Once They Were Eagles: The Men of the Black Sheep Squadron [Paperback]

Frank Walton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 27, 1996

" Marine Corps Fighter Squadron 214 was hastily organized in the field during World War II to meet the urgent need for another combat squadron in the South Pacific. The squadron, self-named the "Black Sheep," went on under the leadership of the swashbuckling "Pappy" Boyington to become the most famous in Marine Corps history. Now comes the true story of the Black Sheep Squadron and the men who wrote its record in the Pacific skies. Once They Were Eagles tells how and why the squadron was formed, provides brief sketches of every member, and creates a vivid picture of the exciting but deadly aerial sorties over the South Pacific. Frank E. Walton located the thirty-four survivors of the fifty-one original Black Sheep. In a unique series of interviews, former "Eagles" share their recollections of those days of high adventure and their experiences in the years to follow.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

For 84 days during World War II Marine Fighting Squadron 214 ranged over the South Pacific led by a hard-drinking but gifted pilot and tactician named Gregg "Pappy" Boyington. The "Black Sheep," though well known at the time, have received only scant mention in military history (there was a highly fictional TV series in the 1970s). Walton was the 214's intelligence officer, knew all the principals personally, and recently contacted or interviewed the surviving 34 (out of 5l); vignettes of these make up the second half of the work. The first half, a unit history, is rather sketchy and anecdotal but vividly re-creates conditions under which the South Pacific war was fought; Walton's personal recollections and documents (in appendixes) are welcome. An enjoyable book, long overdue for World War II aviation buffs. Mel D. Lane, Sacramento, Cal.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"A study of immense value of how Marines battled the vaunted Japanese Zero and emerged victorious." -- Leatherneck

"A fascinating study of the overnight development of a diverse group of American youth reacting with shock to the attack on Pearl Harbor." -- Marine Corps Gazette

"A new and refreshing look at this truly remarkable fighter pilot -- 'Pappy' Boyington -- and his squadron." -- Military History

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky (June 27, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813108756
• ISBN-13: 978-0813108759
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #467,729 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Different Point Of View, March 27, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Once They Were Eagles: The Men of the Black Sheep Squadron (Paperback)

The Black Sheep legend, as retold through the eyes of the survivors. The first half of the book is the squadron history of VMF 214, from the time of its resurrection under the command of Major Gregory Boyington, until the squadron was disbanded, and the squadron number reassigned to another outfit, after Boyington went missing in action (and was presumed dead), near the end of their second tour under his command. The last half of the book is a personal history from each of the survivors, as to what the experience was like, how it has affected their lives, what they did in post Black Sheep life. An assortment of interesting characters, molded under the guidance of Boyington, in to "the terrors of the South Pacific". Very interesting, although it does vary some from the version told by Boyington himself in his autobiography "Baa Baa Black Sheep". As is only human, each man sees 'the truth' from his own perspective, so it is interesting to see the whole thing through the eyes of someone other than Boyington himself. This book shows that the Black Sheep were more than Boyington. They were a well rounded team, molded and hardened under the realities of aerial combat. It comes across quite clearly however, that regardless of what they thought of Boyington as a person (they didn't all look up to him like a bunch of starry eyed boys, as depicted in the TV show...some in fact were older than Boyington), they definitely respected him as "a warrior, a fighter & a leader", and one pilot recalls thinking of Boyington as "Jesus Christ himself", upon first being introduced. Originally published in 1986 (before Boyington's death), it is surprisingly frank in it's assessment, some might even say it's condemnation, of the leader of the Black Sheep, not so much in his days as the commanding officer of the 214, but in his postwar life. Many of them felt betrayed by Boyington, after his role as 'technical advisor' on the TV series. Overall it makes for an interesting read. Well worth it. Dave White

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book, April 13, 2000

By A Customer

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This review is from: Once They Were Eagles: The Men of the Black Sheep Squadron (Paperback)

I was a bit leary of this book when I started it. The claim of the author to be one of the Black Sheep, even though he was not one of the pilots seemed a bit odd. Well, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It is a very easy read and contains a good deal about the day to day life of a pilot in the South Pacific.

It also gives a terrific look into the people behind the personas of the Black Sheep, especially Pappy Boyington. The writer does a good job of relating the respect that his men had for him as well as about the team of pilots the Black Sheep were.

A very good read for a very good price.

24 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A more honest look than TV, but then, what isn't?, September 26, 2001

By 

George G. Kiefer (Sevierville, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Once They Were Eagles: The Men of the Black Sheep Squadron (Paperback)

As the intelligence office for the Black Sheep Squadron, author Frank Walton had access to their daily combat reports. He himself had written them. From these records and his later interviews with the surviving members of the group, he penned this history. Written primarily to dispel the myth created by the TV production, he most certainly shows the men in a more realistic light. The false presentation of these men by the writers of that series as "brawling bums" and "fugitives from courts-martial" does not stand in the light he casts upon them, their character and their record. In the second half of the book, Walton introduces each man as he was when the book was written in 1986. By and large, most became very successful.

But the drama of their fighting over the Solomons falls flat in the telling. Their aerial exploits read with all the excitement and anticipation of the menu at the corner hamburger joint. The men of the Black Sheep fought together for only 12 weeks and amassed the best kill record in the South Pacific: 94 kills in only 84 days. Pappy Boyington accounted for 26 (or 28, if he is to be believed). Unfortunately, these moments of high achievement are told in the driest of voices.

Perhaps the biggest fault in the book is Walton's almost non-telling of Boyington's troubled life. He originally left the Marine Aviators days before they would have put him out for unbecoming conduct and he left the Flying Tigers for much the same reason. This highly skilled combat pilot and gifted leader of men was deeply troubled and it manifested itself in his drinking and unpredictable fighting. Playing it down adds nothing to Walton's attempt to "set the record straight" for the rest of the squadron.

Given the resources at his command, his personal friendship with all 51 original members of the group and his intimate friendship with Boyington, one would have expected a better result. Walton's stated purpose was to clear the record for the men, to present them as the men of ability, honor and skill that they were. In this regard, he does succeed.