An official website of the United States government. Here's how you know. 
Countdown to 
The American Battle Monuments Commission is pleased to share this specially curated collection of items related to the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial Cemetery, the flying corps, and the pilots buried and memorialized at the site. The items featured include those from ABMC’s own collection, provided by the American Battle Monuments Foundation, as well as those on loan from The Dennis Gordon Lafayette Escadrille and Flying Corps Collection, courtesy of Sarah and Ross Perot Jr.
ABMC’s rich collections preserve a large array of historical objects and documents that illustrate key episodes of world conflicts as well as agency history.
Through this collaboration, ABMC’s collections have been enhanced by additional objects that bring complementary perspectives and deepen the story they tell. ABMC’s museum curatorselected and arranged elements from both collections, to create this special exhibition emphasizing both institutions’ work in preserving and highlighting historical heritage. By creating connections between the pieces, this exhibition brings a more comprehensive and intimate look at the Lafayette Escadrille and its pilots.
Through the personal belongings of the pilots, historic photographs and memorabilia, virtual visitors are welcome to discover the compelling story of the Lafayette Escadrille and to explore how the aviators are still commemorated today at the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial Cemetery. Click the links to view individual entries in ABMC’s Online Catalog.
The collection includes:
The uniform and miniature portrait of 2nd Lt. Meredith Dowd
Photographs include 2nd Lt. Meredith Dowd’s uniform and a miniature portrait of him in uniform with a Croix de Guerre pinned to his chest.
1st Lt. James Bayne's belongings
Photographs include an engraved cigarette lighter, damaged in 1st Lt. James Bayne’s crash in 1918; an oval identification tag, damaged in the crash in which Bayne was killed; and Bayne’s French pilot identification card.
Escadrille aviators
Photographs of Cpl. Harry Johnson and other aviators, and a black and white photograph of American officers and aviators from the Escadrille.
Whiskey & Soda
Photographs with Whiskey and Soda, the Lafayette Escadrille mascots.
Sioux war chief insignia painting
Photograph of the Sioux war chief insignia painting from the fuselage of one of the Escadrille’s SPAD VII aircraft, flown by Charles Dolan, an original member of the Lafayette Escadrille.
Cpl. Schuyler Lee's belongings
Photographs of the French pilot wings belonging to Cpl. Schuyler Lee, who was shot down and killed in April 1918, and Lee’s Lafayette Flying Corps pin, depicting an eagle with a star above.
The death and burial of 1st Lt. James Bayne
Photograph of 1st Lt. James Bayne’s gravesite prior to his remains being reinterred at Lafayette Escadrille Memorial, and documents relating to Bayne’s death on May 8, 1918, and his burial in France.
Lafayette Escadrille Memorial booklet
A booklet about the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial
Burial of Cpl. Oliver Chadwick
Photographs relating to the death and burial of Cpl. Oliver Chadwick.
Memorial of Cpl. Schuyler Lee
Red, white, and blue ribbon from the memorial of Cpl. Schuyler Lee during the dedication of the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial.
After viewing items related to the Lafayette Escadrille, click here to take a virtual 360 tour of the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial Cemetery in Marnes-la-Coquette, France.
Read more: 5 things you may not know about Lafayette Escadrille Memorial Cemetery.