williamthaw

The Lafayette Escadrille, American volunteer pilots who flew combat missions for France before the US entered World War I.

Georges Thenault (1887-1948), commander of the Lafayette Escadrille - "the famed branch of the French air force in World War I composed of American volunteer pilots." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_Thenault

On Norman Prince (at right in photo): "Captain Georges Thenault, the Escadrille's commander, credits Norman for conceiving the idea of bringing together his countrymen with some of those of the French Foreign Legion in a squadron of flyers to be initially known as the Escadrille Américaine."
(Wikipedia article puts Prince's date of death as October 15, 1916.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Prince
See notes under , taken in December, 1915 just before the founding of the squadron.

Art Siegel Quite right. Thanks for picking up my error.

A related group photo, with a negative date of 6/26/16.
From Kiffin Yates Rockwell's (1892-1916) page at the Virginia Military Institute site:
"Rockwell was accepted by the Service Aeronautique, began flight training in September 1915 and in April became one of the founding pilots in the squadron initially known as the Escadrille Americaine (later called the Lafayette Escadrille). In May 1916, while on patrol at the front, he became the first American pilot to down an enemy plane. Rockwell subsequently flew dozens of patrols and fought in many air battles, gaining fame for his skill and courage. His final combat took place on September 23, 1916, when his Nieuport was downed by the gunner in a German Albatross observation plane. Rockwell was first buried in the cemetery at Luxeuil-les-Bains, France, where there is still a marker; his remains were later moved to the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial at Marnes-la-Coquette."
www.vmi.edu/archives.aspx?id=12371

artolog: thanks for researching the names and background information on these men. We will update the record.

Pioneer American aviator who fought for the French before the U.S. entered WWI. See notes under:

earlyaviators.com/ethaw.htm
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Thaw_II

This photo was depicted in The Sunday Oregonian, August 13, 1916 with the caption: "Lieutenant William Thaw, of Pittsburg, is one of the American aviators serving in the French army. He has been decorated for bravery and advanced to rank of Lieutenant." oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn83045782/1916-08-13/ed-1/se...

Thanks for this information B-59. We'll add some of it to the record the next time we update.

Elliott Cowdin, Norman Prince, William Thaw were among the American aviators who were part of the Lafayette Escadrille, an all-American squadron for the French air service: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lafayette_Escadrille Thaw: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Thaw_%28aviator%29 Prince (died 1916): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Prince

This is probably taken on their arrival on 12/23/15 in New York aboard the Holland-America liner Rotterdam for a short holiday leave. An account here: select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0B14FE3B5B1773...

Elliott C. Cowdin: ralph.smith.angelfire.com/Flying_Corps/Pilots/ElliottCowd... Art Siegel True, this photo is certainly taken at this occasion, see New-York tribune., December 24, 1915, Page 2 or Omaha daily bee., December 28, 1915, Image 1, with similar photos.

Apparently, the publicity generated by the visit of these 3 American fliers was a major catalyst in forming the Lafayette Escadrille (Escadrille Américaine) and the Lafayette Flying Corps in 1916. Here's an account of Cowdin's life with more information about the importance of the event pictured here:

"In December of 1915 Cowdin and fellow countrymen Norman Prince and William Thaw were granted a month's permission to America. They arrived in New York on 23 December aboard the SS Rotterdam. Their furlough, though intended as "a short rest", furthered the cause for an American squadron when the Government of France realized the interest the three American volunteers had created during their visit to the United States. The pilots became the focus of the eastern press who doggedly pursued them in spite of their reluctance to speak of their duties. Both sides of the European War seized upon the press coverage: the Allied supporters citing the flyers' example in a plea for America's intervention, while German sympathizers condemned their participation as a violation of U.S. neutrality and demanded their internment. Upon their return to France, the three Americans' desire to form an all-American squadron was enhanced as the French Government realized that just such an organization would be useful in galvanizing America's sympathy for their cause."
rdisa.pagesperso-orange.fr/html/Pages/Elliot%20Cowdin%20E...


See also:

Thanks to all of you for your excellent research. We'll straighten out the names in the caption and add some of this information to both records the next time we update.