Colonel Joseph Laughlin Describes Devastation in Germany to his Hometown Newspaper
Colonel Laughlin describes the devastation inflicted on a region in Germany by his 362nd Fighter Groups
In this article, Colonel Laughlin describes what he sees on the ground after his 362nd Fighter Group bombed and strafed a region outside Mainz in Germany.
Grand Island Daily Independent
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
March 19, 1945
General Otto Weyland and Colonel Joseph Laughlin Stand in Front of a Luftwaffe Plane
Colonel Laughlin, as Commander of the 362nd Fighter Group, reported directly to the Commander of the XIX Tactical Air Command (TAC), General Otto Weyland, under the auspices of the Ninth Air Force
Colonel Laughlin and General Weyland stand in front of a surrendered German Luftwaffe airplane, a Focke-Wulf (FW) 190 at the Frankfort Rhein Main Air Base in Germany. The plane had been flown in by the German Luftwaffe Commander to be surrendered to the 362nd Fighter Group in response to their overwhelming destruction of German planes on the ground and in the air in the month of April. General Weyland made the trip to share in the successes of his XIX TAC, 362nd Fighter Group.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
April 1945
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 Joseph Laughlin Receives a Nazi Officer's Pistol
A newspaper article confirming that Colonel Laughlin received a pistol from a Nazi Officer
An unknown newspaper announcing that Colonel Laughlin would be receiving a German Officer's pistol. The pistol was one of thousands turned over when 20,000 German soldiers surrendered, a feat Colonel Laughlin and the 362nd were credited with helping to do.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
1945
The 362nd Receives a Presidential Unit Citation
The 362nd received their second 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.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
March-April 1945