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LAFAYETTE ESCADRILLE

LAFAYETTE ESCADRILLE, a squadron of volunteer American aviators who fought for France before the United States entered World War I. Formed on 17 April 1916, it changed its name, originally Escadrille Américaine, after German protest to Washington. A total of 267 men enlisted, of whom 224 qualified and 180 saw combat. Since only 12 to 15 pilots formed each squadron, many flew with French units. They wore French uniforms and most had noncommissioned officer rank. On 18 February 1918 the squadron was incorporated into the U.S. Air Service as the 103d Pursuit Squadron. The volunteers—credited with downing 199 German planes—suffered 19 wounded, 15 captured, 11 dead of illness or accident, and 51 killed in action.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Whitehouse, Arthur George Joseph (Arch). Legion of the Lafayette. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1962.

Charles B. MacDonald/C. W.