Free Republic

Fascinating pictures of America's famous WW2 Black Sheep Squadron whose efforts helped win the war in the Pacific have been released in vibrant color. The series shows the squadron's commanding officer, Colonel Gregory 'Pappy' Boyington who received the Medal of Honour and the Navy Cross, briefing his men on strategy and tactics before the 17 October 1943 attack on Kahili airdrome at Bougainville island, Papua New Guinea. In this raid 'Pappy' and 24 fighters circled the field where 60 enemy aircraft were based to goad them into sending a large force. In the ensuing air battle, 20 enemy aircraft were...

Another hero has gone to a better place. Retired Marine Brig. Gen. Bruce J. Matheson (standing seventh from the right) died Thursday of lung cancer and a heart attack. A member of the famed Black Sheep Squadron in World War II, Gen. Matheson flew a F3D Skyknight in Korea, and had about 400 missions flying Huey's in Vietnam. Gen. Matheson received three Legions of Merit, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, more than 30 Air Medals and a Purple Heart. The original article ran in the Honolulu Advertiser which we cannot even excerpt. However, you can read the obituary HERE.