They were a group of young Americans looking for a way to contribute to the French war effort. Many were former members of the Foreign Legion or the American Ambulance Service, and a few were already serving as pilots in the French Air Corps. They seemed to embody the romantic image of a war of chivalry coupled with living the high life. This would become the trademark of the Lafayette Escadrille, which is portrayed in the current movie "Flyboys."

Origin

1916

The Escadrille American was established in April 1916. It was the brainchild of Dr. Edmund L. Gross (American Ambulance Service) and Norman Prince (French Air Corps). They persuaded the French government to form a volunteer American squadron in an effort to rouse interest in the European conflict. At this point, the United States was still a neutral nation and would not enter the conflict until April 6, 1917. The name of the American squadron — "Escadrille American" — so offended the Germans that a formal complaint was filed with the then-neutral U.S. government in December. It was soon changed to the "Lafayette Escadrille."* The original unit was commanded by Capt. George Thenault (French) and was composed of seven American pilots — Victor Chapman, Elliot Cowdin, Bert Hall, James McConnell, Norman Prince, Kiffin Rockwell and William Thaw. The unit would last for 20 months, and eventually the squadron would be assimilated into the U.S. Army's 103rd Pursuit Squadron.

*Lafayette was the French general who served with the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

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