In Honor of the 80th Anniversary of the Flying Tigers

Floor Speech

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Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, today I wish to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Flying Tigers. Originally named the American Volunteer Group (AVG), the Flying Tigers were a group of American aviators who were recruited by China during World War II to fight Japanese forces in China and Burma from 1941 to 1942. The 100-member company assisted in the transport of vital supplies, provided air cover for the Burma Road, helped protect China's capital region, and opposed Japan's invasion of China. The unit is credited with 297 enemy aircraft destroyed despite a lack of medical support and maintenance crew. Over the course of the unit's service, 14 dedicated crew were killed, captured, or deemed missing in combat.

The Flying Tigers were led by Retired U.S. Army Captain, Claire Lee Chennault, whose training enabled the utilization of high-speed diving and climbing techniques to exploit the weaknesses of the larger Japanese aircraft. The unit was lauded for their ability to inflict damage on Japan's superior force despite the significant disadvantages they held. The success achieved by the Flying Tigers on the battlefield was a morale boost for the Chinese and American allies at a time when the war appeared to be going in Japan's favor.

Madam Speaker, I honor the bravery of the Flying Tigers, and I celebrate the efforts of the Asian Pacific Public Affairs Association and the Sino-American Heritage Foundation to memorialize the Flying Tigers' legacy.

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