Sad such a great thread ended up getting hijacked...
I was lucky enough to interview the Coronel twice on my radio talk show in the early '80s, and we also co-hosted a live airshow on the air as well. He was an totally down to earth guy who had been through more personal problems and adversity than most of us will hopefully never have to see.
They flew Corsairs, and went through a few of the F4U variants as they became available.
Read his book: "Baa Baa Black Sheep", by Col. Greg Boyington. It's one of the easiest, quickest reads you will ever find. He goes into detail on how his drinking problem during the war re-started after his POW days and repatriation back to the States. He even was a "referree" for professional wrestling in the '50's.
The TV show of late '70s fame was reasonably accurate, as Boyington and a few other squad vets served as consultants, but, as Hollywood is, most plotlines were based on fact--but fiction brings ratings. If you look carefully in some of the episodes you will spot Boyington playing a supporting character.
You can even find personally autographed editions of the book on ebay.com, as he toured with many air shows before his passing, and sold the books personally from a military style tent and an old cash change box. I still have mine.
If you are ever at Arlington National Cemetery....my friend is easy to find. He is just across from actor Lee Marvin and boxer Joe Louis...on the main road to the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier.
It's worth the trip.
Respectfully,
ROX
