20 April 1916: The Lafayette Escadrille deploys to Luxeuil-les-Bains, France, near the Swiss border with five French and seven American pilots commanded by
Capt. Georges Thénault. The unit eventually had 38 American pilots on its rolls, including a French-born American citizen named Raoul Lufbery, who became the unit's first--and highest scoring--ace with 16 victories.

For details, see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lafayette_Escadrille

ILLUSTRATIONS: (1) Raoul Lufbery leads a trio of Lafayette Escadrille Nieuport 17s over the front at sunset. (2) Victor Chapman is killed while flying with the Lafayette Escadrille over Verdun on 17 June 1916. (3) Lt. William Thaw shows Capt. Thénault the emblem chosen for the Lafayette Escadrille being painted on the side of a Nieuport 17. (4) Lafayette Escadrille Nieuport 17s prepare for a dawn takeoff as "Whiskey" and "Soda," their lion cub mascots, wander by. (5) Raoul Lufbery scores while flying a Nieuport 11. (6) Lufbery becomes America's first ace near Verdun flying a Nieuport 17 on 12 Oct. 1916. (7) Sgt. Edward Hinkle prepares to follow his wingman in his Nieuport 17 in 1917. (8) Lt. William Thaw scores his fourth victory, a Rumpler CII, with his Lafayette Escadrille SPAD XIII in late 1917.