Lafayette Escadrille: Americans in the French Air Service

On May 19, 1916, the Escadrille Américaine (Lafayette) was transferred to Verdun. This sight has great pictures!

"Early in the war, many Americans showed a sincere interest in joining the French Air Service. The popularity of the air service among French Soldiers coupled with a suspected spying incident by an American who deserted the air service early in the war, created some resistance by the French initially.

Requests for entry were being granted on an individual basis, usually with the help of a French official. Americans began flying as both pilots and observers within French squadrons with no less than 7 future Lafayette Escadrille members serving in these capacities.

Many were assigned to bombing units flying Voisin pusher style biplanes. Bert Hall flew with a Nieuport squadron. William Thaw was assigned to a Caudron squadron, Escadrille C.42 commanded by Capitaine Georges Thenault, whom eventually became commander of the Lafayette Escadrille...

...Profile of a Squadron: Who Were They?
The Lafayette Escadrille, “The Lafayette Squadron,” was made up of only 38 American Volunteers. Approximately 170 other Americans served in various other French squadrons, and as a group, these men were designated the Lafayette Flying Corps.
Of the original 38 aviators:

28 had served in France in some capacity
Seven of the 28 had served in the French Air Service
23 were from the Eastern states, nine were from New York and two from the West
Average age was 26 - ages ranged from 20 to 40 years
Eleven were sons of millionaires
Thirty held college degrees or had enrolled in a higher educational institution. Harvard had nine alumni in the squadron
Nine had prewar flying experience."