Carroll W. McColpin
Encyclopedia
Major General Carroll W. McColpin (1914–2003) was a United States Air Force
officer who served during World War II
, and during the Cold War
. Prior to the United States entry into World War II, in November 1940, he volunteered for duty with the Royal Air Force
and was commissioned a pilot officer (second lieutenant) in the RAF before transferring to the United States Army Air Force in the grade of major, at London, England, in September 1942.
His decorations include the Legion of Merit, Air Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters and the British Distinguished Flying Cross. McColpin was credited with 12 kills, 5 probable, and 12 damaged while with the Eagle Squadrons. In both services he could have claimed a minimum of ten more Luftwaffe aircraft of mixed types destroyed on the ground by attacking German airfields in France and Germany. McColpin scored another 8 confirmed kills while in the Army Air Force.
in 1914 and was raised and educated in Los Angeles, California
. He participated in civilian flying activities in Los Angeles, and in 1936 obtained his pilot's certificate. As a young man, he had built his own airplane and taught himself the basics of stick flying and aerial acrobatics by the age of sixteen.
in November 1940.
After serving initially with the RAF's 607 Squadron
in May 1941 McColpin joined the second Eagle Squadron
, No. 121 Squadron
, as a pilot and then went to No 71 Squadron
, the 1st Eagle Squadron. In November 1941 he was awarded the British Distinguished Flying Cross
. The award was made personally by King George VI. In January 1942 he was posted as a flight commander to the 3rd Eagle Squadron No. 133
. McColpin went back to the United States
in June 1942 to participate for 10 weeks in a War Bond tour followed by 4 weeks home leave. On his return, being an American, an ace and having served in combat with all three Eagle Squadron, McColpin was appointed to command 133 Squadron.
General McColpin was the only American to fly combat in all three RAF American Eagle Squadrons. His total missions in these Squadrons exceeded three hundred counting the ones he flew with the 607. He was a double ace before Pearl Harbor and was the first American to be decorated, in Buckingham Palace by King George during World War II.
in Britain the US Eagle Squadron personnel and equipment transferred to the United States Army Air Force in September 1942 and McColpin was appointed to the rank of Major and the command of the 336th Fighter Squadron
, 4th Fighter Group. Returning to the United States in 1943, he was assigned duty as assistant deputy for operations, III Fighter Command
, Drew Field, Florida
, and he subsequently assumed command of the 407th Fighter Bomber Group at Lakeland Field, Florida
. in September of that year.
In January 1944, General McColpin was appointed commander of the 404th Fighter Bomber Group at Myrtle Beach Field, South Carolina
, and moved that unit overseas to England where he remained in command through the English, French and Belgian campaigns.
In December 1944, General McColpin transferred to the XXIX Tactical Air Command
as director of combat operations. He returned to the United States in March 1945 and served as deputy and later as commander of the III Fighter Command
Gunnery School at Pinellas Field, Florida until February 1946, when he proceeded to Germany
to command the 365th Fighter Group
at AAF Station Schweinfurt.
, until February 1950, when he entered the Armed Forces Staff College as a student. Upon his graduation from the Armed Forces Staff College in July 1950, General McColpin was assigned to the Continental Air Command
at Mitchel AFB, New York
, and later to the Air Defense Command, at Ent AFB, Colorado Springs, Colorado
, as director of operations and training. In June 1952, he was transferred to Eastern Air Defense Force
Headquarters at Stewart AFB, New York
as the deputy for operations, were he remained until entry into the Air War College
in July 1954.
After graduation from the Air War College in June 1955, General McColpin assumed command of the 64th Air Division (Defense) at Pepperrell Air Force Base, St. Johns Newfoundland
, Canada
. He was transferred to Headquarters North American Air Defense Command, Colorado Springs, Colorado, on August 1, 1958, as director of operations and served in that capacity until July 1962.
General McColpin commanded the San Francisco Air Defense Sector
at Beale AFB, California
, from August 1962 to June 1963, before his assignment as commander, Portland Air Defense Sector
, Adair Air Force Station, Oregon
.
