VMF-214 Hawaiian Shirt

The VMF-214 was formed during the Second World War as VMF-214 (the ‘F’ standing for ‘fighter’) and was based at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa on the island of Oahu (Hawaii) on 1 July 1942. It operated F4F Wildcats. The pilots of VMF-214 completed two tours of duty before being transferred to Espiritu Santo Island, under the command of the United States Navy.

In 1943, after leaving the Flying Tigers, Major Gregory Boyington was assigned to the Marine Corps. There, he assembled a squadron of 27 pilots of varying levels of experience.

With the fighting in the Pacific constantly requiring new pilots, due to preparations for the attack on Bougainville Island in the Solomon Islands archipelago, Boyington was tasked with a near-impossible mission: to train these 27 pilots on the Corsair in less than three months. He would then temporarily take command of VMF-214.

VMF-214 (Black Sheep Squadron) at Espiritu Santo on 11 September 1943. Note: Major Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, 8th from the left

In view of the squadron’s results, Major Boyington retained command of VMF-214. He took part in staff meetings and introduced new tactics.

VMF-214 destroyed more than 203 Japanese aircraft, including 97 in aerial combat, sank numerous ships and, above all, systematically provoked the Japanese on their own territory.

VMF-214 was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for its overall actions.