JDK Posted October 8, 2012 Share #1 Posted October 8, 2012 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. .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted October 8, 2012 Author Share #2 Posted October 8, 2012 This next guy doesn't need much of a intro. An ace and Pappys wingman.His items Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted October 8, 2012 Author Share #3 Posted October 8, 2012 His flight suit and His AAF style Mae west that was used and has his intials stamped on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted October 8, 2012 Author Share #4 Posted October 8, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kadet Posted October 8, 2012 Share #5 Posted October 8, 2012 Outstanding! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted October 8, 2012 Share #6 Posted October 8, 2012 Wow.Thanks for posting.Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricardo Posted October 8, 2012 Share #7 Posted October 8, 2012 WOWWWWW!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted October 8, 2012 Share #8 Posted October 8, 2012 In this case CONDITION DOES NOT MATTER!!!! AWESOME GROUP! Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted October 9, 2012 Author Share #9 Posted October 9, 2012 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted October 9, 2012 Share #10 Posted October 9, 2012 Super nice JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
67Rally Posted October 9, 2012 Share #11 Posted October 9, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
History Man Posted October 9, 2012 Share #12 Posted October 9, 2012 Beautiful group! I really like the patched up M-421 flight jacket. Philip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanmc1114 Posted October 9, 2012 Share #13 Posted October 9, 2012 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted October 9, 2012 Author Share #14 Posted October 9, 2012 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. 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted October 9, 2012 Author Share #15 Posted October 9, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted October 9, 2012 Author Share #16 Posted October 9, 2012 A photo of McClurg I bought to display with his items. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uplandmod Posted October 9, 2012 Share #17 Posted October 9, 2012 Incredible story seanmc, to think there is no refence to his service on the building, maybe it's time for a new plauqe! Leonardo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted October 9, 2012 Share #18 Posted October 9, 2012 A very impressive grouping! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpstout Posted October 10, 2012 Share #19 Posted October 10, 2012 WOW! Gotta' Love That Aussie Patch and That Jacket!! Appreciate you sharing those. regards, pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyCanteen Posted October 10, 2012 Share #20 Posted October 10, 2012 Outstanding! Haven't seen something like this in a long time. RC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpstout Posted October 10, 2012 Share #21 Posted October 10, 2012 A photo of that vmf 214 patch would be a great addition to the pinned Rarest USMC patch topic, if possible. thanks, pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waltz41 Posted October 10, 2012 Share #22 Posted October 10, 2012 Unbelievable grouping!! Thanks for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave peifer Posted October 12, 2012 Share #23 Posted October 12, 2012 wonderfull group..........thanks for posting..........dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1canpara Posted October 12, 2012 Share #24 Posted October 12, 2012 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted October 13, 2012 Author Share #25 Posted October 13, 2012 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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