[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 113 (Thursday, July 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1490]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING FLYING TIGERS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACK KINGSTON

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 29, 2010

  Mr. KINGSTON. Madam Speaker, celebrating the 69th anniversary of the 
first combat action of the American Volunteer Group, AVG, and to 
recognize the contribution of the AVG and the 23rd Fighter Group 
``Flying Tigers'' to America's victory 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 over Yunnan Province in China on December 20th, 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 and despite those challenges ultimately destroyed 299 
enemy aircraft and 153 probably destroyed, losing only 12 aircraft in 
combat;
  Whereas the American Volunteer Group Flying Tigers were disbanded and 
the 23rd Fighter Group Flying Tigers were activated in their stead on 
July 4th, 1942;
  Whereas the 23rd Fighter Group while facing similar challenges in the 
Chinese theater, nonetheless destroyed 621 enemy aircraft finishing as 
the third highest scoring Army Air Force's Fighter Group of World War 
II;
  Whereas the current day 23rd Fighter Group and 23rd Wing continues 
the proud combat tradition of the American Volunteer Group seeing 
combat action in Vietnam, Desert Storm, Operation Allied Force, 
Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom;
  Resolved, that the United States Congress congratulates the Flying 
Tigers of the American Volunteer Group and the 23rd Fighter Group for 
their contribution to our nation's defense and celebrates the 69th 
anniversary of the first combat action by the Flying Tigers.

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