Lafayette Escadrille

American  

noun

1. a contingent of American aviators who in 1916 served as volunteers Escadrille Américaine in the French air force and in 1918 became the 103rd Pursuit Squadron of the U.S. Army.

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Etymology

Origin of Lafayette Escadrille

< French Escadrille Lafayette literally, Lafayette wing, officially Escadrille No. 124 of the French Army's Service aéronautique

Example Sentences

First created in 1916, the Lafayette Escadrille was composed of volunteer American pilots who fought under French Capt. Georges Thenault before the United States’ official declaration of war.

From Washington Post • Aug. 23, 2018

On Friday, the cathedral will host a service marking the centennial of Prince’s death and recall a founder of a dashing band of American pilots known as the Lafayette Escadrille.

From Washington Post • Oct. 12, 2016

The ambulance services expanded, newfangled airplanes offered high-risk adventure in the Lafayette Escadrille and other French flying squadrons, and the famously tough Legionnaires saw constant action.

From Reuters • Feb. 18, 2015

A Lafayette Escadrille was formed in Paris for service in Morocco.

From Time Magazine Archive

With several other Americans we formed what we called the American Escadrille; but as the United States was neutral at that time, we were obliged to change the name to the Lafayette Escadrille.

From Lest We Forget World War Stories by Bigwood, Inez