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Talk:Flying Leathernecks

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Correction as who was the WWII 'flying ace' that inspired the film

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The role of Major Kirby portrayed in this film is the flying ace of VMF223, my stepfather, Major Maurice "Bo" Smith. He flew numerous missions over Guadalcanal & his squadron was one of the few who survived & turned the war around so we ended up winning & changing the trajectory of the war.There are numerous articles on VMF223 squadron. Major Maurice Smith was spotted on the tarmac at El Toro when they were filming this movie. The producer asked the Base Commander who the young man was because the producer said he 'was the spitten image of Mr Wayne & could the 'kid' fly". The base commander is reported to have said, 'oh he can fly!' My stepfather was awarded the Medal of Honor, later promoted to Lt. Colonel & then was promoted to Captain Maurice 'Bo' Smith, and he is actually flying the plane in several shots. 2603:8000:3342:8000:6D90:403B:1DBB:603A (talk) 22:51, 4 August 2024 (UTC)[reply]