Morton D. Magoffin

Morton David Magoffin (February 1, 1916 – July 10, 2007) was a United States Air Force colonel and a World War II flying ace. He flew P-47 Thunderbolts with the 362nd Fighter Group in Europe.

Life and career

Early life Magoffin was born on 1916 in Deerwood, Minnesota. After graduating from Crosby-Ironton High School on May 31, 1933, he entered the United States Military Academy in West Point as a cadet in 1933 and graduated in 1937.

On October 20, 1937, Magoffin received his pilot's wings after completing flight school at Kelly Field in Texas. He was first assigned to the 1st Pursuit Group at Selfridge Field in Michigan, where he flew Seversky P-35s. The 362nd FG main activities up to April 1944 was escorting bombers and striking communication installations in France and Belgium in anticipation of the impending invasion of Normandy. Following the invasion of Normandy in June 1944, the unit moved to Lignerolles Airfield, an advanced landing ground in Lower Normandy, France.

On July 31, he shot down an Fw 190 near Beaumont-Hamel, France, his fifth victory, earning him the title of flying ace. On August 10, 1944, while he was flying his 85th mission, his P-47 was hit by anti-aircraft fire. After completing the bombing run, he was unable to control the plane due to injuries he suffered after being struck by shrapnel.

Post war After World War II, Magoffin served in several U.S. Air Force roles. He was Director of Plans and Operations at Alaskan Air Command at Fort Richardson in Alaska, until November 1947, then commanded the 57th Fighter Group there until January 1949, and briefly acted as deputy commander of the 57th Fighter Wing until March 1949. He attended the Air War College in Alabama from July 1949 to July 1950, followed by a staff position at the Pentagon until May 1952 and a short role with the Inspector General's planning group until September 1952. He led the Air Base Defense School at Parks Air Force Base in California, from September 1952 to January 1955. In South Korea, from February 1955 to January 1956, he commanded the 6171st Air Base Wing and 6147th Tactical Control Group, and served as deputy commander of the 314th Air Division at Osan Air Base. He died on July 10, 2007, after a lengthy illness at his home in Pleasanton, California, at the age of 91. |group=N

Distinguished Service Cross citation

Magoffin, Morton David Colonel, U.S Army Army Air Forces 362nd Fighter Group, 9th Air Force Date of Action: July 13, 1944 Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 4 (January 8, 1945) Citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel (Air Corps) Morton David Magoffin, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane and Commanding Officer of the 362d Fighter Group, Ninth Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces in the European Theater of Operations on July 13, 1944. On this date, Colonel Magoffin was returning to a beachhead air strip in France with his supply of gasoline almost exhausted, when he observed a flight of FW 190 German fighter planes in front and 1,000 feet above him. Regardless of the odds against him, Colonel Magoffin unhesitatingly signaled for one of his flight leaders to join him in engaging the enemy and ordered the remainder of the squadron to continue to the beachhead. In the ensuing combat, Colonel Magoffin, displaying great skill and courage, destroyed two of the enemy planes while his wing pilot accounted for two more. At this time a direct hit from a 20 MM shell badly crippled the plane operated by Colonel Magoffin's companion, causing it to fly at a reduced rate of speed and at low altitude in the face of heavy flak and small arms fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, Colonel Magoffin drew attention from the damaged plane by dangerously exposing himself as a target. Although his plane was hit repeatedly and his engine failed just as he reached the airstrip, he succeeded in landing safely. The extraordinary heroism and outstanding leadership displayed by Colonel Magoffin on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.