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
A Surrendered German Officer's Pistol and Memorandum of Presentation
Colonel Joseph Laughlin received a pistol from a German Officer after nearly 20,000 troops surrendered
The XIX Tactical Air Command (TAC) were very effective in their missions to bomb and disrupt the German lines, especially the P-47s in the 362nd Fighter Group. Upon the surrender of German troops at the Beaugency Bridge in France, officers handed over their pistols in capitulation. In recognition of his groups' successes, General Otto Weyland had one of the officer's pistols sent to Colonel Laughlin.
United States Army Air Corps
Fabryka Broni
September 23, 1944
1930s