Lt. Col. Henry "BOO" Bourgeois that flew on the 2nd Tour with Pappy Boyington.
Posted on 11/14/2009 3:48:04 PM PST by jrushing
Lt. Col. Henry "BOO" Bourgeois that flew on the 2nd Tour with Pappy Boyington.
Henry Mayor "Hank" Bourgeois, one of the last surviving aviators from World War II's famed Black Sheep Squadron, died Monday at St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington. He was 88.
(Near New Orleans)
(Excerpt) Read more at nola.com ...
I loved the TV show...
What heroes they were...
RIP and thank you for your brave service to America...
Hand Salute...........................two
“I loved the TV show...”
Me too.
Did anyone play him in the TV show?
Thank you.
Say what you want about a P-51D, a Corsair (shown in background of photo) with the right pilot was definitely the toughest fighter plane of WWII.
Salute to this great hero.
The greatest generation is leaving us quickly. Given what passes for leadership today, it’s a huge loss...one that this generation doesn’t seem to realize.
Rest in Peace, Lt. Col Bourgeois
Off topic..but does anyone know how many of Doolittle’s men are still living. IIRC. the last survivor is supposed to open the bottle of brandy and toast his squadronmates
Rest In Peace “Boo”!
What a great plane. Also known as the ensign eliminator. It was know as such for a variety of reasons but foremost:
1. The huge engine had a tendency to roll the aircraft more so than other fighters.
2. In order to clear the huge prop blades from the deck of carriers the engine sits very high and the pilot has no forward view of the deck or ground.
Still my favorite plane. I love teh sounds of them.
ping
Yes, sadly they are. I lost my Dad a few years ago. He was a ball turret gunner on "The Silver Queen" B24.
Sadly, he fought fascism & now it's staring us in the face again.
As of April 2009 there are still 9 surviving members:
William M. Bower
Richard E. Cole
Thomas C. Griffin
Robert L. Hite
Frank A. Kappeler
James H. Macia
Charles J. Ozuk
Edward J. Saylor
David J. Thatcher
Not listed on Wiki for what thats worth.
The Black Sheep Squadron was wiped out by a Kamikaze that hit the pilot ready room while they were embarked on a carrier -- forget which carrier. Might have been Intrepid but I could be wrong. Pappy was in a Japanese prison camp by that point.
Many thanks...that’s what I love about FR...now, for your NEXT questison..do you perchance know the winning Powerball numbers for tonights drawing?
Thank you for your time and research.
Why Yes I do... However... That answer is gonna cost you! ;)
All I can say re: your Dad is...WOW!
My father was in the background. He drove supply trains around Italy. No actual combat, but still dangerous nonetheless.
Mom also helped the war effort...she was one of those who worked in a factory that was converted to providing materials for the war.
In that generation, I did not hear of the whining and politcal correctness we have today. People worked together to fight a common enemy. They knew who the enemy was.
My parents are both gone...as are their siblings, except for my mother’s youngest sister. As they all fade away, the world is a little dimmer.
I really like the F6F Gruman Hellcat. What a flying battle ship. My dad was in a B-17 durning the war.
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