Riding Crop of Colonel Joseph Laughlin
Colonel Laughlin would slap the riding crop against his boot to get the attention of his dog, Prince
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 would smack this riding crop against his boot to get the dog to come to him.
National Museum of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
November 1943- August 1945
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
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
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
P-47s on Take-Off
P-47s about to lift off from a makeshift airstrip
This photo shows P-47s in the 362nd fighter group preparing to take-off. They are waiting for the signal from the grounds crewman to hit the throttle. They are not attempting to do a dual take-off at this airfield in Reims, France.
The National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
October 1944
The Former Quarters of the 362nd Fighter Group in Reims, France
Before the chateau, the pilots of the 362nd Fighter Group were in tents on the edge of a forest
Lodgings were not always glamorous for the 362nd Fighter Group. However, after Colonel Joseph Laughlin managed to "acquire" a chateau outside Reims, the pilots of the group were upgraded from these tents.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
September 1944