Sánchez re-introduces bill to award Congressional Gold Medal to Escuadrón 201

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-CA) re-introduced legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Mexican Expeditionary Air Force's Escuadrón 201.

"The Congressional Gold Medal is reserved only for those who have made significant contributions to our nation, and the airmen of Escuadrón 201 certainly fit the bill," said Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez. "These brave heroes fought alongside U.S. Armed Forces and were indispensable to the Allied Victory in World War II. Escuadrón 201's heavy sacrifices to defend freedom deserve to be memorialized as an example of the unshakeable bond between our two countries."

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.

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