The personal "WWII US Navy Naval Aviator Pilot Wings" from the estate of Boyington, manufactured in gold-plated sterling silver. The badge is framed together with the original handwritten letter from Boyington, dated 1984, accompanying the transmission of his wings to a collector named Steve: ".. the last thing, other than the Medal of Honor, that is in my possession...". Also included is a group photograph taken with him in front of his aircraft in Southeast Asia bearing his signature. Dimensions 56 x 43.5 cm. Condition 2.
Additionally, a large framed color print "‘Pappy’ Boyington scores his first victory" by W.J. Reynolds 1979, numbered 806/1000, with the autograph signature of "Pappy" Boyington: "June 16 1979 with warmest regards from Pappy Boyington". Dimensions 69 x 77 cm. Condition 2.

Gregory "Pappy" Boyington (December 4, 1912 – January 11, 1988) was an American combat pilot who was a United States Marine Corps fighter ace during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. A Marine aviator with the Pacific fleet in 1941, Boyington joined the "Flying Tigers" (1st American Volunteer Group) of the Republic of China Air Force and saw combat in Burma in late 1941 and 1942 during the Second Sino-Japanese War.

In September 1942, Boyington rejoined the Marine Corps. In early 1943, he deployed to the South Pacific and began flying combat missions in the F4U Corsair fighter. On August 14, 1943, he took command of Marine fighter squadron VMF-214 ("Black Sheep").

In January 1944, Boyington, outnumbered by Japanese "Zero" planes, was shot down into the Pacific Ocean after downing one of the enemy planes. He was captured by a Japanese submarine crew and was held as a prisoner of war for more than a year and a half. He was released shortly after the surrender of Japan.

The television series Baa Baa Black Sheep was inspired by Boyington and his men in the "Black Sheep" squadron. It ran for two seasons in the late 1970s.

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The Naval Aviator Wings of Gregory “Pappy” Boyington – A Relic of American Aviation History

Among the most revered insignia in American military aviation, the United States Naval Aviator Insignia – universally known as the “Wings of Gold” – occupies a singular place. Virtually unchanged for over a century, these wings symbolize qualification as a naval aviator and have adorned the uniforms of some of the most distinguished pilots in American history. That the wings presented here were the personal property of Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, one of the most celebrated fighter aces of the Second World War, lends this small collection an extraordinary historical weight.

Origins and Design of the Naval Aviator Wings

Official approval for the Naval Aviator’s device was granted on 7 September 1917, when the Secretary of the Navy approved Change 12 to the 1913 uniform regulations, formally establishing a distinctive insignia for naval aviators. Before this date, pilots serving in the Navy had no official symbol to represent their status as qualified military aviators. Remarkably, the official approval was announced before a final design had even been agreed upon – a reflection of the urgency with which the growing role of naval aviation demanded recognition.

The design was created by John H. Towers around 1917 and consists of a single fouled anchor (an anchor with a tangled chain) surmounted by a shield, centered on a pair of spread wings – all rendered in gilt metal. The first wings were manufactured by the distinguished firm of Bailey, Banks, and Biddle of Philadelphia and delivered to the Navy in December 1917. The initial pins were issued to aviators early in 1918.

What makes the Naval Aviator Insignia particularly distinctive is that, unlike the Air Force and the Army, the naval services do not employ senior or command-level aeronautical ratings. The US Navy, US Marine Corps, and US Coast Guard all issue an aviator badge in a single degree, with all three branches sharing the identical design. Variations exist only in manufacturing methods and manufacturer, never in official grade or class. The badge is worn on the left breast and is issued to officers and men of the Navy and Marine Corps who qualify as Naval Aviators upon completion of advanced flight training.

Materials and Wartime Manufacture

Naval aviator wings are gold in color. During the Second World War, they were produced by various manufacturers including AMICO (American Insignia Company), H&H, Meyer, and others. Period wings were typically manufactured in sterling silver with a thick layer of 10-karat gold-filled material on top, often marked as “1/20 10K GonS,” or in sterling silver with gold plating. The regulation size was approximately 2-3/4 inches wide by 7/8 inch high, with slight variations depending on the manufacturer. The reverse typically bore manufacturer markings, material hallmarks such as “STERLING,” and pin fasteners or clutches. The specific wings in this collection are described as sterling silver with gold plating, consistent with known WWII-era production methods.

Gregory “Pappy” Boyington – Medal of Honor Recipient and Fighter Ace

Gregory “Pappy” Boyington (December 4, 1912 – January 11, 1988) was an American combat pilot and United States Marine Corps fighter ace during World War II. He received both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross, placing him among the most highly decorated aviators in American military history.

A Marine aviator with the Pacific fleet in 1941, Boyington joined the “Flying Tigers” (1st American Volunteer Group) of the Republic of China Air Force and saw combat in Burma in late 1941 and 1942 during the Second Sino-Japanese War. In September 1942, he rejoined the Marine Corps. Early in 1943, he deployed to the South Pacific, where he began flying combat missions in the F4U Corsair fighter. On August 14, 1943, he took command of Marine fighter squadron VMF-214, which became famous under the nickname “Black Sheep.” Boyington personally destroyed a significant number of the many Japanese aircraft shot down by his squadron.

In January 1944, Boyington was outnumbered by Japanese “Zero” fighters and was shot down into the Pacific Ocean after destroying one of the enemy planes. He was captured by a Japanese submarine crew and endured more than a year and a half as a prisoner of war. He was released only after the surrender of Japan.

On October 5, 1945, Lieutenant Colonel Gregory Boyington was presented with the Medal of Honor in a White House ceremony. The medal had been awarded in March 1944, but was held in the event that he became available to receive it personally – a poignant detail that reflects both the hope for his return and the magnitude of his service.

Boyington’s fame extended beyond his wartime exploits. The television series “Baa Baa Black Sheep,” inspired by Boyington and his men of the Black Sheep squadron, ran for two seasons in the late 1970s, bringing his story to a broad popular audience.

Collecting Significance

Vintage WWII-era Naval Aviator Wings from notable aviators like Boyington have become highly collectible military memorabilia. The present collection pairs the personal wings with a framed color print by W.J. Reynolds (1979) titled “Pappy Boyington scores his first victory,” bearing Boyington’s handwritten inscription. Together, these pieces form a compelling ensemble that preserves the memory of one of America’s most courageous Marine aviators.