In October 1964, General McColpin was named vice commander, 28th Air Division (SAGE), headquartered at Hamilton Air Force Base
, California
. He later became commander, Fourth Air Force
at Hamilton on 1 April 1966.
He retired on September 1, 1968.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
officer who served during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and during the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
. Prior to the United States entry into World War II, in November 1940, he volunteered for duty with the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
and was commissioned a pilot officer (second lieutenant) in the RAF before transferring to the United States Army Air Force in the grade of major, at London, England, in September 1942.
His decorations include the Legion of Merit, Air Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters and the British Distinguished Flying Cross. McColpin was credited with 12 kills, 5 probable, and 12 damaged while with the Eagle Squadrons. In both services he could have claimed a minimum of ten more Luftwaffe aircraft of mixed types destroyed on the ground by attacking German airfields in France and Germany. McColpin scored another 8 confirmed kills while in the Army Air Force.
Early years
Carroll Warren McColpin was born in Buffalo, New YorkBuffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
in 1914 and was raised and educated in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
. He participated in civilian flying activities in Los Angeles, and in 1936 obtained his pilot's certificate. As a young man, he had built his own airplane and taught himself the basics of stick flying and aerial acrobatics by the age of sixteen.
RAF Service
Despite official US disapproval, going via Canada to England where he joined the Royal Air ForceRoyal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
in November 1940.
After serving initially with the RAF's 607 Squadron
No. 607 Squadron RAF
No. 607 Squadron was a squadron of the Royal Air Force. It was formed in 1930 as a bomber unit in the Auxiliary Air Force and changed in 1936 to the fighter role. It fought in that role during World War II on the European front and in Asia...
in May 1941 McColpin joined the second Eagle Squadron
Eagle squadron
The Eagle Squadrons were 3 fighter squadrons of the Royal Air Force formed during World War II with volunteer pilots from the United States...
, No. 121 Squadron
No. 121 Squadron RAF
No. 121 Squadron was a Royal Air Force aircraft squadron that during the Second World War was one of the three Eagle Squadrons manned by American volunteers.-In World War I:...
, as a pilot and then went to No 71 Squadron
No. 71 Squadron RAF
No. 71 Squadron is a Royal Air Force aircraft squadron, the number has been used three times, once by the Royal Flying Corps for an Australian Flying Corps squadron, in the second world war as an Eagle Squadron and post-war as a fighter-bomber unit based in Royal Air Force Germany.-First World...
, the 1st Eagle Squadron. In November 1941 he was awarded the British Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
. The award was made personally by King George VI. In January 1942 he was posted as a flight commander to the 3rd Eagle Squadron No. 133
No. 133 Squadron RAF
133 Squadron RAF was one of the famous Eagle squadrons formed from American volunteers serving with the RAF during World War II.-History:133 Squadron was first formed in 1918 at RAF Ternhill. It was a training unit for the Handley Page O/400, flying the Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2, that was...
. McColpin went back to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in June 1942 to participate for 10 weeks in a War Bond tour followed by 4 weeks home leave. On his return, being an American, an ace and having served in combat with all three Eagle Squadron, McColpin was appointed to command 133 Squadron.
General McColpin was the only American to fly combat in all three RAF American Eagle Squadrons. His total missions in these Squadrons exceeded three hundred counting the ones he flew with the 607. He was a double ace before Pearl Harbor and was the first American to be decorated, in Buckingham Palace by King George during World War II.
USAAF Service
On America's entry into the war, and the arrival of the United States' Eighth Air ForceEighth Air Force
The Eighth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana....
in Britain the US Eagle Squadron personnel and equipment transferred to the United States Army Air Force in September 1942 and McColpin was appointed to the rank of Major and the command of the 336th Fighter Squadron
336th Fighter Squadron
The 336th Fighter Squadron ' is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 4th Operations Group and stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina....
