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Captain Thomas J. Andrews, Captain Gilbert Halsey and Major John G. Dufour of the 4th Fighter Group after receiving the Eagle Squadron Insignia during a royal visit, June 1943. Passed for publication 25 Jun 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Duchess Of Kent Presents Plaques To Former Eagle Squadron Pilots. H.R.H. The Duchess of Kent visited a U.S. Army Air Station and presented plaques bearing the Eagle Squadron insignia to men who served in the Eagle Squadrons of the R.A.F. prior to the entry of the U.S.A. into the war. Keystone Photo Shows: Left to Right: The three former Eagle Squadron men who received plaques. Capt. Thomas J. Andrews, of Long Beach, Calif.; Capt. Gilbert Halsey, of Chickasha, Oklahoma; Major John G. Dufour of Alemada[Alameda], Calif. SG/US-Pool/B. Keystone (96).' On reverse: Keystone Press, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].
This contains information written on the back of the original print and some of it may be inaccurate.
Captain Thomas J. Andrews, Captain Gilbert Halsey and Major John G. Dufour of the 4th Fighter Group after receiving the Eagle Squadron Insignia during a royal visit, June 1943. Passed for publication 25 Jun 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Duchess Of Kent Presents Plaques To Former Eagle Squadron Pilots. H.R.H. The Duchess of Kent visited a U.S. Army Air Station and presented plaques bearing the Eagle Squadron insignia to men who served in the Eagle Squadrons of the R.A.F. prior to the entry of the U.S.A. into the war. Keystone Photo Shows: Left to Right: The three former Eagle Squadron men wh received plaques. Capt. Thomas J. Andrews, of Long Beach, Calif.; Capt. Gilbert Halsey, of Chickasha, Oklahoma; Major John G. Dufour of Alemada[Alameda], Calif. SG/US-Pool/B. Keystone (96).' On reverse: Keystone Press, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].
Group
Some of the pilots of the 4th Fighter Group had seen many hours of combat by the time they joined the 4th Fighter Group as they had volunteered with the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Air Force. The three 'Eagle Squadrons' of RAF Fighter...
Squadron
'On 19 September 1940, No. 71 was reformed at Church Fenton as the first 'Eagle' Squadron to be manned by American personnel. The Squadron received Hurricanes in November and became operational on defensive duties on 5 February 1941. No. 71 converted...
Squadron
'On 14 May 1941, No. 121 was reformed at Kirton-in-Lindsey as the second 'Eagle' Squadron to be manned by American volunteers. Equipped with Hurricanes, it began defensive patrols in October but in November it converted to Spitfires. It moved to North...
Squadron
'On 1 August 1941, No. 133 reformed at Coltishall as the third 'Eagle' Squadron manned by American personnel. Equipped with Hurricanes it became operational at the end of September. The next month the Squadron moved to Northern Ireland, returning to...
Military | Lieutenant Colonel | Squadron Commander
Joined RAFVR, service pilot training in US Dallas Aviation School RAF refresher course, shipped overseas to ETO, operational training at OTU, assigned to 71S, led Blue Flight 1st mission over Dieppe 18-8-42, transferred to 334FS 4FG 8AF USAAF 16-9-42 —...
Military | Major | Fighter Pilot
Joined 71 [Eagle] Sqn RAF, transferred to 336th FS, 4th FG, 8th AF USAAF.
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Military | Major | Pilot
He graduated from Cement High School. He attended the University of Oklahoma for one year before attending Spartan Air School. He enlisted in the Royal Air Force on May 1, 1941.
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Military site : airfield
RAF Debden, construction of which began in 1935, is perhaps most famous as a Battle of Britain fighter airfield, partly responsible for the defence of London in 1940. In 1942 it was also home to three RAF 'Eagle Squadrons’ of volunteer American pilots...
