AMERICAN GI FORUM CELEBRATES EL ESCUADRON 201 (THE AZTEC EAGLES) IN MEXICO CITY

Dear Fellow Forumeers:

On Sunday, November 18, 2007, a spontaneous delegation of American GI  Forum members attended a Ceremony at the Bosque de Chapultepec, Mexico  D.F., in respect to the 62nd Anniversary of the return of El Escuadron 201 from  their successful military service during World War II.  

El Escuadron 201 consisted of 33 pilots and 270 support personnel who volunteered to fight on the side of the United States after several of  Mexico's oil tanks were attacked and sunk by a German submarine. The 33 pilots  and support personnel flew 42 missions inside the territory of the Philippines  and the Island of Formosa (Taiwan). Ten of the members of El Escuadron 201,  including
five pilots who flew the T-47, did not return a La Patria De La  F.A.E.M. The event hosted by La Secretaria De La Defensa Nacional y La  Comandancia De La Fuerza Aerea Mexicana was highly successful.

I hope that the Escuadron 201 Ceremony in Mexico City  is afforded due recognition next year by the Leadership of our  Organization in relationship to the Honorary membership accorded to the members  of El Escuadron 201 in the American GI Forum, and their participation in our  Organization events. It would be great if a larger delegation of American GI  Forum members from a cross
section of the country attended this impressive  event.

I have attached a few snapshots of this event for your information. Please call or e-mail me if you have any questions.

Lupe Saldana  
Former National Commander
American GI Forum of the US
Vietnam Veteran, USMC