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Loren
George
McCollom
POW (WWII)
1914

–

May 15, 1982

Born:

Ritzville

, 

Washington

Home:

Ritzville

, 

Washington

Cemetery:

Cremated

As a fighter pilot in World War II, Loren McCollom was credited with shooting down one enemy airplane in aerial combat, before he was himself shot down and interned as a prisoner of war. After the war transferred to the U.S. Air Force when it became a separate branch of service in 1947. He retired in 1968 as a U.S. Air Force Major General.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Loren George McCollom (ASN: 0-393150), United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States, culminating in 1968. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General McCollom culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Germany)

    Action Date:

    November 1943 – May 1945
    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 34258

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Loren George McCollom (ASN: 0-393150), United States Army Air Forces, captured by German forces after he was shot down over enemy-occupied territory in November 1943, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his return to U.S. Military Control at the end of hostilities in May 1945.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    353d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 185 (March 18, 1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major (Air Corps) Loren George McCollom (ASN: 0-393150), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane of the 353d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, in 1944. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major McCollom, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    353d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 174 (October 1, 1943)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Air Corps) Loren George McCollom (ASN: 0-393150), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane of the 353d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, in 1943. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major McCollom, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    353d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Loren George McCollom (ASN: 0-393150), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 353d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.