Kootenai County Medal of Honor Recipients BOYINGTON, GREGORY RANK AND ORGANIZATION:  Major, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Marine Squadron 214. PLACE AND DATE:  Central Solomons area, 12 September 1943 to 3 January 1944. ENTERED SERVICE AT:  Washington. BORN:  4 December 1912, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. OTHER NAVY AWARD:  Navy Cross. CITATION:  For extraordinary heroism and valiant devotion to duty as commanding officer of Marine Fighting Squadron 214 in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Central Solomons area from 12 September 1943 to 3 January 1944. Consistently outnumbered throughout successive hazardous flights over heavily defended hostile territory, Maj. Boyington struck at the enemy with daring and courageous persistence, leading his squadron into combat with devastating results to Japanese shipping, shore installations, and aerial forces. Resolute in his efforts to inflict crippling damage on the enemy, Maj. Boyington led a formation of 24 fighters over Kahili on 17 October and, persistently circling the airdrome where 60 hostile aircraft were grounded, boldly challenged the Japanese to send up planes. Under his brilliant command, our fighters shot down 20 enemy craft in the ensuing action without the loss of a single ship. A superb airman and determined fighter against overwhelming odds, Maj. Boyington personally destroyed 26 of the many Japanese planes shot down by his squadron and, by his forceful leadership, developed the combat readiness in his command which was a distinctive factor in the Allied aerial achievements in this vitally strategic area. Source:  U.S. Army Center of Military History Submitted and transcribed by Sandra Davis Back to Kootenai County Military Home Back to Kootenai County Home Copyright © Genealogy Trails 2011 All data on this website is Copyright by Genealogy Trails with full rights reserved for original submitters.