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 Joseph Laughlin Shakes Hands with Colonel Morton Magoffin
Colonel Laughlin and Colonel Magoffin remained good friends from their time at Wheeler Field in Hawaii
With one leg in the cockpit of his P-47, Colonel Laughlin shakes hands with his commander, Colonel Magoffin, the two of them sharing a laugh amidst the stresses of training for war.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
1943
Portrait Photographs of Colonel Joseph Laughlin
Formal and informal photographs of Colonel Laughlin
Two portrait photos of Colonel Laughlin. One is formal, with him facing the camera in his Officer's uniform. The other is informal, with him looking off to one side while wearing his flight suit over his uniform. Both photos show him with the same haircut, and although he isn't smiling overtly, you can catch a glimpse of a smirk on his face.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
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
Colonel Joseph Laughlin and Officers of the 362nd Fighter Group in Front of the Chateau Outside Reims
Colonel Laughlin acquired a chateau outside of Reims in France to house the pilots of the 362nd Fighter Group
From left, 1st Lt. Joe Lane, Colonel Laughlin, 1st Lt. John Hill, and an unknown pilot stand in front the the chateau outside of Reims. Colonel Laughlin managed to "acquire" it, and it was large enough to house all of the pilots of the 362nd Fighter Group. These were the most comfortable accommodations the men would see during the war, and they never wanted to leave. The officers appear to have just come from the airstrip, as all of them are wearing their flight suits, with the two officers in front, both from the 377th Fighter Squadron, also wearing their leather jackets.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
October 1944
A Serious Colonel Laughlin in Front of his Last P-47 at Straubing Air Base, Germany
A serious look from a usually jovial man
Although he was known as a very jovial person, Colonel Laughlin had a serious side that he never really showed in front of cameras. Here he looks out with a very severe and serious expression while standing in front of his final P-47 in his flight suit. He was probably surveying the damage his own group had delivered to the base only a few weeks before, on April 27
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
May 1945
Colonel Joseph Laughlin Ready to Fly
Colonel Laughlin in his flight suit ready to fly his P-47, Five by Five
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.
National Museum of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
1943-1945