Before They Were the Black Sheep: Marine Fighting Squadron VMF-214 and the Battle for the Solomon Islands

World War II letters of a New Englander's journey from civilian to elite fighter squadron pilot

Before the Marine Fighting Squadron VMF-214 became known as the Black Sheep squadron led by "Pappy" Boyington, this air group was already flying missions from Guadalcanal. Commissioned in 1942, the squadron was originally known as "The Swashbucklers."

Lt. Carl Dunbar was one of the squadron's original pilots, and his letters home describe the training and living conditions he faced as a Marine in the Pacific theater during the early years of World War II. Dunbar ultimately flew eighty-two missions during the Solomon campaign, and this volume includes his private logbook.

Like many veterans, after returning to the United States Dunbar rarely spoke about his wartime service. Only after his death did his son Peter discover this trove of material, and his commentary provides context for each of his father's letters. Both personal and universal, this volume offers a glimpse of what life was like for a man with a great sense of loyalty and compassion caught up in the war of his generation.

1148099264
Before They Were the Black Sheep: Marine Fighting Squadron VMF-214 and the Battle for the Solomon Islands

World War II letters of a New Englander's journey from civilian to elite fighter squadron pilot

Before the Marine Fighting Squadron VMF-214 became known as the Black Sheep squadron led by "Pappy" Boyington, this air group was already flying missions from Guadalcanal. Commissioned in 1942, the squadron was originally known as "The Swashbucklers."

Lt. Carl Dunbar was one of the squadron's original pilots, and his letters home describe the training and living conditions he faced as a Marine in the Pacific theater during the early years of World War II. Dunbar ultimately flew eighty-two missions during the Solomon campaign, and this volume includes his private logbook.

Like many veterans, after returning to the United States Dunbar rarely spoke about his wartime service. Only after his death did his son Peter discover this trove of material, and his commentary provides context for each of his father's letters. Both personal and universal, this volume offers a glimpse of what life was like for a man with a great sense of loyalty and compassion caught up in the war of his generation.

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Before They Were the Black Sheep: Marine Fighting Squadron VMF-214 and the Battle for the Solomon Islands

Before They Were the Black Sheep: Marine Fighting Squadron VMF-214 and the Battle for the Solomon Islands

Before They Were the Black Sheep: Marine Fighting Squadron VMF-214 and the Battle for the Solomon Islands

Before They Were the Black Sheep: Marine Fighting Squadron VMF-214 and the Battle for the Solomon Islands

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Overview

World War II letters of a New Englander's journey from civilian to elite fighter squadron pilot

Before the Marine Fighting Squadron VMF-214 became known as the Black Sheep squadron led by "Pappy" Boyington, this air group was already flying missions from Guadalcanal. Commissioned in 1942, the squadron was originally known as "The Swashbucklers."

Lt. Carl Dunbar was one of the squadron's original pilots, and his letters home describe the training and living conditions he faced as a Marine in the Pacific theater during the early years of World War II. Dunbar ultimately flew eighty-two missions during the Solomon campaign, and this volume includes his private logbook.

Like many veterans, after returning to the United States Dunbar rarely spoke about his wartime service. Only after his death did his son Peter discover this trove of material, and his commentary provides context for each of his father's letters. Both personal and universal, this volume offers a glimpse of what life was like for a man with a great sense of loyalty and compassion caught up in the war of his generation.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780813040844
Publisher: University Press of Florida
Publication date: 09/18/2011
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 304
File size: 9 MB

About the Author

Peter M. Dunbar is a lawyer and partner with the Tallahassee-based firm of Pennington, Moore, Wilkinson, Bell and Dunbar and serves as an adjunct professor of law at Florida State University.
Peter M. Dunbar is a lawyer and partner with the Tallahassee-based firm of Pennington, Moore, Wilkinson, Bell and Dunbar and serves as an adjunct professor of law at Florida State University.

Table of Contents

Prologue 1

1 Squantum Naval Air Station and the U.S. Naval Reserve Aviation Base in Atlanta, December 17, 1941-March 9, 1942 4

2 U.S. Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida, March 12, 1942-July 12, 1942 35

3 U.S. Naval Air Station, Miami, Florida, July 28, 1942-November 11, 1942 97

4 San Diego to Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, December 5, 1942-March 12, 1943 133

5 Fighter One Air Base, Guadalcanal, March 13, 1943-May 28, 1943 160

6 Advance Base Knucklehead, Banika in the Russell Islands, June 6, 1943-August 14, 1943 199

7 Airfield at Munda Point, New Georgia Island, August 15, 1943-August 31, 1943 236

8 Bougainville and Home 258

Epilogue 267

Acknowledgments 273

Notes 275

Bibliography 289

Index 293

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