Browse Items (43 total)

This Nebraska newspaper announces the Croix de Guerre medal has been awarded to Colonel Laughlin for meritorious service. This is after the 362nd had just received their second Presidential Unit Citation.

Colonel Laughlin was able to meet with the Supreme Allied Commander of the Allied Forces, General Eisenhower, it seems by chance. There is no indication that this was planned, and it has not been discussed in any sort of detail that has been seen.…

Colonel Laughlin tells the story of "chance" and "luck" getting him into the Army Air Corps.

Colonel Laughlin gives a toothy grin as he settles into the cockpit of his P-47. Notice the suit and tie visible under his flight suit.

An unknown newspaper announcing that Colonel Laughlin would be receiving a German Officer's pistol. The pistol was one of thousands turned over when 20,000 German soldiers surrendered, a feat Colonel Laughlin and the 362nd were credited with helping…

With one leg in the cockpit of his P-47, Colonel Laughlin shakes hands with his commander, Colonel Magoffin, the two of them sharing a laugh amidst the stresses of training for war.

This picture shows Colonel Laughlin and his crew chief, Sgt. Chodor, talking before Laughlin prepped for flight. There had to be a lot of trust between a pilot and his crew chief; not only were they responsible for the overall maintenance of the…

The call sign reads as "B8-A". The "B" is for the 379th Fighter Squadron; the "A" is for the 362nd Fighter Group; and the "8" is the plane number within the squadron. This was Colonel Laughlin's call sign in early 1945.

This rare color photo of Colonel Laughlin was taken by a special group of the Army Air Corps. Tasked with getting color photos and footage of P-47 pilots in the Ninth Air Force, they made sure to get shots of the Group Commander. Here, Colonel…

After the 362nd Group Commander, Colonel Magoffin, was shot down on August 10, 1944, Colonel Laughlin was named the new group commander. This move became permanent when Colonel Magoffin was not allowed to return to duty due to his POW status. After…