, 4th Fighter Group. Returning to the United States in 1943, he was assigned duty as assistant deputy for operations, III Fighter Command
III Fighter Command
The III Fighter Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Third Air Force stationed at MacDill Field, Florida. It was inactivated on 8 April 1946.-Lineage:...
, Drew Field, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, and he subsequently assumed command of the 407th Fighter Bomber Group at Lakeland Field, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. in September of that year.
In January 1944, General McColpin was appointed commander of the 404th Fighter Bomber Group at Myrtle Beach Field, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, and moved that unit overseas to England where he remained in command through the English, French and Belgian campaigns.
In December 1944, General McColpin transferred to the XXIX Tactical Air Command
XXIX Tactical Air Command
The XXIX Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Ninth Air Force, based at Weimar, Germany...
as director of combat operations. He returned to the United States in March 1945 and served as deputy and later as commander of the III Fighter Command
III Fighter Command
The III Fighter Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Third Air Force stationed at MacDill Field, Florida. It was inactivated on 8 April 1946.-Lineage:...
Gunnery School at Pinellas Field, Florida until February 1946, when he proceeded to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
to command the 365th Fighter Group
365th Fighter Group
The 365th Fighter Group is an inactive United States Army Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Army Service Forces stationed at Camp Myles Standish, Massachusetts. It was inactivated on 22 September 1945....
at AAF Station Schweinfurt.
USAF Service
General McColpin returned to the United States from Germany in October 1947, to command the 31st Fighter Group at Turner AFB, Albany, GeorgiaAlbany, Georgia
Albany is a city in and the county seat of Dougherty County, Georgia, United States, in the southwestern part of the state. It is the principal city of the Albany, Georgia metropolitan area and the southwest part of the state. The population was 77,434 at the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the...
, until February 1950, when he entered the Armed Forces Staff College as a student. Upon his graduation from the Armed Forces Staff College in July 1950, General McColpin was assigned to the Continental Air Command
Continental Air Command
Continental Air Command was a Major Command of the United States Air Force responsible primarily for administering the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve.-Lineage:...
at Mitchel AFB, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, and later to the Air Defense Command, at Ent AFB, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
, as director of operations and training. In June 1952, he was transferred to Eastern Air Defense Force
Eastern Air Defense Force
The Eastern Air Defense Force is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Air Defense Command being stationed at Stewart Air Force Base, New York. It was inactivated on July 1, 1960.-History:...
Headquarters at Stewart AFB, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
as the deputy for operations, were he remained until entry into the Air War College
Air War College
The Air War College is a part of the United States Air Force's Air University, headquartered at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. Air University's higher headquarters is Air Education and Training Command headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The Air War...
in July 1954.
After graduation from the Air War College in June 1955, General McColpin assumed command of the 64th Air Division (Defense) at Pepperrell Air Force Base, St. Johns Newfoundland
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He was transferred to Headquarters North American Air Defense Command, Colorado Springs, Colorado, on August 1, 1958, as director of operations and served in that capacity until July 1962.
General McColpin commanded the San Francisco Air Defense Sector
San Francisco Air Defense Sector
The San Francisco Air Defense Sector is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the 28th Air Division, being stationed at Beale Air Force Base, California.- History :...
at Beale AFB, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, from August 1962 to June 1963, before his assignment as commander, Portland Air Defense Sector
Portland Air Defense Sector
The Portland Air Defense Sector is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the 25th Air Division, being stationed at Adair Air Force Station, Oregon. It was inactivated on 1 April 1966.- History :...
, Adair Air Force Station, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
.
In October 1964, General McColpin was named vice commander, 28th Air Division (SAGE), headquartered at Hamilton Air Force Base
Hamilton Air Force Base
Hamilton Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base located along the western shore of San Pablo Bay, south of Novato, California.-History:...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. He later became commander, Fourth Air Force
Fourth Air Force
The Fourth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Reserve . It is headquartered at March Air Reserve Base, California....
at Hamilton on 1 April 1966.
He retired on September 1, 1968.