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Cranston Fine Arts  Aviation Art World War Two Veteran Signatures United States M  McClurg, Robert |
Lieutenant Colonel Robert W McClurg
Born in Cochocton, Ohio in 1919, Bob McClurg left for the South Pacific on 2 May 1943, joining VMF-214, the Black Sheep, on 7 August 1943. He flew both of the Black Sheep combat tours, and was then transferred to VMF-211 for his third combat tour after the Black Sheep were disbanded. During the Squadrons first aerial combat on 16 September 1943, an escort mission of torpedo and dive-bombers, Bob shot down a Zero over Ballale for one of the Black Sheeps early victories, and his first. By the end of both his combat tours with VMF-214, Bob would have a total of 7 confirmed aerial victories and 2 probables, and was one of the squadrons Aces. After the war he left duty in 1946, but remained active in the reserves, from which he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. Sadly, he died on 20th January 2007.
| Lieutenant Colonel Robert W McClurg - Signed Aviation Art |
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Black Sheep Over Rabaul by Stan Stokes. Pappy Boyingtons VMF-214 Black Sheep squadron continues to fascinate aviation and military enthusiasts to this day. VMF-214 flew three combat tours starting from September 1943 and chalked up a total of 153 aerial victories with more than another 100 Japanese aircraft destroyed on the ground. Rabaul Harbor, more than 200 miles distant from their airfields, was a stronghold for the Japanese and a frequent target for the Black Sheep of VM17-214. Most missions to Rabaul involved the escort of SBD Dauntless dive-bombers, TBF Avenger torpedo bombers, or B-24s. The Black Sheep usually provided high cover at 20,000 to 24,000 feet, and on some occasions Japanese fighters would be waiting in the clouds above them. The Zekes would use their altitude advantage and dive at great speeds to penetrate the top cover and get at the attacking American bombers. The Black Sheep utilized the Thatch Weave to protect their own flights from tail-end attacks by the Zekes. Rabaul Harbor was not an easy target as it was heavily defended with shore batteries and antiaircraft guns on the surrounding mountainsides. Lots of Japanese military supplies, vehicles, and munitions were scattered around the harbor. Several smaller ships were typically at anchor, but the Japanese would only bring its large capital ships into the deep-water harbor during bad weather or under the cover of darkness. There were several aces that flew with the Black Sheep, but only three are still living. One of these is Pappys wingman, USMC Lt. Col. Robert W. Me Clurg. Bob was born in Coshocton, Ohio on February 9, 1919. McClurgs No. 883 Martha is depicted off of Boyingtons wing in Stan Stokes painting. Following a move to Pennsylvania, Bob enrolled at Penn State and later transferred to and earned a degree in Business Administration from Westminister College in 1942. While at Penn State Bob joined the Marine Corps platoon leaders course. He applied for Marine aviation flight training following graduation, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the USMC in 1943 at Pensacola. Following only 21 hours of fighter flight time in the F2A Buffalo, MeClurg received his initial combat assignment with VMF-211 who had defended Wake Island. McClurg was then transferred to Boyingtons VMF-214 which was being organized. As a Black Sheep he participated in the intense combat in the Russell Islands, New Georgia, New Britain, New Ireland, and Bouganville areas. He also flew many missions as Pappys wingman. McClurg bagged his first Zeke on September 16, 1943, and he attained ace status by December of that year. His final victory tally was 7 confirmed and 2 probable aerial victories. Following his combat tour in the Pacific, he attended Marine Air Infantry School at Quantico, Virginia, Engineering Officers School at Memphis, Tennessee, and finally trained future Corsair pilots at Cherry Point, North Carolina. Following his service career, Bob earned a Masters of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh. He retired from the Corp. as a Lt. Colonel. He is the recipient of numerous decorations including five Distinguished Flying Crosses, eight Air Medals, and two Presidential Unit Citations. He currently resides in upstate New York. |
The Black Sheep by Nicolas Trudgian. Few fighter units in World War II gained the notoriety of Pappy Boyingtons Marine Corps VMF-214 Black Sheep Squadron. Equipped with the Chance Vought F4U Corsair, under Boyingtons spirited leadership, the Black Sheep pilots were accorded one of only two Presidential Unit Citations awarded to Marine Corps squadrons during the war in the Pacific. With the American forces pushing up through the South Pacific, the First Marine Air Wing was urgently looking for a seasoned fighter pilot to form a unit to take the brand new F4U into combat. Boyington had the experience - he had become an Ace flying with Chennaults Flying Tigers in China - and the rank to lead a squadron; he also had a reputation as an aggressive fighter leader, and was a natural choice for the job. Recruiting pilots from the reserve pool, together with others awaiting assignment to squadrons, the 30 year-old Boyington - dubbed Pappy by his group of young pilots - knocked them into one of the most effective fighter units in the South Pacific. In their first twelve weeks of operation they brought down 97 Japanese aircraft, no fewer than 95 of which were enemy fighters. During this period they lost only 11 pilots. VMF-214 saw action at Guadalcanal, the northern Solomons and Vella Lavella; they were the first to strafe Kahili, the first to operate from the field at Munda while it was still under enemy artillery fire, and the first to lead fighter sweeps over Rabaul. Nicolas Trudgians outstanding painting captures the scene at Vella Lavella as Pappy Boyington leads his VMF-214 Black Sheep Squadron off the island strip to escort a B-17 Fortress raid on Rabaul in December 1943. Boyington led his Black Sheep pilots through two combat tours before being brought down himself and taken prisoner. On his last mission he shot down three Zeros, bringing his final tally to 28. He was to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. Nicks fine image pays tribute to one of the US Marine Corps most illustrious fighter squadrons and to its remarkable leader. |
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