In May 1945, a squadron of P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft poured .50-caliber rounds on a Japanese military convoy, blowing the trucks up in flames. The fighters-who were part of a 300-strong squadron nicknamed Aztec Eagles-were all Mexican soldiers fighting to liberate the Filipino people.

The 201st Fighter Squadron of the Mexican Expeditionary Air Force were celebrated as brave and deadly in their aircraft. Filipinos and Americans remembered them for their ferocity in battle and their contribution to improving the relations between Mexico and the United States following the end of the war.

Forming the Squadron

Mexico was the only other Latin American country to fight against the Japanese empire. The decision to join the war was made by a soldier-turned-president, President Manuel Avila Camacho. Avila Camacho was initially reluctant to join the war. But on May 14, 1942, several Mexican sailors were killed after German forces torpedoed an oil tanker off the coast of Florida. A week later, the Germans killed seven Mexican sailors aboard another tanker. In response, the president organized the Aztec Eagles. The soldiers were sent to the United States to train.

The squadron included Colonel Antonio Cardenas Rodrigues who had previously flown with the U.S. Air forces in North Africa. Lieutenant Reynaldo Perez Gallardo, who came from a powerful Mexican family, also joined the ranks. Other men volunteered to join the squadron. The Mexican soldiers suffered through discrimination during training. At one point, a restaurant refused to serve them food because they were Mexicans. They also assumed the Americans doubted their capacity.


Fighting the Axis

The U.S. Army assigned the Aztec Eagles to the Fifth Air Force. They boarded the U.S.S. Fairisle and arrived in the Philippines on April 30, 1945. They immediately sprung into action near Vigan, where they were responsible for flushing out the Japanese by executing dangerous dive-bombing runs. The Mexicans succeeded in the mission, amazing Americans who gave them the nickname "White Noses."

On June 1, 1945, they planned to attack an ammunition depot that was surrounded by three high cliffs and anti-aircraft batteries. The Mexicans took the task and planned a dive-bomb maneuver that the Americans called a "suicide." The 201st sent out four pilots-one of whom died at just 22. The unit continued to attack Japanese locations through June. They flew into combat despite the rainy season and attacked Japanese infantry and anti-aircraft guns across the Philippines. Their losses were stacking up.

MacArthur ordered the air forces to attack Formosa, now Taiwan. The remaining Mexicans flew six-hour missions over the open waters to bomb Japanese units in Formosa. Due to the gravity of their missions, the pilots were pried out of their aircraft and helped off the tarmac each day.

In August, the unit took the trip home after the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, forcing the enemy to surrender. They were greeted by confetti, marching bands, and parades. Their contribution helped Mexico receive a seat on the United Nations Security Council. The Mexican military forces were granted federal aid. The CIA also built a covert site in Mexico City. Free trade was then opened between both countries.

The unit is remembered at a monument in Mexico City on February 9 each year. Ten of the brave Mexican soldier are still alive, including Carlos Garduno who turned 100.


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