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McColpin Carroll Warren

Name:
Carroll Warren McColpin
Rank:
Major General
Serial Number:
Unit:
4th Air Force
Date of Death:
2003-11-28
State:
California
Cemetery:
Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virg
Plot:
66
Row:
Grave:
3779
Decoration:
Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters, Legion of
Comments:

Born November 15, 1914 in Buffalo, New York. He 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. 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. 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. McColpin was appointed to the rank of Major and the command of the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group and later assumed command of the 407th Fighter Bomber Group at Lakeland Field, Florida. In January 1944, General McColpin was appointed commander of the 404th Fighter Bomber Group. In December 1944, General McColpin transferred to the XXIX Tactical Air Command as director of combat operations and proceeded to Germany to command the 365th Fighter Group at AAF Station Schweinfurt. General McColpin returned to the United States from Germany in October 1947, to command the 31st Fighter Group. 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. After graduation from the Air War College in June 1955, General McColpin assumed command of the 64th Air Division (Defense). In October 1964, General McColpin was named vice commander, 28th Air Division and later became commander, Fourth Air Force at Hamilton on 1 April 1966. He retired on September 1, 1968.