the Back Cover:

The Black Sheep pilots under Greg “Pappy” Boyington were America’s most famous fighter squadron of World War II. The press paid close attention to them in 1943 as Boyington vied for the existing record of twenty-six aerial victories. On the same day he tied the record, Boyington was shot down and spent the rest of the war as a prisoner of the Japanese. The Boyington era was later popularized by the television series Baa Baa Black Sheep. Although Boyington himself served as an advisor, the show was entertainment, not history. Nevertheless, it brought wider attention to Boyington and the squadron, introducing new generations to their exploits in the South Pacific. But there was more to the Black Sheep than their record under Pappy Boyington. The squadron’s reputation was already growing before his arrival, when they were the Swashbucklers. After Boyington was lost, the squadron was assigned to the carrier Franklin and endured its tragic bombing near Japan. Swashbucklers and Black Sheep provides the first-ever pictorial record of these fighting Marines, with spectacular photos, full-color aircraft profiles, and fine art from several of America’s top aviation studios. It also includes a tribute to the squadron’s combat history from the Korean War to the present day.

About this edition

• Publisher: Zenith Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0760342504
• ISBN 13: 9780760342503
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 224