While in temporary command, Lard uses his powers to cut the supply lines to the Black Sheep, in order to have their unit shut down for no combat activity, but Boyington finds a way around that and all the Black Sheep are on leave. Things go awry when Boyington and crew return and finds the man Boyington stole the Corsairs from, now in charge of the 214.

While on patrol Pappy is accidentally shot down by T.J. He hits the silk and winds up on a Japanese occupied island. The squadron's morale hits rock bottom while he is MIA and Jim is unsure of his abilities to command. Pappy soon discovers he is not the only one trying to survive on the hostile island.

The Japanese have a new special modified armored Zero with the best Japanese pilots in the air. If Pappy or any of his men come up against them they are to disengage and get home. This doesn't sit well with Pappy or the rest of the squadron. Pappy pulls strings and has newly 'returned to service' Ace pilot Doug Rafferty assigned to his squadron. His father is an Admiral...but Jim remembers him from previous missions and believes him to be a jinx. Pappy won't have this kind of superstitious talk going around and tells Jim to keep his mouth shut.