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Very few all-Latino units in the armed forces were involved during World War II. The 201st Fighter Squadron, also known as the Aztec Eagles, is one of those few units. The 201st Fighter Squadron was composed of all Mexican nationals and is under the Mexican Expeditionary Air Force. This squadron was formed of 33 pilots and more than 270 ground personnel.
Radames Gaxiola Andrade and his maintenance crew. 1945. (“71 Aniversario Del Retorno a La Patria De La FAEM Escuadrón 201”)
Pilots of the 201st Fighter Squadron, at Major's Field Air Force Base, Greenville, Texas. 1945. (“71 Aniversario Del Retorno a La Patria De La FAEM Escuadrón 201”)
Sgt. José Luis Martínez Miranda received an Aircraft Maintenance Course Certificate in September 1944. (“71 Aniversario Del Retorno a La Patria De La FAEM Escuadrón 201")
Volunteers, before joining the 201st Fighter Squadron, range from having some military experience to none at all. For example, Lieutenant Reynaldo Perez Gallardo transferred from the cavalry into the 201st Fighter Squadron However, all of the volunteers trained in the United States. The volunteers range from participating in maintenance crews up to being pilots. With training in place, the 201st Fighter Squadron was ready for war!
This video shows the 201st Fighter Squadron in the Philippines during World War II. In March of 1945, the 201st Fighter Squadron attached itself to the U.S. 5th Air Force 58th Fighter Group of the United States Army Air Forces in the Philippines. The squadron provided support to the 58th Fighter Group during its first mission.
( “201st Fighter Squadron (Mexico), Philippine Islands, Luzon 1945”)
Philippine army and Mexican Air Force members stand near a painting of "Panchito Pistoles", the mascot of the 201st Squadron, on a wing of a Japanese plane. (Carnes)
President Manuel Ávila Camacho reviews the 201st Fighter Squadron at the Balbuena Air Base accompanied by Secretary of Defense General Lázaro Cárdenas del Río and General Fransisco Luis Urquizo. 1944. (“71 Aniversario Del Retorno a La Patria De La FAEM Escuadrón 201”)
In July 1945, the 58th Fighter Group deploys to Okinawa, Japan. The 201st Fighter Squadron is responsible for air operations in Okinawa. During WW2, the 201st Fighter Squadron lost 7 pilots. The 201st unit is the only unit in the history of Mexico to fight outside of Mexico’s border. Because the squadron is made up of all Mexican nationals, it is a source of pride for Mexico.
Additional Information
Recommended Books
The Aztec Eagles: The Forgotten Allies of the Second World War by Walter Zapotoczny
201st Squadron: The Aztec Eagles: The History of the Mexican Pilots Who Fought in World War II by Gustavo Vázquez Lozano
Links to Newspaper Articles that Mention the Aztec Eagles
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