LT COL Thomas Cochran, Jr

Thomas Rosser Cochran, Jr., known to family and friends as “Tom,” was a distinguished World War II veteran, devoted husband and father, and a respected member of the Greensboro community. Born in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, he later made Greensboro his lifelong home, residing there from 1937 onward.

During World War II, Tom served as an Aircraft Commander and pilot of the B 17 Flying Fortress, flying fifty combat missions over Europe between 1942 and 1943. At a time when bomber crew survival rates were perilously low, he successfully brought his entire crew home safely, a testament to his skill, leadership, and quick judgment under fire. For his valor and service, he was awarded the Air Medal with nine Oak Leaf Clusters.

Following his combat service, Lt. Col. Cochran continued to serve his country as an Operations Officer, training B 29 bomber crews until the end of the war. He remained in the military through the Reserves for a total of twenty two years, retiring in 1967 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

As founder and president of Cochran Restaurant Equipment Company, Inc. for 35 years, he helped organize and served as first president of the NC Food Service Equipment Dealers Association.

Tom was a member of the Greensboro Rotary Club, served as secretary and president, was a Paul Harris Fellow, Rotarian of the Year in 1977 and achieved a 68-year perfect attendance. In May of 2018, he was presented with a Lifetime Perfect Attendance Award, and the Greensboro Rotary’s yearly Perfect Attendance award was named in his honor. He was a local director of Bank of North Carolina and a former member of Greensboro Country Club.

He volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, Mobile Meals and Reading Connections Literacy Program.

In later years, as interest in World War II history grew, Tom generously shared his experiences with students and community groups, ensuring that the lessons and sacrifices of his generation would not be forgotten. He was honored by numerous organizations for his service and participated in a Flight of Honor to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Tom passed away on November 25, 2020, at the age of 100. He is remembered as a courageous American hero, a gracious Southern gentleman, and a man whose life reflected service, humility, and devotion to others.