American Volunteer Group "Flying Tigers". (USA/China)

This page is dedicated to Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, an original Flying Tiger who was dishonourably discharged from that unit, not for failure to fight but for fighting with Chennault as well as the Japs, and who later, as a USMC Major went on to lead the "Black Sheep" a famous squadron of Corsair jockeys operating from Espiritu Santo. He was awarded the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross.

Captain, AVG "Flying Tigers" in leather flight jacket

The American Volunteer Group, or AVG, was a force of American military pilots who were recruited by then-retired Captain (Major?) Claire Chennault to fight for China against the Japanese in the period before Pearl Harbor and America's official entry into the war.

The "Flying Tigers," as the Chinese affectionately dubbed them, were technically mercenaries, but actually both their services and the aircraft they flew were secret gifts to China from the U.S.

This AVG pilot wears a Chinese-issue clone of the U.S. military's G-1 leather flying jacket, with knitted wool cuffs and fur collar.

A decal of the Walt Disney designed Flying Tigers Group emblem is above his right pocket, with a painted leather patch bearing one version of the emblem of the 1st Pursuit Squadron (the Adam & Eves) above the left. The emblem on his left shoulder is the China-Burma-India theater emblem, worn by those who participated in the defense of these areas against Japanese aggression.

This pilot is a member of the First Pursuit Squadron he probably flies a Curtiss P-40 "Warhawk" fighter with the Flying Tigers' famous shark-teeth design painted on its nose. On the ground these were guarded by Chinese troops.

When he flew he would wear his silk aviators scarf which has the Flying Tigers emblem hand embroidered on it. The tradition of wearing silk scarves by military aviators is no mere foppish affectation. Its original intent was to ensure against any chafing of the neck which might cause a pilot, even unconsciously, to reduce the degree or frequency with which he turns his head in scanning for enemies. It has been well documented from the beginning of aerial dog-fighting that he who sees his opponent first, usually wins.

On the back of his jacket is a "blood chit". This was important to downed AVG pilots. It was a large sewn-on patch showing the Chinese Nationalist flag along with a notice in Chinese that the pilot was a friend of China, and promising a reward to anyone who helped him return to his base.

The two badges on his Chinese Air Force-issue cloth cap are the Nationalist Chinese sun-disk emblem and the CAF "peacock" badge for headquarters personnel, which indicates that this officer is involved in Squadron operations as well as flying fighter sorties.

Captain AVG "Flying Tigers"

wearing Chinese Air Force insignia

Although never officially inducted into the Chinese Air Force, the Flying Tigers wore CAF buttons and insignia on their uniforms. Some added these to uniforms from their previous military service, and others wore uniforms privately purchased from local sources.

Perhaps the most popular of these were custom-tailored in India, of pinkish-beige tropical twill similar to that of U.S. Army service dress.

This AVG member's "crusher" style visor cap bears a gold-bullion CAF emblem which matches the gold-embroidered CAF pilot's wings above his left pocket.

Many AVG members wore the cast-metal version of the wings and/or the hat-badge. Also frequently worn were the CAF winged-prop branch of service insignia shown here on collar and epaulets.

The China-Burma-India (CBI) patch actually came into use after the Tigers were officially inducted into the CATF but he wore it during the changeover time.

Rarely, rank insignia were also worn. This Tiger wears the three gold bars of a CAF Captain on his shoulders. In early 1942 enameled badges bearing the Flying Tigers' Group insignia were distributed, and these were pinned above the right breast pocket.

His only decoration is the ribbon of the Chinese Order of Cloud and Banner, 4th Class, given in appreciation for his efforts in defence of China against the Japanese and indicating more than nine enemy aircraft shot down.

"The Flying Tigers" became so famous that John Wayne starred in a movie about them and Coca Cola used them in wartime advertising.

When the USA entered the war the AVG ceased to exist and became the China Air Task Force (CATF) as part of 10th Air Force, USAAF. This group also flew transports "over the hump" of the Himalayas to supply Chinese forces whose supply lines had been cut by Japanese occupying the Burma Road, an incredibly torturous 2 lane road over the mountains. They also flew bombers and ranged all over China to attack Jap assets.

23rd Fighter Group was the new name for the Flying Tigers and the 3 Squadrons became the 74th, 75th & 76th Fighter Squadrons, USAAF. They adopted a new emblem, based on their old one, worn as a stitched leather patch on the flight jacket and an embroidered cloth one on other uniforms.

On March 19, 1943 the CATF was disbanded and renamed the Fourteenth Air Force, with Chennault, now a Major General, still in command. As a mark of respect to the origins of the unit the 14th Air Force still proudly uses an emblem that bears a Flying Tiger.

Webmasters note. The 3 Fighter Squadrons of the AVG never had more than 55 combat aircraft capable of flight and never had more than 70 trained pilots at any time in their 7 months of service. The AVG lost only 8 pilots while being paid bonuses for 286 Japanese aircraft shot down and officially confirmed as "kills". Many other Japanese "probables" littered the jungle floor but lacked the needed confirmation. Twenty-nine Tigers became AVG aces, led by R H Neale with 16 kills. Thirty-three were awarded the Chinese Order of the Cloud and Banner for bravery and combat achievement.

1st Pursuit Sqn called themselves the "Adam & Eves", 2nd Pursuit Sqn were nicknamed the "Panda Bears" and 3rd Pursuit Sqn was called the "Hell's Angels".

Those pilots with 1- 4 air victories received the 6th or 7th Order of the Cloud and Banner; those pilots with 5 - 8 air victories received the 5th Order of the Cloud and Banner; and those pilots with 9 or more air victories received the 4th Order of the Cloud and Banner. Squadron Leaders received the 5th Order or higher medals depending upon the number of their air victories.

A highly stylized Chinese propaganda poster depicts an American aviator trampling over the body of a Japanese Army officer. The poster was published in late 1943 as a patriotic New Years greeting for the coming new year. Among the printed text that appears at the bottom of the image, is the statement: This is an American pilot, he is driving the invaders out of China, help him.