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
Colonel Joseph Laughlin Speaks with Sergeant Raymond J. Chodor
Colonel Laughlin and his crew chief, Sgt. Chodor respected and trusted each other
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 plane, it was up to the crew chief to help guide the pilot towards the end of the airstrip for takeoff. The way the pilot was situated before takeoff, he could not see the ground in front of his plane.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
Late 1944-1945
Colonel Laughlin in the Cockpit of his Final P-47
Colonel Laughlin prepares for takeoff in his P-47, Five by Five
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 Laughlin untangles his helmet and goggles, cigar in mouth. You can see the three Nazi flags and battleship insignia displayed prominently on his aircraft.
United States Army Air Corps
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
1945
Insignias of Destruction on Colonel Joseph Laughlin's P-47, Five by Five
The official destruction insignia located on Colonel Laughlin's P-47
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 aircraft; 5 flags meant the pilot was an ace. Colonel Laughlin was the only known pilot in World War II to be solely credited for sinking an enemy ship. The battleship insignia represented the German Light Cruiser he sunk in Brest Harbor.
Republic Aviation Corporation
US Army Air Corps
National Museum of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
1940s
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