Lt.Col. William Thaw, a World War I flying ace who flew with the Lafayette Escadrille, was responsible for the acquisition of the squadron's mascots, lion cubs Whiskey and Soda. The mascots were popular with the men of the Escadrille, and were afforded a great deal of freedom to roam as they pleased.
USAF
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/photos/index.asp">National Museum of the U.S. Air Force</a> photo <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/2014%5C10%5C141006-F-DW547-002.jpg">141006-F-DW547-002</a>