Eagle Squadrons Memorial

The Eagle Squadrons Memorial commemorates a unique group of American volunteers who fought for the Royal Air Force during the early years of the Second World War. Before the United States officially entered the conflict in December nineteen forty one, these pilots defied American law to cross the border into Canada and travel to Britain. They joined the fight while their home country remained neutral, risking their citizenship for a cause they believed was urgent. The memorial features a striking bronze sculpture of an American bald eagle by the artist Dame Elisabeth Frink. It rests atop a fifteen foot tall pillar of pale Portland stone. The monument lists the names of two hundred and eighty nine pilots who served in the three specific Eagle Squadrons. Seventy one of these men lost their lives during their service. The three units were officially designated as seventy one, one hundred and twenty one, and one hundred and thirty three squadrons. Each face of the memorial is engraved with the individual crest and motto for one of these groups. The seventy first squadron used the motto First From the Eyries, while the others adopted themes of liberty and battle. These squadrons flew Hawker Hurricanes and later Supermarine Spitfires in dangerous missions over occupied Europe. In September nineteen forty two, these squadrons were transferred to the United States Army Air Forces. They became the core of the fourth fighter group, bringing their hard won combat experience to the newly arriving American forces. Former Eagle Squadron members were granted the rare privilege of wearing their original Royal Air Force pilot wings on their new American uniforms. The memorial was officially unveiled by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in nineteen eighty six, standing as a permanent record of their early commitment to the war.