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Lafayette Escadrille
LAFAYETTE ESCADRILLELAFAYETTE 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. BIBLIOGRAPHYWhitehouse, Arthur George Joseph (Arch). Legion of the Lafayette. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1962. Charles B.MacDonald/c. w. |
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"Lafayette Escadrille." Dictionary of American History. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Lafayette Escadrille." Dictionary of American History. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3401802292.html "Lafayette Escadrille." Dictionary of American History. 2003. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3401802292.html |
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Lafayette Escadrille
Lafayette Escadrille the Escadrille Américaine (Escadrille No. 124), a World War I French army aviation unit composed of American volunteers led by French officers. Activated on March 21, 1916, the Escadrille Américaine was commanded by French Captain Georges Thenault. Some 267 Americans served in the unit which was credited with destroying 199 German aircraft. Its most famous American pilot was Raoul Lufbery, who downed seventeen German planes before his death in 1918. On December 25, 1917, ninety-three members of the Lafayette Escadrille transferred to the American Air Service and another twenty-six to the U.S. Navy's air arm, and on February 13, 1918, the Lafayette Escadrille became officially the 103rd Aero Squadron of the American Air Service.
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"Lafayette Escadrille." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Lafayette Escadrille." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-LafayetteEscadrille.html "Lafayette Escadrille." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-LafayetteEscadrille.html |
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Lafayette Escadrille
Lafayette Escadrille , small group of American volunteer aviators in World War I, created (Apr., 1916) as Escadrille Américaine in the French air service. It was renamed the Lafayette Escadrille in December of the same year in honor of the French hero's service in the American Revolution, and the outfit saw much frontline action and suffered heavy casualties. In Jan., 1918, the Lafayette Escadrille was reorganized in the U.S. army as the 103d Pursuit Squadron.
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"Lafayette Escadrille." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Lafayette Escadrille." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-LafayettE.html "Lafayette Escadrille." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-LafayettE.html |
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