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

by Frank E. Walton

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.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II, Military Fiction, Historical, Aviation, Military History

236 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 1986

Reviews

[Terry Cornell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first became aware of the Black Sheep Squadron through the late 70s television series of the same name. Loosely based on the real life exploits of the Marine 214 Squadron the show glamorized the tropical island locale, off-duty boozing, and carousing with nurses stationed nearby. I loved watching those corsairs fly! Of course as most of us know, television is not real-life. (no nurses, unbearable humidity, and often living in mud from tropical rainstorms) Later I read Gregory Boyington's (the squadron commander} autobiography, and learned of his experiences with the squadron, and as a member of the Flying Tigers in China.

Frank Walton was the unit's Intelligence officer, and kept detailed records on the members of the unit. He gives brief bios on the group officers, and details their combat exploits in the South Pacific in the first half of the book. In the second half, he tracks down surviving pilots of the unit in the 80s and catches up with what they have accomplished since the war. The writing is straight forward. Some might consider the material a little on the dry side. I found it entertaining enough, and loved the follow-up with unit members. Amazing at what accomplished lives most of them led after the war.

Mr. Walton himself led one of these multi-faceted lives. He was an early Los Angeles County beach lifeguard in the 1930s. He had been a swimming champion at the University of Oregon, winning several championships and was a member of the US Olympic Water Polo Team in 1948. Before the war started he was an LA County Sheriff and LAPD Officer, returning there after the war to rise up through the ranks to be Asst. Chief. After retiring from the LAPD he worked for the US State Department working as an adviser training police in South Vietnam. What a life well done!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My sister introduced me to the TV series "Baa, Baa Black Sheep." When I saw the 1986 version of this book in her personal library, I decided to read it and get the real story behind the show. I'm glad I did! It's an amazing story! Not only is it action-packed, but the writing is engaging. I also appreciated the update at the end on the surviving members of the Black Sheep.

Some takeaways from the book:

While Gregory "Pappy" Boyington shot down the most Japanese airplanes during the Black Sheep's time in action, the entire squadron worked together as a team to shoot the enemy, distract enemy pilots and protect each other. They used an aggressive tactic that worked to drive the Japanese out of the area.

Each of the men recall their time as Black Sheep with fondness. From different parts of the country, they developed a bond, worked together as a team and appreciated the camaraderie in the air and on the ground.

Many of the men mention how their leaders served. The leaders did not ask the men to do something they were not willing to do - if the men had to fly an older Corsair, they knew their leaders would too, and Pappy in particular wanted to be in the air for as many engagements as possible.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in World War 2, biographies, heroes, pilots, the Marines or action books.

[Todd Kehoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Without divulging too much information, it’s a summary of the fighter squadron in WWII in the South Pacific of Marine fighter unit VMF-214. They were known as “The Black Sheep” squadron one of the more productive units in the war on shooting down Japanese military aircraft.

The story covers the lives of the pilots, missions & the larger battles they undertook. They unit only was in action for a period of three months from 1943-44, but finished off the conquest of the South Pacific before moving onto the Central Pacific Theater of WWII. The book also looks at the pilots later in life after war when the book was written in the 1980s. It’s a good overview of major Greg Boyington & his high scoring Black Sheep squadron who ruled the skies in their Marine Corsairs.

[Allen Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read BaBa Black Sheep sometime ago and this may lack some details but it gives a different perspective and tells you what became of the pilots after the war. Well worth the read for and WWII history buff.

[Paul S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book about the “Black Sheep Squadron” in WW 2. The book is a first person account but what makes it worthy of 4 stars is that it also interviews the members decades after the war to capture their thoughts as well as what they have done since the war.

[JerryDeanHalleck · Rating 2 out of 5]

Informative, fascinating, book about the post-war life of the Pilots who flew with Pappy Boyington and the famous "Black Sheep Squadron". Most of the book, summarizes his interviews with the men. Its amazing how successful most of the pilots were when they left the miltary.

[Mallory Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book but I am also a big WWII History and Aviation buff. This book contains first hand accounts and actually puts names, faces and missions to the war in the Pacific. It shows what the pilots and base crew did in their spare time, how they prepared for missions and how they really felf about the missions at hand. It also catches up with them all these years later to find out what they did after the war and what they are up to now. A great read!

[Jenny T · Rating 5 out of 5]

The history of VMF 214, the Black Sheep Squadron, during World War II, as told by their intelligence officer, Frank Walton. The first half details the day-to-day lives of the fighter pilots and their missions, while the second half contains interviews with the surviving members 40 years after the fact (late 1980s). A great read!