{"title":"BATTLE: Rabaul","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"rabaul-fly-for-your-life-by-robert-taylor-ap","title":"Rabaul - Fly For Your Life by Robert Taylor. (AP)","description":"DHM2673AP. Rabaul - Fly For Your Life by Robert Taylor. \u003cp\u003e For their outstanding contribution to the war in the South Pacific, the Black Sheep were awarded one of only two Presidential Unit Citations accorded to Marine Corps squadrons during the war in the Pacific. With typical mastery, Robert Taylor has brought to life an encounter over Rabaul in late December 1943, paying tribute to one of the US Marine Corps most famous fighter squadrons, and its outstanding leader. With the Japanese airbase at Rabaul visible in the distance, Pappy Boyington and his fellow pilots of VMF-214 tear into a large formation of Japanese Zekes and a series of deadly dogfights have started, one Zeke already fallen victim to their guns. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Signed by Brigadier General Bruce J Matheson (deceased), \u003cbr\u003eMajor Harry Johnson USMC, \u003cbr\u003eLieutenant Colonel Henry M Bourgeois USMC (deceased), \u003cbr\u003eLieutenant Colonel W Thomas Emrich, \u003cbr\u003eColonel Edwin A Harper (deceased), \u003cbr\u003eLieutenant Colonel James J Hill \u003cbr\u003eand \u003cbr\u003eCaptain Fred S Losch (deceased).  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Signed limited edition of 25 Black Sheep Edition artist proofs. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Paper size 36 inches x 23.5 inches (91cm x 60cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135239115085,"sku":null,"price":395.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWdhm2673.jpg?v=1781871961"},{"product_id":"rabaul-fly-for-your-life-by-robert-taylor","title":"Rabaul - Fly For Your Life by Robert Taylor.","description":"DHM2673. Rabaul - Fly For Your Life by Robert Taylor. \u003cp\u003e For their outstanding contribution to the war in the South Pacific, the Black Sheep were awarded one of only two Presidential Unit Citations accorded to Marine Corps squadrons during the war in the Pacific. With typical mastery, Robert Taylor has brought to life an encounter over Rabaul in late December 1943, paying tribute to one of the US Marine Corps most famous fighter squadrons, and its outstanding leader. With the Japanese airbase at Rabaul visible in the distance, Pappy Boyington and his fellow pilots of VMF-214 tear into a large formation of Japanese Zekes and a series of deadly dogfights have started, one Zeke already fallen victim to their guns. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Signed by Brigadier General Bruce J Matheson (deceased) and Major Harry Johnson USMC. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Signed limited edition of 400 prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Paper size 36 inches x 23.5 inches (91cm x 60cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135959945549,"sku":null,"price":210.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWdhm2673.jpg?v=1781871961"},{"product_id":"rabaul-fly-for-your-life-by-robert-taylor-b","title":"Rabaul - Fly For Your Life by Robert Taylor. (B)","description":"DHM2673B. Rabaul - Fly For Your Life by Robert Taylor. \u003cp\u003e For their outstanding contribution to the war in the South Pacific, the Black Sheep were awarded one of only two Presidential Unit Citations accorded to Marine Corps squadrons during the war in the Pacific. With typical mastery, Robert Taylor has brought to life an encounter over Rabaul in late December 1943, paying tribute to one of the US Marine Corps most famous fighter squadrons, and its outstanding leader. With the Japanese airbase at Rabaul visible in the distance, Pappy Boyington and his fellow pilots of VMF-214 tear into a large formation of Japanese Zekes and a series of deadly dogfights have started, one Zeke already fallen victim to their guns. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSigned by Brigadier General Bruce J Matheson, \u003cbr\u003eMajor Harry Johnson USMC, \u003cbr\u003eLieutenant Colonel Henry M Bourgeois USMC, \u003cbr\u003eLieutenant Colonel W Thomas Emrich, \u003cbr\u003eColonel Edwin A Harper (deceased), \u003cbr\u003eLieutenant Colonel James J Hill \u003cbr\u003eand \u003cbr\u003eCaptain Fred S Losch (deceased). \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Signed limited edition of 350 Black Sheep Edition prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Paper size 36 inches x 23.5 inches (91cm x 60cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135959978317,"sku":null,"price":275.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWdhm2673.jpg?v=1781871961"},{"product_id":"black-sheep-over-rabaul-by-stan-stokes","title":"Black Sheep Over Rabaul by Stan Stokes.","description":"STK0075. Black Sheep Over Rabaul by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e 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. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSigned by Lt Col Bob McClurg (deceased). \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Signed limited edition of 500 prints. JUST ONE AVAILABLE. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Image Size 22 inches x 18 inches (56cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54136149868877,"sku":null,"price":180.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0075.jpg?v=1781873608"}],"url":"https:\/\/militaryaviationartprints.com\/collections\/battle-rabaul.oembed","provider":"Military Aviation Art Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}