Loren G. McCollom

Loren G. McCollom (April 15, 1915 – May 15, 1982) was a fighter pilot during World War II and a major general in the United States Air Force.[1][2][3] He flew a P-47 Thunderbolt based in England and was shot down over France in November 1943 and was a prisoner of war. He was commander of the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group during the Korean War.

Loren G. McCollom
Lieutenant Colonel Loren G. McCollom with his P-47 Thunderbolt
Nickname(s)Mac
Born(1914-04-15)April 15, 1914
Ritzville, Washington
DiedMay 15, 1982(1982-05-15) (aged 68)
Service/branchUnited States Army Air Forces
United States Air Force
Years of service1939–1968
Commands held61st Fighter Squadron
353rd Fighter Group
67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group
AwardsSilver Star
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star
Air Medal

Early life and education

Loren G. McCollom was born in Ritzville, Washington in 1914 and graduated from Ritzville High School in 1932. He attended Washington State College in Pullman and graduated in 1937.[4]

McCollom joined the United States Army Air Corps in 1939 was commissioned as a reserve second lieutenant in 1940. His first assignment was aircraft commander in the 8th Pursuit Group at Langley Field, Virginia.

World War II

McCollom was assigned command of the 6lst Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group in 1942. In August 1943 he assumed command of the 353rd Fighter Group in England and was promoted to lieutenant colonel.[4]

On 25 November 1943 McCollom P-47D Thunderbolt was hit by flak while strafing the Ft. Rouge Aerodrome, Saint-Omer, France.[5] He survived but was severely burned and spent the remainder of the war as a POW at Stalag Luft I.[6]

Korea

After World War II, McCollom was deputy commander of the 1st Fighter Group at March Air Force Base, in California. He was promoted to colonel and took command of the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group.[4]

He was transferred to Headquarters Tactical Air Command at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, Va. He command the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing in Korea in 1952 and spent a year in Tokyo, at the Far East Air Forces headquarters.

Cold War era

After returning from the Asia, McCollom was assigned to Headquarters Air Defense Command in Colorado Springs, Colorado.[4]

In June 1958, he was transferred to Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts. He was promoted to brigadier general in November 1958.

Military decorations

McCollom's decorations include a Silver Star with oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Commendation Ribbon, Purple Heart and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.

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See also

References
  1. Martin W. Bowman (1 January 2009). US 8th Army Air Force Fighter Command USAAF, 1943-45: P-38 Lightning, P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51 Mustang Squadrons in East Anglia, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Casemate Publishers. pp. 123–. ISBN 978-1-84415-905-5.
  2. C. James Quann (2005). WSU Military Veterans: Heroes and Legends. Tornado Creek Publications. ISBN 978-0-9740881-5-0.
  3. Kenn C. Rust; William N. Hess (1968). The Slybird Group: The 353rd Fighter Group on Escort and Ground Attack Operations. Aero Publishers.
  4. "Major General Loren G. McCollom". U.S. Air Force. Retrieved 2018-05-13.
  5. "Loren G McCollom". American Air Museum in Britain. Imperial War Museums. Retrieved 2018-05-13.
  6. "World War II - Prisoners of War - Stalag Luft I – Lt. Col. Loren G. McCollom". Retrieved 2018-05-13.
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