The Lafayette Escadrille, founded in 1916 during World War I, emerged from the desire of American pilots to engage in the conflict alongside the Allies even before the official entry of the United States into the war. Under the command of Captain Georges Thénault, this aerial unit, named in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette, quickly gained a reputation for courage and effectiveness in combat. Its pilots undertook perilous missions, facing enemy aircraft superior in number and technology, yet their indomitable determination and commitment to the Allied cause remained unwavering.
Today, the Lafayette Escadrille is celebrated as one of the most legendary units in the history of military aviation, embodying the courage, determination, and sacrifice of those who fought for an ideal greater than themselves.