Andy Micklin
Encyclopedia
Andrew 'Andy' Micklin is a fictitious United States Marine Corps
Master Sergeant from the Black Sheep Squadron
. He was portrayed by actor Red West
. The TV show is loosely based on the book by Gregory "Pappy" Boyington. The show is a highly fictionalized account of the real VMF-214, a successful USMC fighter squadron in the second world war's Pacific theater.
Red West's portrayal of Sgt. Micklin was arguably one of the most believable parts of the show as West had been a Marine (as was the show's star Robert Conrad).
Micklin is a tough-as-nails maintenance line chief who has the unenviable job of keeping the squadron's 20 Chance Vought
F4U Corsair
fighter planes operational. This despite a constant shortage of parts and supplies. Micklin is ill-tempered, gruff, loud and occasionally violent. His commanding officer, Pappy Boyington (Conrad) tolerates this because Micklin is a master at his job and keeps the planes in good repair. It helps that Pappy is just as visceral as Micklin.
Micklin is hard-working and dedicated to the job. His father was a Marine and the Marine Corps is his family, even if he is an unruly son. He has been arrested and/or lost his rank several times for his behavior but has always used his skills to recover it. That may actually have plausible in the marine corps of the 1930s-40s. He hates officers and constantly refers to them as "college boys", but then, he hates just about everyone -- at least, he acts like it most of the time. However, much of this is bluster, and it becomes obvious that he feels a kinship with the pilots and ground crews of the Black Sheep.
Micklin was once promoted to warrant officer but got busted for fighting. He was made a captain temporarily due to his background in procurement. The rank was reverted when a permanent replacement was found. He prefers the NCO ranks.
He is always chomping on a cigar and has about every vice sans one-he is not a womanizer. He served as a mud-Marine in China and has fought the Japanese in that capacity. Although a career support Marine (procurment, supply and maintenance) he has seen considerable ground combat in an infantry role. He prefers to work on aircraft as opposed to ground vehicles, stating in one episode, "I hates trucks".
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
Master Sergeant from the Black Sheep Squadron
Baa Baa Black Sheep (TV series)
Baa Baa Black Sheep is a television series that aired on NBC from 1976 until 1978. Its premise was based on the experiences of United States Marine Corps aviator Pappy Boyington and his World War II "Black Sheep Squadron". The series was created and produced by Stephen J. Cannell...
. He was portrayed by actor Red West
Red West
Red West is an American actor, film stuntman and songwriter.West was born Robert Gene West in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of Lois and Newton Thomas West. He was a close high school friend of rock and roll singer Elvis Presley. An excellent athlete and former U.S...
. The TV show is loosely based on the book by Gregory "Pappy" Boyington. The show is a highly fictionalized account of the real VMF-214, a successful USMC fighter squadron in the second world war's Pacific theater.
Red West's portrayal of Sgt. Micklin was arguably one of the most believable parts of the show as West had been a Marine (as was the show's star Robert Conrad).
Micklin is a tough-as-nails maintenance line chief who has the unenviable job of keeping the squadron's 20 Chance Vought
Chance Vought
Chance Vought may refer to:*Vought, aircraft company*Chance M. Vought, founder of Vought company...
F4U Corsair
F4U Corsair
The Vought F4U Corsair was a carrier-capable fighter aircraft that saw service primarily in World War II and the Korean War. Demand for the aircraft soon overwhelmed Vought's manufacturing capability, resulting in production by Goodyear and Brewster: Goodyear-built Corsairs were designated FG and...
fighter planes operational. This despite a constant shortage of parts and supplies. Micklin is ill-tempered, gruff, loud and occasionally violent. His commanding officer, Pappy Boyington (Conrad) tolerates this because Micklin is a master at his job and keeps the planes in good repair. It helps that Pappy is just as visceral as Micklin.
Micklin is hard-working and dedicated to the job. His father was a Marine and the Marine Corps is his family, even if he is an unruly son. He has been arrested and/or lost his rank several times for his behavior but has always used his skills to recover it. That may actually have plausible in the marine corps of the 1930s-40s. He hates officers and constantly refers to them as "college boys", but then, he hates just about everyone -- at least, he acts like it most of the time. However, much of this is bluster, and it becomes obvious that he feels a kinship with the pilots and ground crews of the Black Sheep.
Micklin was once promoted to warrant officer but got busted for fighting. He was made a captain temporarily due to his background in procurement. The rank was reverted when a permanent replacement was found. He prefers the NCO ranks.
He is always chomping on a cigar and has about every vice sans one-he is not a womanizer. He served as a mud-Marine in China and has fought the Japanese in that capacity. Although a career support Marine (procurment, supply and maintenance) he has seen considerable ground combat in an infantry role. He prefers to work on aircraft as opposed to ground vehicles, stating in one episode, "I hates trucks".