The “Black Sheep” pose on the wings of F4U-1 Corsair #17740 of Marine Fighter Squadron VMF-21 in its revetment at Vella Lavella, Dec. 27th, 1943.

The St. Louis Cardinals baseball team had issued them one team cap for each victory. Aces (shot down 5+ Enemy planes) are seen holding baseball bats.

Major Gregory Boyington, the South Pacific ace with 15 planes to his credit, said his Marine fighter squadron had an offer to make. It was willing to shoot down a Japanese zero in trade for each cap of the winning team of the 1943 World Series (St. Louis Cardinals against the New York Yankees)

Major Gregory Boyington, USMC, said his squadron was willing to put up 13 enemy planes which his men had shot down during the past two weeks as collateral in the deal.

The Marine fliers said they felt the caps which had adorned the victorious team in the World Series should help bring them luck. In return, they promised to make a clean sweep of the South Pacific aerial series.