IV 111th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1594 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 30, 2010 Mr. Kingston submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services RESOLUTION Celebrating the 69th anniversary of the first combat action of the American Volunteer Group and recognizing the contribution of the American Volunteer Group and the 23rd Fighter Group known as the Flying Tigers to the victory of the United States in World War II.

Whereas the American Volunteer Group was formed by Lieutenant General Claire Chennault for the defense of China; Whereas the American Volunteer Group was affectionately known as the Flying Tigers; Whereas the American Volunteer Group Flying Tigers saw their first combat operation over Yunnan Province in China on December 20, 1941, shooting down nine enemy bombers; Whereas the American Volunteer Group Flying Tigers faced a numerically superior enemy force, long logistics supply lines, and poor infrastructure, but despite those challenges ultimately destroyed 299 enemy aircraft and probably destroyed an additional 153 enemy aircraft, losing only 12 aircraft in combat; Whereas, on July 4, 1942, the American Volunteer Group Flying Tigers were disbanded, and the 23rd Fighter Group Flying Tigers were activated in their stead; Whereas the 23rd Fighter Group faced challenges in the Chinese theater similar to those faced by the American Volunteer Group but nonetheless destroyed 621 enemy aircraft and by the end of the war had become the third highest scoring Army Air Force Fighter Group of World War II; and Whereas the 23rd Fighter Group and the 23rd Wing have continued the proud combat tradition of the American Volunteer Group, seeing combat action in Vietnam, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Allied Force, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)congratulates the American Volunteer Group, known as the Flying Tigers, and the 23rd Fighter Group for their contributions to the Nation’s defense; and (2)celebrates the 69th anniversary of the first combat action of the Flying Tigers.