Mexican Air Force - Pilot
Click on the images to see a larger version and the back of the wing/badge
The Mexican Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Mexicana) was founded in 1915 as the Arma de Aviacion Militar (Military Aviation Arm). The Mexican government built up the FAM pilots and equipment leading up to WWII to quell a number of significant rebellions. Mexico officially declared war against the Axis in May of 1942 in response to Mexican ships being sunk by U-Boats.

The most famous military contribution of the FAM was sending a fighter squadron equipped with P-47s to the Philippines to fight Imperial Japanese forces. This expeditionary force (FAEM) of the Escuadron Aereo de Pelea 201 also nicknamed "Aztec Eagles" consisted of 30 US-trained pilots and 270 ground crewman. They flew over 90 combat missions.

The FAM qualification badges during WWII have a reminiscent US style, and were worn starting in the 1930s and into the war. Pictures of pilots show them wearing these wings until the mid-1940s when the style was changed to a more Aztec design.

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FAEM (Fuerza Aerea Expedicionaria Mexicana), the aviation group known as Esquadron 201
Screw back
Tod Rathbone Collection
4/18/2020
Hand-chased silver
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Tod Rathbone Collection
4/18/2020
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Tod Rathbone Collection
4/18/2020
This is an Aztec style wing
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John Conway Collection
1/17/2011
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Aviation Wings and Badges of the World Wars