Robert
W. McClurg
“Black Sheep” Squadron
By Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette
Aviation Art Store
Robert
W. McClurg
Robert Wesley McClurg was
born in Coshocton, Ohio on February 9, 1919. His family moved to Pennsylvania.
Robert enrolled in collage at the Pennsylvania State Collage in 1939. He then
transferred to Westminster Collage where he graduated in 1942. McClurg joined
the Marine Corp Platoon Leaders while he attended Penn State. After his
graduation from Westminster he applied for Naval flight training receiving his
wings and a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corp on February 1,
1943.
His first assignment was with VMF-211 where he participated in the defense of Wake Island. Serving a short assignment on Wake McClurg was transferred to the newly formed “Black Sheep Squadron”. VMF-214 was commanded by Gregory Boyington, who was know to everyone as “Pappy” because of his age.
VMF-214 participated in two different
periods of combat while in the Russell Islands. Lieutenant McClurg flew as
wingman for many of these intense missions.
McClurg scored his first aerial victory in
shooting down a Zero on September 16, 1943. On October 18, he claimed two
Zero’s. Aerial activity slumped making the fighter pilots bored with mindless
patrol missions. Pilots love
action even though they know that they too could fall from a prevailing enemy
pilot. His next fight came on December 17th when he shot down a
“Rufe” which was a Zero fighter that has pontoons attached to the aircraft
making it a seaplane. This victory was during a fighter sweep over Rubaul.
Finally McClurg became an ace on the 23rd
when he was credited with two more Zero fighters. His last victory was on December 28th
when he shot down a “Hamp” fighter and damaged another Zero that was only
credited as a probable.
Robert returned to the States after his tour in the Pacific ended. He remained in the Marines after the war ended and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was officially credited with seven confirmed aerial victories and two probable. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross with four Gold Stars and the Air Medal with seven Gold Stars.
I will paint his Corsair in the future and display it here on his page. I will also write more about his service as time permits.
All research, writings and artwork are by Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette.
No one is permitted to republish any part of this story with out my personal permission.
Please call or e-mail me for any use of this story.
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Sir. Ernie Hamilton Boyette
904-282-4198
2-9-07