NED CORMAN
Member of Black Sheep Squadron. Personally reamed out by Pappy.
Ned Corman, in his F4U Corsair shot down one Japanese Zero during his time with the famous Marine Fighter Squadron 214, better known as the Black Sheep Squadron during WW II. This group inspired the popular 1970s TV series "Baa Baa Black Sheep" starring Robert Conrad as Medal of Honor Recipient Gregory "Pappy" Boyington.
Mr. Corman, a native of Zion, Pa., died in Maui May 11th.
Only 12 members of the Black Sheep Squadron remain.
While attending Penn State, he got into the Civilian Pilot Training Program. In 1943, he joined the Black Sheep as a replacement pilot and served 84 days until Pappy Boyington was shot down Jan. 3, 1944 and taken prisoner. The Black Sheep racked up 97 victories and destroyed or damaged 203 Japanese planes.
On Christmas Day 1943, Mr. Corman got separated from the formation in a dogfight. He then encountered five Zeroos and managed to shoot one down.
Back on Vella Lavetta, he was feeling pretty proud of himself until Boyington debriefed him. "He just chewed my (expletive) from one end to the other. One: for leaving the formation, and two: for not getting all five. But that's the kind of guy he was."
Nov. 9th Centre Daily Times, Centre, Pa.
Another of the Greatest Generation Leaves Us. --Old Coot
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