1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Escuadrón 201 Congressional Gold Medal Act . 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Escuadrón 201, or the 201st Squadron, of the Mexican Expeditionary Air Force fought alongside United States forces in the South Pacific during World War II. (2) Nicknamed the Aztec Eagles, Escuadrón 201 integrated with United States forces including the U.S. 5th Air Force and the 58th Fighter Group to provide close air support for American and Philippine ground forces as well as long range strikes using Republic P–47D Thunderbolt fighter aircraft. (3) Following Mexico’s declaration of war on Japan, Germany, and Italy on May 28, 1942, Mexico entered into agreements with the United States to collaborate through the reciprocal use of airfields and facilities and the training of Mexican personnel by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). (4) With the assistance of USAAF, Mexican Expeditionary Air Force pilots were trained in Guadalajara, Mexico and later moved to USAAF schools in the United States for additional individual and unit training. (5) In July 1944, 36 pilots and 264 support personnel formed Escuadrón 201, Mexico’s first squadron that would be deployed overseas to fight alongside United States forces. (6) In February 1945, Escuadrón 201 and the headquarters of the Mexican Expeditionary Air Force moved to the Philippine Islands and began combat operations with the 58th Fighter Group in Porac, Luzon. (7) Deployed to Okinawa in July 1945, Escuadrón 201 provided close in ground support for the U.S. 25th Tropic Lightning Division and Philippine Army units as well as long-range strikes into Japanese-held territory in Taiwan. (8) Mexico was prepared to send additional squadrons to fight with Allied forces had Japan not offered its unconditional surrender following the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. (9) Seven Escuadrón 201 pilots lost their lives fighting Axis forces. (10) During its 795 combat sorties and 2,000 hours of combat flying, Escuadrón 201 exemplified valor and