Skaneateles Press, March 30, 1945
Lt. McLaughlin Wins Two Medals
in Combat Action
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 misisions, 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 contibuting 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.

Syracuse Post-Standard, September 5, 1996
Lachlan D. McLaughlin
Lt. Comm. Lachlan Douglas "Doug" McLaughlin, 75, a former resident of the Skaneateles and Syracuse areas, died May 5 in Orlando, Fla.

Mr. McLaughlin was born in Skaneateles Falls. He attended Most Holy Rosary School in Syracuse and Syracuse University. He earned a master's degree in mathematics from American International College in Springfield, Mass. He entered the Navy from Syracuse University in 1942 as an aviation cadet. One of "The Boys From Syracuse," he was assigned to Fighter Squadron 19 aboard the carrier ship USS Lexington in the South Pacific. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal and Presidential Citation, with numerous other service medals during his 20-year career. He remained active with the 19th Fighter Squadron until his death.

Mr. McLaughlin taught mathematics in the South Hadley, Mass., school district and retired from the district several years ago. He was a communicant and sang in the choir and in theater productions at St. Cecilia's Church in Wilbraham, Mass.

Surviving are his wife, Marie Mahoney McLaughlin of Orlando; two sons, Lachlan D. of Orlando and Thomas J. of Wilbraham; a daughter, Mary R. Spears of Sylvester, W.Va.; three sisters, Martha McLaughlin and Kathleen Connor Dobrenin, both of Orlando, and Mary O'Leary of Syracuse; two grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of Mr. McLaughlin's life will be held for family and friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the home of his niece and her husband, Kathryn and Dr. Murray Grossman, 112 Woodberry Lane, Fayetteville.