Lafayette Escadrille - Post WWI
The history of the Lafayette Escadrille did not end when the squadron was incorporated into the American Air Service. Recognizing the contribution of the American volunteers who flew for the French cause, the Service Aeronautique designated one of its own squadrons to carry on the tradition.

In 1920, the title Lafayette Escadrille was assigned to 7th Squadron of the 35th Aero Regiment, and its planes carried the Sioux head insignia.

In 1933, the Sioux Squadron was joined with the other elite group, Cigognes (the Storks) to form the Groupe de Chasse 2/5, the Escadron Lafayette. This unit served at various bases throughout France during the 1930’s and was stationed at Toul-Croix-de-Metz when the Second World War broke out in September 1939.

On 20 September, Sergent Pilote Legrand flying his Curtiss “Hawk” downed a Messerschmitt BF 109 for Escadron Lafayette’s first victory.

With the outbreak of the War, an effort was mounted by some Americans along with Colonel Thenault, the Escadrille’s first commander, and Dr. E. Gros to create another American volunteer unit. However, the fall of France cut short their efforts.

The Lafayette unit was re-formed in North Africa where it flew with the Free French Air Force. The Curtiss “Hawks” were replaced with far superior P-40F “Warhawks.” Over the course of the War, the Groupe 2/5 flew in the North African, Italian, French and German sectors. In April 1944, the P-47D became the unit’s aircraft which it flew until 1949.

In January 1945, the Group 2/5 completed a cycle when it returned to the Luxeuil Air Base, the field from which the first Lafayette Escadrille had flown in 1916.