Fighter Pilot, Folk Figure. Born Philip Gerald Cochran, in Erie, Pennsylvania, the son of Lucy Reardon and Bernard Cochran. He attended Ohio State University, enlisting in the Reserve Officers Training Corps during his tenure. Upon graduation from OSU in 1935, he reported to Randolph Field, Texas, where he was one of 110 flying cadets. A year later, a 2nd lieutenant, he was one of 20 graduates to receive his Air Reserve officer's commission. In four years, he rose from flying cadet to Squadron commander of the 33rd Pursuit Squadron on the 8th Pursuit Group at Langely Field, Virginia. By 1941, he transferred to a fighter squadron at Groton, Connecticut. Flying P-40 Warhawks, he was noted for his prowess. He approached a school mate, cartoonist Milton Caniff, that year, to design an insignia for his fighter squadron. Caniff, in turn, was inspired to add a flier character, 'Flip Corkin' to his comic strip, 'Terry and the Pirates' which he based upon Cochran. Following the United States' entry in to the second World War, Major Cochran led a group of replacement pilots into North Africa, dubbing his unit the 'Joker Squadron.' His squadron flew support missions for French units. In 1943, he returned to the United States and was promoted to lieutenant colonel and was tasked with developing the First Air Commando Force. He was also responsible for the development of many tactical air combat, air transport, and air assault techniques. The resultant unit took part in the invasion of Burma. By the end of hostilities, he had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the French Croix de Guerre , the British Distinguished Service Order Medal, the Silver Star, the Soldier’s Medal, the Bronze Star, and the Chinese Order of Cloud and Banner, 4th Class. After resigning his commission in 1947, he worked briefly as an aviation advisor for the film, 'Jet Pilot.' He then took a position with Skymotive Corporation in Chicago, which did maintenance for private aircraft. His old friend, Milton Caniff then introduced a new comic strip called 'Steve Canyon,' for which Cochran was again a role model for a character; 'General Philerie' whose name was a combination of Cochran's first name and home town. He later rose to chairman of the board of the Lyons Transportation. He suffered a fatal heart attack while horseback riding at age 69. The Air Force Special Operations Command named their headquarters building after him.
Fighter Pilot, Folk Figure. Born Philip Gerald Cochran, in Erie, Pennsylvania, the son of Lucy Reardon and Bernard Cochran. He attended Ohio State University, enlisting in the Reserve Officers Training Corps during his tenure. Upon graduation from OSU in 1935, he reported to Randolph Field, Texas, where he was one of 110 flying cadets. A year later, a 2nd lieutenant, he was one of 20 graduates to receive his Air Reserve officer's commission. In four years, he rose from flying cadet to Squadron commander of the 33rd Pursuit Squadron on the 8th Pursuit Group at Langely Field, Virginia. By 1941, he transferred to a fighter squadron at Groton, Connecticut. Flying P-40 Warhawks, he was noted for his prowess. He approached a school mate, cartoonist Milton Caniff, that year, to design an insignia for his fighter squadron. Caniff, in turn, was inspired to add a flier character, 'Flip Corkin' to his comic strip, 'Terry and the Pirates' which he based upon Cochran. Following the United States' entry in to the second World War, Major Cochran led a group of replacement pilots into North Africa, dubbing his unit the 'Joker Squadron.' His squadron flew support missions for French units. In 1943, he returned to the United States and was promoted to lieutenant colonel and was tasked with developing the First Air Commando Force. He was also responsible for the development of many tactical air combat, air transport, and air assault techniques. The resultant unit took part in the invasion of Burma. By the end of hostilities, he had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the French Croix de Guerre , the British Distinguished Service Order Medal, the Silver Star, the Soldier’s Medal, the Bronze Star, and the Chinese Order of Cloud and Banner, 4th Class. After resigning his commission in 1947, he worked briefly as an aviation advisor for the film, 'Jet Pilot.' He then took a position with Skymotive Corporation in Chicago, which did maintenance for private aircraft. His old friend, Milton Caniff then introduced a new comic strip called 'Steve Canyon,' for which Cochran was again a role model for a character; 'General Philerie' whose name was a combination of Cochran's first name and home town. He later rose to chairman of the board of the Lyons Transportation. He suffered a fatal heart attack while horseback riding at age 69. The Air Force Special Operations Command named their headquarters building after him.
Bio by: Iola
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