Pictorial History of the Flying Tigers

Prior to the United States entry into World War II approximately 15 000 Americans joined flying units already engaged in the war. At the request of Madame Chiang Kaishek a squadron of fighter pilots was recruited by General Claire Lee Chennault in order to throw a small but well-equipped air force into China. With the official designation American Volunteer Group (AVG) but popularly known as The Flying Tigers this celebrated group of pilots has been described as the most colorful group of warriors in modern times and the worlds most illustrious squadron (History Channel). Their outstanding gallantry and conspicuous daring wrote President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942 is a source of tremendous pride throughout the whole of America. This is a visual documentation of that volunteer air force produced from the vast collection of images and memorabilia assembled by Viet Nam veteran Larry Pistole nephew of one of the original Tigers Herbert Pistole.