Herbert W. Cochran
475th Fighter Group (475th FG), 433rd Fighter Squadron (433rd FS)
P-38 Lightning pilot
Background
Herbert W. Cochran was born September 3, 1921 to parents Herbert Walter Cochran and Effie May (née Nowlin) Cochran in Decatur, Illinois. Nicknamed "Herbie". He completed high school and was employed as as "semiskilled engineers, stationary".
Wartime History
On April 2, 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as a private with serial number 16060978. He attended flight school graduating from Williams Field in Mesa, AZ class of 43-D. During April 1943, he earned his wings and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O-743414. He married Betty Jean. He was sent overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA).
Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 475th Fighter Group (475th FG) "Satan's Angels",
433nd Fighter Squadron (433nd FS) "Possum" as a fighter pilot flying the P-38 Lightning.
In a letter to his wife dated October 11, 1943 he mentioned "Getting a plane assigned to me" and was assigned his first aircraft, P-38H "Red" 42-66843 until lost on November 2, 1943 piloted by 2nd Lt. Owen N. Giertsen who was later rescued.
During October 1943, Cochran began flying combat missions stationed at Borio
Airfield (Dobodura No. 11) and North Borio Airfield (Dobodura No. 15) in New Guinea.
On October 24, 1943 took off piloting P-38H Lightning 42-66839 on an escort mission over Vunakanau Airfield near Rabaul. Over the target, claimed a Zero, his first aerial victory claim.
On October 29, 1943 took off piloting P-38H "Red" 42-66843 on a mission escorting B-25s over Alexishafen. Over the target, credited with a Zero [sic Ki-43 Oscar], his second aerial victory. Later, this P-38 was lost on November 2, 1943 piloted by 2nd Lt. Owen N. Giertsen.
During early 1944, assigned P-38J "Decatur Illinois" 42-104358.
On July 28, 1944 took off piloting P-38J "Decatur Illinois" 42-104358 on a escort mission. Fifteen minutes after take off, the right engine and left engine both failed and he ditched into the sea off Biak. Cochran survived the landing unhurt and paddled in his life raft two hours to shore and waked back to Mokmer Drome.
Afterwards, his flight time was minimal based likely due to combat fatigue and rest and recuperation. Later, he was transfered back to the United States and became a P-38 flight instructor at Luke Field near Phoenix, AZ. On Sept. 22, 1944 he was promoted to the rank of Captain. Finally, to Redistribution Center in Miami, Florida on April 18, 1945.
Aerial Victory Claims
Cochran was officially credited with two aerial victories between September 9, 1943 until October 29, 1943. Other sources list his score as seven victories, likely counting the Ki-43 Oscar he likely collided with when loss, but neither was officially credited.
Awards
Cochran earned the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, WW2 Victory and Pacific Campaign Medal with a Bronze Star.
Postwar
Cochran and his wife Betty returned to Decatur, Illinois. He worked for 39 years as a supervisor of Staley (A. E. Staley). In 1948 they adopted their only son, Jay.
Memorials
Cochran died on March 10, 2004 at age 82. He is buried at Boiling Springs Cemetery in Decatur, IL.
Relatives
Betty Jean Park Cochran (wife)
References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Herbert W. Cochran
Individual Flight Record - 1st Lt. Herbert W. Cochran
Newspaper article: "Leut. Cochran Gets Jap Plane"
Newspaper article: " Cochran Gets another plane"
Newspaper article: " Cochran home from the Pacific"
Charles Lindbergh and the 475th Fighter Group "MacDonald and Lindbergh, flying with the Possums, led two flights up to 18,000 feet and cleared the thunderheads. Unnoticed, Lieutenant Herbert W. "Herbie" Cochran's Lightning, number 186, was going down after first the right, then the left engine quit. Too low to bailout, Cochran successfully ditched in the sea. So quickly had the lieutenant gone in that later his wingman, Lieutenant Ethelbert B. "E. B." Roberts assumed the downed pilot had snafued and had gone back to Mokmer."
Possum, Clover & Hades: 475th Fighter Group in World War II (2004) pages 191-193
475th Fighter Group (2007) page 56 color profile incorrectly lists serial number as 42-104319
FindAGrave - Herbert W. Cochran (grave photo)
Thanks to Mike Newland for additional information
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