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VMF-214 items


JDK
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Taking a little break from the A-2 groups, here are some items to a couple guys that flew with VMF-214.

 

First up are some items from Glenn Bowers. He flew the 2nd Blacksheep tour.

 

 

 

His M-421 summer flight jacket with the coveted Aussie made 214 patch. Unfortunately it is in rough shape. His flight suit is also in the set.

 

 

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Last his M-421 summer flight jacket. It is very legible in person, but tough to photograph. I added some lettering to help it be more distinguishable.

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Thanks guys. I was pretty excited to get it all. After I got McClurgs items, I read his book. It was very neat to read his account of all 7 of his aerial victories. It was also cool to read some of his more famous exploits flying on Boyingtons wing. I have to think he probably wore this M-421 jacket on a few of those missions!

 

JD

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LOVE the McClurg stuff. I met him and his wife several years ago at the Blacksheep reunion in Seattle. My wife and I were there with our 5 month old daughter and Bob kept taking the stroller with her in it. It was pretty funny. He was offering a trade...all I had to do was name my price. :D

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This is a little "Six degres of Kevin Bacon" connection here, but I am an attorney in Georgia and on the outside wall of my office is this plaque which has been there for years. The Groover in the name is Denmark Groover who flew two tours with VMF-214 in 1943 and 1944. He shot down one Japanese plane and was virtually shot down himself, having to nurse his damaged Corsair back to base with wounds including a paralyzed arm and leg.

 

In the attached photo, he is second fronm right standing in the rear.

 

After the war, he went to law school and became a well-respected lawyer and politician in Georgia. He was partners with another lawyer, Garland Byrd, who I used to work for and whose office I now occupy.

 

I met Mr. Groover quite a few times and he was quite a character. He died in 2001. He was inducted into the Georgia Aviation Hall Of Fame.

 

http://www.gaaviatio....0.html?avid=46

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LOVE the McClurg stuff. I met him and his wife several years ago at the Blacksheep reunion in Seattle. My wife and I were there with our 5 month old daughter and Bob kept taking the stroller with her in it. It was pretty funny. He was offering a trade...all I had to do was name my price. :D

 

It must have been great to get to meet him. Every WW2 Ace I've ever met in person has been nothing but 1st class!

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This is a little "Six degres of Kevin Bacon" connection here, but I am an attorney in Georgia and on the outside wall of my office is this plaque which has been there for years. The Groover in the name is Denmark Groover who flew two tours with VMF-214 in 1943 and 1944. He shot down one Japanese plane and was virtually shot down himself, having to nurse his damaged Corsair back to base with wounds including a paralyzed arm and leg.

 

In the attached photo, he is second fronm right standing in the rear.

 

After the war, he went to law school and became a well-respected lawyer and politician in Georgia. He was partners with another lawyer, Garland Byrd, who I used to work for and whose office I now occupy.

 

I met Mr. Groover quite a few times and he was quite a character. He died in 2001. He was inducted into the Georgia Aviation Hall Of Fame.

 

http://www.gaaviatio....0.html?avid=46

 

Thanks for adding this interesting info. ;)

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Incredible story seanmc, to think there is no refence to his service on the building, maybe it's time for a new plauqe!

Leonardo

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Wow! Simply amazing! I have to say that when I was a kid Baa Baa Black Sheep, later titled Black Sheep Squadron, was my favorite TV show and was a strong influence in my early days of collecting US militaria. I know the show was only very loosely based on the real Black Sheep but it was enough to get me hooked into WWII history and collecting. I've read a fair bit about the VMF 214 but seeing these pieces from your collection is absolutely amazing!

 

What a treasure! Thanks so much for sharing them with us!

 

Rick

 

 

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Thanks again guys. I was very happy to add these items to the collection. Like another member here, I grew up watching the 70's Blacksheep show. I had a love of ww2 aviation starting at a very young age, and the show, even though not the most accurate, helped to fuel it.

Also, owning items associated with a prominant WW2 Marine Ace is very humbling as well.

 

I will try to get a better picture of the patch in other thread soon.

 

JD

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