Carroll W. McColpin
Carroll Warren McColpin  |
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|---|---|
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| Born |
November 15, 1914 Buffalo, New York |
| Died | November 28, 2003 (aged 89) Los Angeles, California |
| Buried | Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch |
Royal Air Force United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1940-1968 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |
UK Distinguished Flying Cross Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters Air Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters US Distinguished Flying Cross Croix de Guerre (France) Croix de Guerre (Belgium) |
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 Forces 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.
Carroll Warren McColpin was born in Buffalo, New York 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.
Despite official US disapproval, going via Canada to England where he joined the Royal Air Force 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.
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