" You show me a Hero, and I'll prove that he's a bum." Theses are the words of a military hero that goes by the name of Gregory Pappy Boyington. Mr. Boyington was a real hero and was not a bum. Boyington was a man that not only loved his country but also loved competition. There was no better competition then to fly planes in the Island Hopping campaign, and that's what Pappy was born to do.
             Pappy Boyington was born on December 4, 1912. While growing up Pappy was a huge competitor, which may have been the reason he ended up being a very good high school wrestler. Pappy realized with that his love of planes and aviation combined with his competitive spirit, and then he would be the best man to fly planes for the United States Air Force. Pappy also saw it as an opportunity to pay off old debts that he had made. Pappy was a great pilot right from the start of the U.S offensive. He has claimed that he had shot down a record six planes in one air trip. Pappy told this to the U.S government since they awarded $500 dollars for each enemy plane shot down. The U.S government said that they only could confirm 3 and ½ kills for Pappy. If Pappy really did what he said, then that would make him one of the first United States ace pilots. Pappy would later be credited for all six kills that he claimed. Pappy was a major player when it came to the situation of Island Hopping.
             On the 3rd day of January in 1944 Pappy Boyington started a combat mission that would be his last. Boyington and his wingman George Ashmun went up into the air to take out a group of 10 Japanese Zero's. Boyington and his wingman were able to take out three of the ten before a group of 20 Zero's came from above to back up there fellow fighters. Boyington and Ashmun were outnumbered and were not in a good spot. Boyington ended up being hit and decided to bail from his aircraft. Boyington was then picked up by a Japanese submarine and was
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