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

See Examples For:

Lafayette Escadrille

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

Norman Prince Centennial, a special service commemorating the 100th anniversary of the death of Norman Prince, a leading founder of France’s Lafayette Escadrille during World War I and one of the godfathers of the U.S.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 7, 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

He left school at 17 to join World War I's famed Lafayette Escadrille.

From Time Magazine Archive

Perhaps the best description of an idealized aviator was given by Lieutenant Lufbery, of the Lafayette Escadrille, who came to the United States to assist in training the new corps of American flying men.

From Aircraft and Submarines The Story of the Invention, Development, and Present-Day Uses of War's Newest Weapons by Abbot, Willis J. (Willis John)