The Aztec Eagles the forgotten allies of the Second World War Walter S. Zapotoczny Jr

Object Details

Notes
Location of publisher obtained from publisher website
NASM copy 39088019708049 purchased with funds from the S. Dillon Ripley Endowment.
Contents
Machine generated contents note: 1. The Mexican Air Force Up To World War II -- 2. The Road To War For Mexico -- 3. The Joint Mexican-United States Defense Commission -- 4. Creation Of The 201St Fighter Squadron -- 5. Organization And Personnel Of The 201St Fighter Squadron -- 6. Overcoming Discrimination -- 7. Training In The United States -- 8. Deployment To The Philippines -- 9. Flight Training In The Philippines -- 10. Life At Porac Airfield -- 11. Missions Over Luzon -- 12. Missions Over Formosa -- 13. Returning Home To A Hero's Welcome
Summary
"Very few people would include Mexico in the list of U.S. World War II Allies. Sadly, Mexico's aid to the United States and the Allies has been largely ignored by historians and is mostly absent from American history books. When the Mexican aviators had the opportunity to show their courage in battle, they did so with valor. Allied theater commander General Douglas MacArthur commended the pilots and 150 support personnel. The 31 pilots of Mexican Expeditionary Force 201st Fighter Squadron flew missions supporting ground troops in the Philippines and long-range sorties over Formosa. The Aztec Eagles helped the Allies defeat Japan. They helped end the isolationism of Mexico. They paved the way for important agreements between the United States and Mexico. They helped modernize the Mexican Air Force and demonstrated that Mexico could mount a successful expeditionary force. Significant as these achievements are, perhaps the unit's most important legacy is that the Aztec Eagles fought for honor and for Mexico as Allies in WWII, creating national pride throughout their homeland. That pride endures and is evident today as the story of the Aztec Eagles can be heard in towns and villages across the nation."--ONIX annotation
Data Source
Smithsonian Libraries
Date
2019
author
Zapotoczny, Walter S. Jr
Type
Biography
Biographies
Physical description
219 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates illustrations (some color) 24 cm
Place
Philippines
Luzon
Mexico
Mexique
Topic
World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, Mexican
World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American
World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns
Airmen
Fighter pilots
Aviateurs (Militaires)
Military campaigns
Military operations, Aerial--American
Record ID
siris_sil_1147881
Usage
CC0