The Omaha World-Herald announces the Return Stateside of Colonel Joseph Laughlin
A brief overview of Colonel Laughlin's service in World War II upon his return to the States
This article announces the return of Colonel Laughlin stateside after V-J day. It gives a brief overview of his time in the Pacific and European Theaters of Operation.
Omaha World-Herald
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
September 5, 1945
Omaha World-Herald Describes the Attack at Brest Harbor and Colonel Joseph Laughlin's Role
The attack at Brest Harbor, led by Colonel Laughlin, was an overwhelming success for the Ninth Air Force
This article describes the attack at Brest Harbor, including the destruction of a German Light Cruiser that was credited to Colonel Laughlin. No aircraft were lost in the bombing of the Cruiser and 14 additional merchant vessels.
Omaha World-Herald
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
August 28, 1944
Before and After of the Linder Dam outside Dieuze, France and Story
Colonel Joseph Laughlin was credited with dropping his payload closest to the target, giving him most of the credit for breaking the dam
The before and after shots of the Linder Dam show the short term effect of the damage done by squadrons of the 362nd Fighter Group. The 378th and 379th squadrons took part in the bombings, with Colonel Laughlin leading the way. The pilots were aiming for the sluice gate, an extremely narrow portion of the dam, and they were mostly effective. Colonel Laughlin was given the most credit as his bombs were dropped closest to the sluice. A third squadron was called in, but by the time they arrived, the water was already pouring out of the now large hole in the dam.
This action had been personally requested by General Patton, and it was such a huge news story that within 24 hours, they were announcing the success over the radio. The 362nd's former commander, Colonel Morton Magoffin, was lying in a hospital when the bombing of the dam was announced. All they said about the mission was that it was completed by a "Thunderbolt" fighter group. He didn't even have to ask; he knew it was the 362nd.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
October 1944
A Destroyed Fortress at Brest
The 362nd Fighter Group was sent to bomb parts of the city and harbor of Brest on multiple occasions.
The German army fortified many of the port cities in France, and none were attacked with such ferocity as Brest. The photo shows the leftover rubble of one of these strongholds at Brest, which was bombed by pilots of the Ninth Air Force.
National Museum of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
Colonel Morton Magoffin Pins Eagles on Colonel Joe Laughlin
Colonel Morton Magoffin and Colonel Joseph Laughlin are in good spirits as Colonel Magoffin prepares to pin the eagles on Colonel Laughlin outside Étain, France
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 recuperating in hospital, he insisted on pinning the Command Pilot Badge on his friend, Colonel Laughlin.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division, Collection # AR.2007.016
United States Air Force
November 24, 1944
Colonel Morton Magoffin Pins the Eagles on the new Commanding Officer of the 362nd Fighter Group, Colonel Joseph Laughlin
Colonel Morton Magoffin, first 362nd Commanding Officer (CO) pins eagles on Colonel Joseph Laughlin, second 362nd C.O.
Inside the briefing tent at Étain, France, Colonel Magoffin insisted on pinning the eagles onto his replacement, Colonel Laughlin.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division, Collection # AR.2007.016
United States Air Force
November 24, 1944
A Press Release about Colonel Joseph Laughlin's Combat Record
Before his return to Nebraska on leave in the winter of 1944, the Public Relations Office of the Ninth Air Force sent this press release to the parents of Colonel Joseph Laughlin for distribution to local papers
This press release covers the combat record that Colonel Laughlin had accrued up until December of 1944. In it, it discusses his recent promotion, his awards, his most notorious credits of destruction, and an account of all destroyed German equipment. It also describes some of his group's credits as well as their overall mission in Europe.
Ninth Air Force Public Relations Office, Army Air Corps
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
December 4, 1944
Press Release Concerning Colonel Joseph Laughlin and the Bombing of Bremen Airport
A press release that touts the accomplishments of Colonel Laughlin and the 362nd Fighter Group
This press release, also found in a partial article from a Nebraska newspaper also in this collection, describes the recent successes of Colonel Laughlin in France. 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 far. It goes into detail about Colonel Laughlin's life before the war, his friendship with the current 362nd Group Commander, Colonel Morton Magoffin, and how he is viewed by the men in the group. It is also the only time his first wife, Kathleen, is mentioned in any format.
Ninth Air Force Public Relations Office, Army Air Corps
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
1944
Letters Between Pilots' Mothers With Newspaper Article
Patriotism was alive and well throughout the U.S., and the families of military personnel supported each other, even if they were a few states away
This article, from a newspaper in Ohio, tells the story of a local pilot getting shot down in the Battle of Bastogne, but insisting on getting back to base as he was expecting to hear news that he was a father. This airman, 1st Lt. Duane E. Oyster, was a pilot in the 362nd Fighter Group, and although there is only a passing reference to Colonel Joseph Laughlin in the article, Lt. Oysters' mother felt compelled to pass on the article to Colonel Laughlin's family. The final letter was written in reply to Ruba Oyster's original letter nearly 30 years later by Colonel Laughlin's mother, Gertrude. It shows that the bonds shared by the pilots were also shared by their families, even decades after the war.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
1945-1975
Colonel Joseph Laughlin and Officers of the 362nd Fighter Group in Front of the Chateau Outside Reims
Colonel Laughlin acquired a chateau outside of Reims in France to house the pilots of the 362nd Fighter Group
From left, 1st Lt. Joe Lane, Colonel Laughlin, 1st Lt. John Hill, and an unknown pilot stand in front the the chateau outside of Reims. Colonel Laughlin managed to "acquire" it, and it was large enough to house all of the pilots of the 362nd Fighter Group. These were the most comfortable accommodations the men would see during the war, and they never wanted to leave. The officers appear to have just come from the airstrip, as all of them are wearing their flight suits, with the two officers in front, both from the 377th Fighter Squadron, also wearing their leather jackets.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
October 1944