Air Aces: 8 [ 5 ]. Its mission was to engage and clear enemy aircraft from the skies and provide escort to reconnaissance and bombardment squadrons over enemy territory. It also attacked enemy observation balloons and performed close air support and tactical bombing attacks of enemy forces along the front lines. The squadron was one of the first American pursuit squadrons to reach the Western Front and see combat, becoming one of the most famous.
The 94th was highly publicized in the American print media of the time, and its exploits "over there" were widely reported on the home front. Three notable air aces served with the squadron. Eddie Rickenbacker was awarded almost every decoration attainable, including the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross. Douglas Campbell was the first American trained pilot to become an flying ace.
He shared the honor of the squadron's first official aerial victory with Alan Winslow. Another squadron member, Raoul Lufbery , attained 17 victories before leaping to his death from a fiery Nieuport 28 aircraft in May The original cadre of men was composed entirely of volunteers recruited from all parts of the United States. With the exception of two men, none had any previous military training.
The men were indoctrinated into military service with drill and other basic training. The squadron entrained at Kelly Field for New York, consisting of men and two officers, arriving on 5 October. At the Concentration Center, the squadron received additional equipment and was further instructed in drills and in military traditions. On 27 October, the squadron boarded RMS Adriatic , and after an uneventful crossing of the Atlantic, the squadron disembarked at Liverpool on 10 November The squadron moved by train to Southampton on the southern coast, reaching it at midnight that same day.
The 94th remained at Le Havre until 18 November when it boarded a troop train and arrived in Paris, France that evening. The squadron was billeted at Reuilly Barracks upon arrival. After a brief rest period, the 94th Aero Squadron was divided up into seven flights, each flight being sent to a separate airplane or engine factory for technical training.
