𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗟 𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗕𝗢𝗥 𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗗𝗘𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝟳, 𝟭𝟵𝟰𝟭, 𝗠𝗘𝗫𝗜𝗖𝗢 𝗝𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗦 𝗨.𝗦. 𝗜𝗡 𝗗𝗘𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗔𝗥 𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗧 𝗝𝗔𝗣𝗔𝗡, 𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗬 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗬

 contributed by Hugh Emerson

Getty Images by Bettmann

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Mexico severed diplomatic ties with the Axis powers. By May 1942, after German U-boats sank several Mexican oil tankers, the country declared war against Japan, Germany, and Italy.

In a bold move to bolster its military capabilities, Mexico negotiated with the United States to train the 201st Fighter Squadron, known as "The Aztec Eagles," in Texas. Arriving in Laredo in July 1944, these 300 Mexican pilots and ground crew underwent a rigorous training regimen at Randolph Field in San Antonio and Foster Field in Victoria.

Asociación Mexicana de Veteranos de la II Guerra Mundial A.C. by Alberto Montilla.

In April 1945, the Aztec Eagles made their way to the Philippines, joining forces with the U.S. 58th Fighter Group of the Fifth Air Force. Over their deployment, they flew an impressive 96 combat missions, successfully attacking Japanese forces.

Mexico's President Manuel Ávila Camacho pushed for the squadron's deployment to the Pacific, partly for his admiration of U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthur, but also because he felt it could help liberate what he termed a people with "a continuity of idiom, history and traditions."

Asociación Mexicana de Veteranos de la II Guerra Mundial A.C. by Alberto Montilla.

In recognition of their valor and contributions during World War II, the THC honored The Aztec Eagles with a historical marker at Victoria Regional Airport in 2007. This marker is a testament to their legacy as the only Mexican military unit to see overseas combat during the war and remains a source of pride for two neighboring nations.

: 1. Getty Images by Bettmann. 2-3. Asociación Mexicana de Veteranos de la II Guerra Mundial A.C. by Alberto Montilla.