Philip Cochran
Philip Gerald Cochran | |
|---|---|
Colonel Philip Cochran, USAAF, in 1944. | |
| Born | January 29, 1910 Erie, Pennsylvania |
| Died | August 26, 1979 (aged 69) Geneseo, New York |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | U.S. Army Air Corps (1935–1941) U.S. Army Air Forces (1941–1945) |
| Years of service | 1935–1945 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Commands | 1st Air Commando Group |
| Battles / wars | World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal Distinguished Service Order (UK) Distinguished Flying Cross Croix de Guerre (France) |
Philip Gerald Cochran (born in Erie, Pennsylvania; January 29, 1910 - August 26, 1979) was an officer in the United States Army Air Corps and the United States Army Air Forces. Cochran developed many tactical air combat, air transport, and air assault techniques during the war, particularly in Burma during operations as co-commander (with Col John R. Alison) of the 1st Air Commando Group. Cochran was the inspiration behind characters in the Terry and the Pirates and Steve Canyon by Milton Caniff.