In a place for all to enjoy
<p>Marine veteran Wil Cooper of Newman Lake admires legendary World War II Medal of Honor recipient Pappy Boyington's personal items on display Friday at the Pappy Boyington Field Museum. The items were recently donated by the Boyington family to the Marine Corps League Pappy Boyington Detatchment.</p>
<p>A small watch previously owned by World War II Medal of Honor recipient Pappy Boyington is displayed Friday at the Pappy Boyington Field Museum. The watch was given to Boyington's mother at the christening of the U.S.S. Sunset near the end of WWII.</p>
HAYDEN - Kevin Gonzalez called the latest donations from the family of World War II Medal of Honor recipient Gregory "Pappy" Boyington "a special treat to have in this community."
"It is the sentiment of the Boyington family that Pappy belonged to the nation and, as such, wants many of his personal items to be shared," said Gonzalez, of the Marine Corps League's local Pappy Boyington Detachment.
Pappy's grandson, Gregory Boyington III, donated items to the Marine Corps League, including:
* A watch presented to Pappy's mother Grace at the christening of the U.S.S. Sunset aircraft carrier with a note from Pappy (Boyington was listed as missing and presumed dead at the christening event);
* A "Baa Baa Black Sheep" TV show sign autographed by the cast and crew (The 1970s series was loosely based on Pappy's best-selling book.); and
* a framed photo of a plaque in Pappy's honor that's displayed at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Fla.
The Marine Corps League on Friday presented the donations to the Pappy Boyington Field Museum in Hayden.
"It will be an honor to have them on display here," said Richard Le Francis, the museum's director. "We are very fortunate to have such a well-known patriotic and historical figure from our community."
Pappy's family couldn't attend the ceremony.
Pappy gave the gold watch with a diamond and rubies to his grandson Gregory.
"This is something you would never wear, but keep in a safe place because it is a historical event in World War II," Pappy wrote in the note to Gregory on Sept. 3, 1977. "She (Pappy's mother Grace) was invited to christen the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Sunset and they presented her this with her name inscribed on the back."
Actors Robert Conrad and W.K. Stratton were among those who autographed the "Baa Baa Black Sheep" sign.
Pappy, as part of the Black Sheep Squadron, was shot down on Jan. 3, 1944, and was captured by the Japanese. He was held as a prisoner for 20 months. Not until after the war ended did America learn what became of him and that he had survived his last fight.
Pappy, who was born in Coeur d'Alene, was presented the Medal of Honor by President Harry Truman. He died of cancer on Jan. 11, 1988, in Fresno, Calif.