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A P-40 Warhawk
The P-40 was the most readily available fighter for U.S. forces after the attack at Pearl Harbor. Although most of the fleet was destroyed in the attack, there were still some planes that survived. Colonel Joseph Laughlin flew this type of plane as a…
A Lockheed P-38
The P-38 Lightning was a thoroughly capable fighter plane. Weighing in at the same maximum weight as the P-47, it could accomplish the same mission types with similar armaments. Utilized in both the Pacific and European Theaters of Operation, it is…
A P-36 Hawk
Colonel Joseph Laughlin flew the P-36 Hawk, but in what capacity it is not mentioned. It was rendered obsolete by the time fighting intensified in the Pacific and European Theaters of Operation, and it was relegated to training purposes only at that…
The Waco CG-4A Hadrian Glider
The Hadrian glider was the most widely used glider in World War II. It was steered by a pilot and copilot as it was towed by a larger carrier, like a C-46 or C-47. It could hold up to 13 additional troops and their equipment or vehicles. Hadrian…
A Nebraska Newspaper Touting the Successes of Colonel Joseph Laughlin
In this article, the recent successes of Colonel Joseph Laughlin in France are described. It includes the details behind a Ninth Air Force record-setting flight that was Colonel Laughlin's idea as payback to the Nazis for all that they had done so…
The Omaha World-Herald Discusses Nebraskans Getting Their Army Air Corps Wings
This article describes the steps that 4 Nebraskans, including Joseph Laughlin, had to complete in order to be eligible to get their wings. It also describes the air corps program under which the new pilots were sought, as the Army Air Corps realized…
A Tribute to Fighters
There is no indication of which newspaper ran this article, however, it appears to be written by a British gunner in response to a group of P-47s providing escort to his crew. It shows just how thankful airmen, especially those in the bombers, were…
The 362nd Receives a Presidential Unit Citation
In this article taken from the Associated Press, the 362nd received their second Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy in Germany.
Omaha World-Herald Announces Change in Medal Rankings
In this article, the army has decided to rank the Air Medal above the Purple Heart. It also lists all of the medals in the Army from most prestigious to least prestigious.
362nd Destroys Multiple German Planes and Trains in One Day
This article describes the destructiveness of the 362nd by describing the amount of German planes and trains that they destroyed in one Saturday.