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.

---

Etymology

Origin of Lafayette Escadrille

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

Example Sentences

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

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

Mr. Averill didn't raise his boy to be a soldier, but when Walter joins the Lafayette Escadrille, somehow Mr. Averill and Sometown are proud of him.

From Time Magazine Archive

The officers testifying were young Americans of the Lafayette Escadrille of the French army.

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)