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Arlington National Cemetery
  7A-150 

BORN:  December 04, 1912 at Coeur D'Alene, ID

Entered Service in the US Marine Corps from Washington

Earned the Medal of Honor during World War II For heroism on September 12, 1943 - January 03, 1944 at Solomon Islands, Pacific Ocean

Major Boyington was commanding officer of Marine Fighting Squadron 214 in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Central Solomons September 1943 to January 1944. Consistently outnumbered throughout successive hazardous flights over heavily defended hostile territory, Major Boyington struck at the enemy with daring and courageous persistence, leading his squadron into combat with devastating results to Japanese shipping, shore installations, and aerial forces. Resolute in his efforts to inflict crippling damage on the enemy, Major Boyington led a formation of 24 fighters over Kahili on October 17 and, persistently circling the airdrome where 60 hostile aircraft were grounded, boldly challenged the Japanese to send up planes. Under his brilliant command, our fighters shot down 20 enemy craft in the ensuing action without the loss of a single ship. A superb airman and determined fighter against overwhelming odds, Major Boyington personally destroyed 26 of the many Japanese planes shot down by his squadron. He was later shot down in action and held as a prisoner of war.