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

It was later named the Lafayette Escadrille in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette, the French officer who served in the Continental Army in the American Revolution.

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

Until three years ago, the V.N.A.F. was a kind of Asian Lafayette Escadrille.

From Time Magazine Archive

But the Lafayette Escadrille lost none of its members, Tom and Jack were glad to learn.

From Air Service Boys Over The Enemy's Lines The German Spy's Secret by Charles Amory Beach