Original Item: Only One Available. This is a wonderful photograph of the legendary “Black Sheep” Marine Fighter Squadron 214. This is a copy of an original picture and was signed by 3 of the surviving pilots at the time. The picture is in a wonderful frame that measures approximately 16 ¼” x 13 ¼”.

The Signatures Present:
- James J. Hill: James Hill was born in Chicago in 1920. His training involved flying Stearmans, Buffalo and Wildcats. He arrived in the South Pacific on 5 June 1943 after completing flight school in Pensacola, and joined VMF-214 on 7 August 1943, flying Corsairs. He flew both combat tours with the Black Sheep. On 18 October 1943 on a fighter sweep over Kahili Airfield he shot down a Zero in aerial combat. During his two tours with the Black Sheep he flew a total of 70 combat missions, and also flew a third combat tour with VMF-211 on Green Island. He then flew another combat tour with VMF-521 as a pilot instructor, later joining VMF-324 at Midway. In his career he was awarded 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses and 12 Air Medals.

Robert McClurg: Robert McClurg became a World War II Marine Corps ACE while flying with the famous "Black Sheep Squadron," and was credited with shooting down a total of SEVEN enemy aircraft in aerial combat.

DFC Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Robert Wesley McClurg (MCSN: 0-16426), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED FOURTEEN (VMF-214), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area, from 12 September 1943 to 22 October 1943. When his flight intercepted a superior number of Japanese fighters during a strike over Hajili on 16 September, First Lieutenant McClurg engaged and destroyed one Zero. Attacking enemy shipping off Choiseul Island with resolute determination on 20 September, he helped to destroy two hostile barges and by his bold courage during a fierce fighter sweep over Kahili Airfield on 17 October, damaged and probably destroyed one Japanese plane. Handicapped by motor trouble while on bomber escort the next day, he unhesitatingly engaged two Zeros and succeeded in destroying both planes. Volunteering on a strafing mission over Kara Airfield on 19 October, he plunged to dangerously low levels in the face of savage anti-aircraft fire to attack and leave seven Japanese planes burning furiously. His superb airmanship, splendid initiative and gallant devotion to duty throughout these and numerous other vital missions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Ed Harper: Ed Harper was born in Bassano, Alberta, Canada in 1920. He joined VMF-214, the Black Sheep on 7 August 1943 and flew both combat tours from September 1943 to January 1944. He shot down 1 enemy aircraft and two probables on fighter sweeps over Kahili and Rabaul. On 17 October 1943, Ed was wounded in aerial combat and brought back his damaged Corsair to Munda. The next day he flew a mission and scored a probable over a Zero. Ed was also one of the Black Sheep pilots that were reassigned to VMF-211 for a third combat tour after the Black Sheep were disbanded on 8 January 1944. Edwin Harper died on 14th February 2014.

A lovely signed photograph ready for display.