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Colonel Morton Magoffin Pins Eagles on Colonel Joe Laughlin
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…
Colonel Morton Magoffin Pins the Eagles on the new Commanding Officer of the 362nd Fighter Group, Colonel Joseph Laughlin
Inside the briefing tent at Étain, France, Colonel Magoffin insisted on pinning the eagles onto his replacement, Colonel Laughlin.
Colonel Joseph Laughlin Ready to Fly
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.
Riding Crop of Colonel Joseph Laughlin
Colonel Laughlin "acquired" a black Cocker Spaniel in England. After naming him Prince, he made sure to bring the dog to every base they were stationed at throughout France and Germany. As Prince would roam the camps and airstrips, Colonel Laughlin…
A Rendering of Then-Major Joseph Laughlin by Captain George Rarey
When they were not training, flying missions, sleeping, or eating, pilots needed downtime to unwind. Captain George Rarey did so by sketching. In this illustration, Captain Rarey catches an easy-going face on then-Major Laughlin as members of the…
A Press Release about Colonel Joseph Laughlin's Combat Record
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…
Press Release Concerning Colonel Joseph Laughlin and the Bombing of Bremen Airport
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…
Insignias of Destruction on Colonel Joseph Laughlin's P-47, Five by Five
Accounts were kept of what pilots destroyed in combat. To tout those successes, pilots would have the record painted on their planes, with tallies next to each symbol for tanks, trucks, and locomotives. The Nazi flags represented downed enemy…
Letters Between Pilots' Mothers With Newspaper Article
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,…
Mini Medal Set from Colonel Joseph Laughlin
These miniature medals represent the hardwork, determination, bravery, and leadership that Colonel Laughlin displayed throughout his 30 year military career. The medals he earned in World War II were (in order of importance): the Distinguished…