Charles Joseph Loring, Jr.
Major, U.S. Air Force
Medal of Honor Recipient
Korean War

Charles Joseph Loring, Jr. was born on 2 October 1918 in Portland, ME. He fought in the European theatre in World War II from 1944 as a U.S. Army Air Force fighter pilot with the 36th Fighter Group's 22nd Squadron. He completed 55 combat missions before being shot down and taken as a Prisoner of War.

Major Loring was sent to Korea in May 1952 with the 36th and 80th Squadrons, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. On 22 November 1952, Major Loring led his flight in dive-bombing enemy gun positions. When his plane was hit repeatedly during his attack run, Loring deliberately crashed his F-80 into the guns, destroying them. For his heroic self-sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Air Force, 80th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing

Place and date: Near Sniper Ridge, North Korea, 22 November 1952

Citation:

Maj. Loring distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. While leading a flight of 4 F-80 type aircraft on a close support mission, Maj. Loring was briefed by a controller to dive-bomb enemy gun positions which were harassing friendly ground troops. After verifying the location of the target, Maj. Loring rolled into his dive bomb run. Throughout the run, extremely accurate ground fire was directed on his aircraft. Disregarding the accuracy and intensity of the ground fire, Maj. Loring aggressively continued to press the attack until his aircraft was hit. At approximately 4,000 feet, he deliberately altered his course and aimed his diving aircraft at active gun emplacements concentrated on a ridge northwest of the briefed target, turned his aircraft 45 degrees to the left, pulled up in a deliberate, controlled maneuver, and elected to sacrifice his life by diving his aircraft directly into the midst of the enemy emplacements. His selfless and heroic action completely destroyed the enemy gun emplacement and eliminated a dangerous threat to United Nations ground forces. Maj. Loring's noble spirit, superlative courage, and conspicuous self-sacrifice in inflicting maximum damage on the enemy exemplified valor of the highest degree and his actions were in keeping with the finest traditions of the U.S. Air Force.

Other Medals

Purple Heart (2)
Air Medal

Honors

The U. S. Air Force base at Limestone, ME, was re-named Loring AFB in his honor.

Death & Memorial

Major Charles Joseph Loring, Jr. was killed in action on 22 November 1952. His remains were not recovered. A cenotaph for Major Loring is located at Honolulu Memorial in Honolulu, Honolulu County, HI, in the Courts of the Missing.