[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 802 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 802

Commemorating the 71st anniversary of the creation of the ``Special Air 
Unit'' of the 1st American Volunteer Group (AVG), which became known as 
                           the Flying Tigers.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 21, 2012

 Ms. Chu submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                      Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Commemorating the 71st anniversary of the creation of the ``Special Air 
Unit'' of the 1st American Volunteer Group (AVG), which became known as 
                           the Flying Tigers.

Whereas United States Brigadier General Claire Lee Chennault was a retired Army 
        Air Corps Captain who worked as military aviation advisor for the 
        Chinese Government in the early months of the Second Sino-Japanese War 
        and then as director of a Chinese Air Force flight school centered in 
        Kunming, China;
Whereas General Chennault created the ``Special Air Unit'' of the 1st American 
        Volunteer Group (AVG), which became known as the Flying Tigers, with the 
        approval of President Franklin D. Roosevelt to assist Chinese air forces 
        against the Japanese;
Whereas many of the Flying Tigers were members of the United States Armed Forces 
        who volunteered for the 1st American Volunteer Group, vacating previous 
        armed forces assignments, to assist allied forces in China;
Whereas, just 12 days after the devastating bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the 
        Flying Tigers recorded 6 enemy planes shot down, which was the first 
        successful American air strike against the Japanese at the Defense of 
        Rangoon and Kunming;
Whereas, during 1941 and 1942, the Flying Tigers were officially credited with 
        297 enemy aircraft destroyed, including 229 destroyed in aerial combat, 
        a kill-ratio that was superior to that of contemporary Allied air groups 
        in Malaya, the Philippines, and elsewhere in the Pacific Theater;
Whereas the early successes of the Flying Tigers provided a significant morale 
        boost to members of the United States Armed Forces serving in the 
        Pacific Theater and to the American public;
Whereas the 1st American Volunteer Group was disbanded on July 4, 1942, and the 
        China Air Task Force of the United States Army Air Forces, commanded by 
        General Chennault, officially took over air operations in China;
Whereas, in March 1943, the 14th Air Force, which included a strong contingent 
        of Chinese Americans, replaced the China Air Task Force and also became 
        known as the Flying Tigers; and
Whereas the efforts of the Flying Tigers contributed to the success of the China 
        Defensive Campaign of World War II, and the Flying Tigers served as a 
        powerful symbol of America's determination and commitment to defend its 
        ally China during the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) commemorates the 71st Anniversary of the creation of 
        the Flying Tigers and the start of their combat operations in 
        China during World War II;
            (2) commends the pilots and other members of the Flying 
        Tigers who served as representatives of the American ideals of 
        liberty, freedom, and friendship on Chinese soil; and
            (3) recognizes the Flying Tigers for their inspiring 
        contributions to the defense of China and the United States 
        during World War II.
                                 <all>