A little recognized contribution by Hispanics to the war in the Pacific was that made by the 201st Mexican Fighter Squadron the 201st Escuadron de Caza.

On June 11, 1942, Mexico declared war on the Axis powers and made plans for the organization of the 201st Fighter Squadron. A select group of pilots from all walks of life were inducted into the Squadron.

Most had received initial flight training in Mexico or the U.S. They were then sent for orientation flight training at Pocatello Army Air Base, Idaho and trained as a P-47 fighter squadron, with 35 offiicers and 300 enlisted men.

The Squadron finished all phases of its training by early March 1945 with a superior record. The 201st Mexican Fighter Squadron was attached to th 58th Fighter Group (P-47) in the Philippines.  There they began combat operations in June 1945. Considering that the 201st was new to combat, their record compares favorably with that of the
veteran pilots of the 58th Fighter Group.

They participated in bombing missions in Formosa and supported troops fromthe 25th Division with bombing and strafing missions.

From June 1 to July 10, 1945, the 201st:

(1) flew 50 missions and 293 sortie;

(2) dropped 181 tons of bombs;

(3) fired 104,000 rounds of ammunition; and

(4) seven pilots were killed in action.

On Veteran's Day, Carlos Foustinos, a former member of the Squadron,
flies a Mexican flag in his home instead of "Old Glory."

This flag is flown in commemoration of the men of the 201st Mexican Fighter Squadron who fought and died in aerial combat along with Americans in the South Pacific.

Faustinos flew approximetly 25 missions, recording six Japanese zero kills. This feat brought him the distinction of a flying ace and he was awarded the "La Cruz de Honor" (The Cross of Honor), which is equivalent to the U.S. Medal of Honor, by the Mexican government.

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