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