Before They Were the Black Sheep

Name: Before They Were the Black Sheep
Author: Carl O. Dunbar Jr.
ISBN: 9780813081328

Marine Fighting Squadron VMF-214 and the Battle for the Solomon Islands

by Carl O. Dunbar Jr.

Edited by Peter M. Dunbar

Published by: University Press of Florida

Through a trove of World War II letters written by a pilot in the Solomon Islands campaign, this book offers a glimpse of what life was like for a soldier caught up in the war of his generation.

312 Pages6.00 × 9.00

Paperback
9780813081328
Published: December 16, 2025

$26.95

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Hardcover
9780813037257
Published: October 9, 2011

$32.00

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EPUB
9780813040844
Published: September 18, 2011

(Ebook delivery via Leaf eReader app.)

$18.99

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Description
Authors
Praise
Table of Contents

World War II letters of a New Englander’s journey from civilian to elite fighter squadron pilot

Before the Marine Fighting Squadron VMF-214 became known as the Black Sheep squadron led by “Pappy” Boyington, this air group was already flying missions from Guadalcanal. Commissioned in 1942, the squadron was originally known as “The Swashbucklers.”

Lt. Carl Dunbar, Jr. was one of the squadron’s original pilots, and his letters home describe the training and living conditions he faced as a Marine in the Pacific theater during the early years of World War II. Dunbar ultimately flew eighty-two missions during the Solomon campaign, and this volume includes his private logbook.

Like many veterans, after returning to the United States Dunbar rarely spoke about his wartime service. Only after his death did his son Peter discover this trove of material, and his commentary provides context for each of his father’s letters. Both personal and universal, this volume offers a glimpse of what life was like for a man with a great sense of loyalty and compassion caught up in the war of his generation.

Peter M. Dunbar is a lawyer and special counsel in the Tallahassee office of Jones Walker and has served as an adjunct professor of law at Florida State University.

“Books like Before They Were the Black Sheep prove invaluable in using veterans’ own words to teach future generations about the war. . . . Wonderfully engaging and enlightening.”—Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller, founding president and CEO emeritus, National World War II Museum
“A must-read for young Navy and Marine Corps officers as they enter aviation training.”—Lt. Gen. Robert F. Milligan, U.S. Marine Corps (retired)
“An intriguing look at Marine aviation in World War II by a sensitive and intelligent pilot; few narratives provide as much insight into the intensely personal feelings of a pilot in combat.”—Walter Boyne, author of The Influence of Air Power upon History
“Offers a compelling look into the world of a young man who left the comfort of civilian life to become a pilot in one of the best known combat fighter squadrons of the Pacific War. Lt. Carl O. Dunbar Jr.’s letters home remind us of the personal side of the Second World War.”—Michael H. Creswell, author of A Question of Balance

“For readers who want to comprehend the whole experience of a pilot’s tour of duty, Dunbar’s letters add detail not found in many other books.”—Aviation History
“[A] glimpse into the effectiveness and scope of American pilot training programs and provides insight into the subtle loving bonds between family members in war. . . . An enjoyable read.”—H-Net
“If you read this book you will have but one regret—that you can no longer talk to this unsung hero today.”—Florida Bar Journal

Prologue

1. Squantum Naval Air Station and the U.S. Naval Reserve Aviation Base in Atlanta, December 17, 1941–March 9, 1942

2. U.S. Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida, March 12, 1942–July 12, 1942

3. U.S. Naval Air Station, Miami, Florida, July 28, 1942–November 11, 1942

4. San Diego to Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, December 5, 1942–March 12, 1943

5. Fighter One Air Base, Guadalcanal, March 13, 1943–May 28, 1943

6. Advance Base Knucklehead, Banika in the Russell Islands, June 6, 1943–August 14, 1943

7. Airfield at Munda Point, New Georgia Island, August 15, 1943–August 31, 1943

8. Bougainville and Home

Epilogue

Acknowledgments

Notes