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

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

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

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

From Time Magazine Archive

From their homes in Bridgeton, Virginia, they eventually reached France and were admitted into that world-famed company—the Lafayette Escadrille.

From Air Service Boys Over The Rhine Fighting Above The Clouds by Beach, Charles Amory