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Memorial display honors Boyington

| September 23, 2010 9:00 PM

COEUR d'ALENE - It was three years ago that "Pappy Boyington Field" was added to the name of the Coeur d'Alene Airport.

The life of that leader of the famed Black Sheep Squadron during World War II is being honored in September with a memorial display of photos at the Coeur d'Alene Public Library.

The display features artifacts about Boyington, World War II aviation, and the China/Burma/India experience.

Greg Boyington was a fighter pilot, prisoner of war, and recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions in the war.

His book, "Baa Baa Black Sheep" would become a best-seller and the basis for a popular television series in the 1970s starring Robert Conrad.

Local artist Bryan Ross is creating an 8-foot bronze statue of Pappy Boyington, which will be placed at the Coeur d'Alene Airport/Pappy Boyington Field.

A piece of the working clay model is on display in the library.

The locally-produced documentary film "Pappy Boyington Field" tells the story of the airfield naming campaign.