Flyboys

The Lafayette Flying Corps.  In 1916, a group of American volunteer pilots were formed into what was to be called the "Escadrille Lafayette"--- pioneers from the volunteer combatants who had been integrated into the French Foreign Legion.   Dr. Edmund Gros, medical officer of the American Field Service, now located at 21 Rue Raynouard in the Passy section of Paris, recruited many ambulance drivers under his care---- all of whom went on to furnish almost a third of the Escadrille's personnel.  These drivers felt that they had not been doing enough for their host country, and wanted to get more involved.  Some joined other units than the Escadrille---- so the entire group of American volunteer pilots, whatever their assignment, is known as the "Lafayette Flying Corps."