Pappy Boyington

Colonel Gregory "Pappy" Boyington (December 4, 1912 - January 11, 1988) was an American fighter pilot who flew with the American Volunteer Group (the Flying Tigers) in China and became a US Marine Corps ace in World War II.

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Boyington was born in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho but grew up in the logging town of St. Maries, Idaho and later, Tacoma, Washington where he was a wrestler in high school. He first flew when he was eight years old, with Clyde Pangborn, who later flew the Pacific non-stop.

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In 1930, Boyington entered the University of Washington where he participated in the ROTC and became a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He was a member of the college wrestling and swimming teams, and at one time held the Pacific Northwest Intercollegiate middleweight wrestling title. He graduated in 1934 with a B.S. in aeronautical engineering.

1912: 1912 was a leap year starting on Monday....

January 11: January 11 is the 11th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 354 days remaining (355 in leap years)....

1988: 1988 is a leap year starting on a Friday of the Gregorian calendar....