At the time of this printing, the RAF’s Eagle squadron, “the only unit that is all-American save for the British squadron leader”, had been put to use flying offensive missions over occupied-Europe:
“The first raid in which they participated was on July 2 [1941], when the squadron accompanied other RAF units which escorted bombers raiding an airdrome at Lille, France. High explosives were crashing on the target when Messerschmitt 109 fighters roared at the bombers and the fighter guard… The youngest Eagle broke the Nazi attack and shot down a Messerschmitt.”
Britain was grateful for the fighting spirit of these pilots and a statue was raised in their honor at Grosvenor Square, London. In 1942 the squadron was broken up and the pilots reassigned to the Eighth Air Force of the American Air Corps, where, throughout the course of the war, they were awarded 12 Distinguished Flying Crosses and one Distinguished Service Order.
Interred at St.Paul’s Cathedral, London, lays William Mead Lindsely Fisk III, the first American RAF officer killed in 1940, during the Battle of Britain.
