Penn State Meteorology alumnus among the first graduating class of the Air Force ROTC in 1950
We had a couple of close calls': Jim Corcoran took to the air during his time in Korea
- News-Democrat (Belleville, IL)
As he grew up in Henderson, Minn., Jim Corcoran dreamed of becoming a famous flier like his idol, Charles Lindbergh.
"He made his famous flight from New York to Paris in 1927, the year I was born," Corcoran said of Lindbergh. "He grew up in Minnesota and so did I. I read his first book in grade school."
As a high schooler, he believed it was his destiny to fight in World War II against the Axis. So he signed up for the Army during his junior year with thoughts of joining the U.S. Army Air Force.