Colonel Morton Magoffin Pins Eagles on Colonel Joe Laughlin

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