John "Red" Cochran

John "Red" Cochran (Pilot)
(August 2, 1922 - September 5, 2004)

Also Refer to...
http://www.b24bestweb.com/b24bestweb-Famous.htm

Contributor - Russ Cochran
I am Russ Cochran, son of Red Cochran. I found your site while searching for info about my dad who passed away recently. I thought I would add or correct some info on his football career. When he played for the Cardinals he started at cornerback He had 15 interceptions in his first 2 (47-48) seasons including 2 interceptions in the 1948 Championship game. He was a reserve at running back. He was a special teams star as well. He still holds the Cardinal team Record for season punt return average at 21 yards per return in 49. He was also their punter. He was drafted by the Cardinals in 1944 while he was in the service. He was an offensive passing back in the single wing formation. He is also in the Wake Forest Hall of Fame 1974.
He also coached for the Detroit lions from 1956-58, The St. Louis Cardinals in 68-69, The San Diego chargers in 1970.
In his NFL career he was part of 7 NFL championship teams, including 2 Super Bowls. He coached the NFL hall of fame backfield of Bart Starr, Jim Taylor, & Paul Hornung. He was elected to the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1997. At the time of his death he was the oldest Scout in the NFL.
Flew on B-24s named LITTLE EGYPT (44-49569) and The BIG SLEEP (S/N ?). His active duty was from March 45 to the end of the was. Most of his missions were flying fuel over the hump into Kunming China. I know he flew on radar night bombing missions in the South China Sea and Tokyo Bay.
I have stayed close to aviation as a metallurgical engineer at McDonnell Douglas/Boeing St. Louis for the past 22 years working on the F-15, C-17, F/A-18, Harpoon/SLAM missile, and currently the Small Diameter Bomb. My dad drooled over this 250 lb GPS guided bomb that can glide 40+ miles and is accurate to a 2 meter radius. This capability would have saved many airmen.
I really enjoyed your website.

Thanks
Russ Cochran