MEXICAN AIR FORCE HEROES

Our war with the Axis threatened all of North America -- not just the U.S. Canada had already entered WWII in defense of England before the U.S. did. But not known to most Americans, was Mexico's contribution to save North America. Mexican Air Force Volunteers fought for us all.

The Mexican Air Force was equipped with 25 P-47D Thunderbolts during World War II, and the 201st Escuadron Aereo de Pelea of the Mexican Air Force was attached to the 58th Fighter Group and saw action in the Pacific against Japan during the latter stages of the war. The 201st EAP arrived in the Philippines in May of 1945, and saw combat against Japanese forces during the last phases of the battle for Luzon. The 201st EAP later moved to Okinawa with the rest of the 58th FG, and operated chiefly against Kyushu, the southernmost island of Japan. The Mexican P-47Ds operated primarily in the ground attack role, flying 96 combat missions during which seven pilots were lost.

201st Escuadron Aereo de Pelea