Ode to the Black Sheep
In the early morning hours,
as dawn is breaking.
They head to their planes,
few words are spoken.
As their thoughts focus
on what they may face
in the hours ahead.
The stillness is broken
by the roar of their engines
as they take to the air.
Climbing to an altitude of 23 angels
They patrol "The Slot"
from Bougainville to New Georgia
Their dark blue Corsairs streak
across the azure sky
as they fly around and through the clouds.
Below them, the tropical blue waters
of the Pacific shimmer in the sunlight.
The Black Sheep among the white sheep,
ever vigilant and on alert for enemy presence
in the air or on the water.
All is calm, nothing is in sight
except the clouds above and the ocean below
Then, over Kolombangara without warning,
from out of the clouds,
as if wild animals watching,
laying in wait, to attack their prey.
Forty, A6Ms, Zeros descend upon them
seeming to surround them from all directions.
In a heartbeat the atmosphere changes
from calm to chaotic.
The Zeros open fire and the air is filled
with the sounds of machine guns as
bullets seem to come at them from every direction.
Instinctively, they do everything they know how
aeronautically, strategically, intellectually, and militarily to keep
from becoming another American kill flag
on a Tojo pilot's plane.
This is war and they are serious about winning it.
Before the Japanese realize it, their Zeros are annihilated
35...20...15...10...5
As the last Zero is destroyed in a burst of smoke and flames
they watch as what little remains of it falls slowly
to the water below, pieces still burning like
sparks from July 4th fireworks
Fate has been a kind mistress to the Black Sheep in this battle
No lives are lost, only minimal damage is done to their planes.
But, once again the Japanese have witnessed
the power of the whistling death.
And that power has resulted
in the rising sun being dimmed a little more.
The skies over the Slot once again safe, for now, they turn heading
back to refuel and give an official account of what happened.
Some have added to their confirmed kills,
All of them have the satisfaction of knowing
that as a result of this small victory the war in the
Pacific theater is another step closer to ending.
As they head back up The Slot,
they silently congratulate themselves
on a job well done.
Proud to be serving under Major Greg "Pappy" Boyington
and proud to be of part of VMF-214.