Charles J. Loring, Jr.

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Maj. Charles J. Loring, Jr.

United States Air Force
October 2, 1918(1918-10-02) – November 22, 1952 (aged 34)

Medal of Honor recipient Charles J. Loring, Jr.
Place of birth Portland, Maine
Place of death Near Sniper Ridge, Korea
Allegiance Flag of the United States United States of America
Service/branch Flag of the United States Air Force United States Air Force
United States Army Air Corps
Rank Major
Unit 36th Fighter Squardron
80th Fighter-Bomber Squadron
Battles/wars World War II
Korean War
Awards Medal of Honor
Purple Heart(2)
Air Medal

Charles J. Loring, Jr. (October 2, 1918–November 22, 1952) was an officer in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 22, 1952. The U. S. Air Force base at Limestone, Maine was renamed Loring AFB in his honor.

Contents

[edit] Military biography

Maj. Charles Joseph Loring Jr. fought in the European theatre in World War II from 1944 as a fighter pilot with the 36th Fighter Group's 22nd Squadron. He completed 55 combat missions before being shot down and taken prisoner. He was sent to Korea in May of 1952 with the 36th and 80th Squadrons, 8th Fighter Bomber Group.

On Nov. 22, 1952, Maj. Loring led his flight in dive-bombing enemy gun positions. When his plane was hit repeatedly during his attack run, Maj. Loring deliberately crashed his F-80 into the guns, destroying them.[1]

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Air Force, 80th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing

Place and date: Near Sniper Ridge, North Korea, 22 November 1952

Entered service at: Portland, Maine. Born: 2 October 1918, Portland, Maine

Citation:

Maj. Loring distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. While leading a flight of 4 F-80 type aircraft on a close support mission, Maj. Loring was briefed by a controller to dive-bomb enemy gun positions which were harassing friendly ground troops. After verifying the location of the target, Maj. Loring rolled into his dive bomb run. Throughout the run, extremely accurate ground fire was directed on his aircraft. Disregarding the accuracy and intensity of the ground fire, Maj. Loring aggressively continued to press the attack until his aircraft was hit. At approximately 4,000 feet, he deliberately altered his course and aimed his diving aircraft at active gun emplacements concentrated on a ridge northwest of the briefed target, turned his aircraft 45 degrees to the left, pulled up in a deliberate, controlled maneuver, and elected to sacrifice his life by diving his aircraft directly into the midst of the enemy emplacements. His selfless and heroic action completely destroyed the enemy gun emplacement and eliminated a dangerous threat to United Nations ground forces. Maj. Loring's noble spirit, superlative courage, and conspicuous self-sacrifice in inflicting maximum damage on the enemy exemplified valor of the highest degree and his actions were in keeping with the finest traditions of the U.S. Air Force.[2]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Major Charles J. Loring Jr.. National Museum of the USAF www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.
  2. ^ "CHARLES J. LORING, Jr." entry. Medal of Honor Recipients: Korean War. CMH, U.S. Army (July 16, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-12-31.