Skaneateles Press, March 30, 1945
Credited with having personally destroyed three enemy fighter planes during a Pacific air battle, as well as the destruction of another three grounded planes during a strike against islands of the Philippines, Lachlan Douglas McLaughlin, USNR, of 128 Delaware St., Syracuse, NY, has received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal, it has been announced by Third Naval District Headquarters.

The son of Mrs. Charles J. McLaughlin of the Syracuse address, Lieutenant McLaughlin was employed by the Central New York Power Corp. before entering the naval service. He had previously attended Syracuse University.

The McLaughlin family lived at Skaneateles Falls. They moved from there about 15 years ago. He is related to the McLaughlin family of Syracuse.

A veteran of 36 combat missions, he trained at the Naval Air Station, Los Alamitos, Calif., and was commissioned on May 18, 1943. Flying an F6F (Hellcat), he has participated in major actions at Guam, Palau, the Volcano Islands, the Bonin Islands, Mindinao, Cebu, Leyte, Luson, Formosa, as well as in the Second Battle of the Philippines.

Award of the two honors to Lieutenant McLaughlin was authorized in the name of the President by Vice Admiral John S. McCain, USN, Commander Fast Carrier Task Force, Pacific Fleet. The citation accompanying the Distinguished Flying Cross read:

“For distinguishing himself by heroism while participating in an aerial flight while serving as pilot of a carrier based fighter aircraft on 6 Nov 1944 when he was one of a group of six fighters which aggressively countered attacks by fifteen enemy fighters, shooting down thirteen without loss to themselves. He personally destroyed three of these fighters thus contributing materially to the success of his mission. His courage and disregard for his own safety were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

The text of the citation accompanying the Air Medal follows:

“For distinguishing himself by meritorious acts while participating in aerial flights as pilot of a carrier-based fighter aircraft in strikes against islands of the Philippines from 10 Sept. to 21 Oct. 1944. His low level strafing attacks destroyed three planes on the ground and badly damaged five others during this period. Again on 12 Oct. he joined his division in strafing runs which destroyed two small enemy ships and damaged three others near the Pescadores Islands. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

Vice Admiral McCain signed both citations.

Lieutenant McLaughlin is 24 years old. He was born at Skaneateles Falls.