WASHINGTON – The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) officially endorsed Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez’s (D-CA) bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the Mexican Expeditionary Air Force’s Escuadrón 201.
“I am honored to receive the Hispanic Caucus’ official endorsement of my bill recognizing the brave airmen of Escuadrón 201,” said Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez. “These heroes fought alongside U.S. Armed Forces and were critical to ensuring an Allied Victory during World War II. By awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to Escuadrón 201, we honor their sacrifices for freedom and memorialize the strong bond between the United States and Mexico.”
“The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) is proud to endorse the Escuadrón 201 Congressional Gold Medal Act by Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38),” said Chairman Raul Ruiz, M.D.
“Her bill awards the Congressional Gold Medal to Mexican Expeditionary Air Force’s Escuadrón 201. We are eager to see this bill pass the House to honor Escuadrón 201 for fighting alongside the U.S. Armed Forces and to commemorate the unshakable bond between Mexico and the United States. I thank Congresswoman Sánchez for her leadership in honoring the sacrifices and enormous contributions that Escuadrón 201 has made for our nation.”
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus officially endorsed the legislation on October 6, 2022. The Caucus posted the endorsement on social media on October 25, 2022.
Nicknamed the “Aztec Eagles,” the Mexican Expeditionary Air Force’s Escuadrón 201 trained with U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) both in Mexico and at USAAF schools in the U.S. before deploying to fight in the Philippines. Escuadrón 201 provided close in ground support for U.S. forces, as well as conducted long range strikes deep into Japanese-held territory.
During its 795 combat sorties and 2,000 hours of combat flying with the U.S. 5th Air Force and the 58th Fighter Group in the South Pacific, 7 pilots lost their lives in the war effort.
