Edwin C. Parsons

first published in 1937 as The Great Adventure and updated and re-issued under the new title in 1963, is the classic account of young aviators fighting for France in World War I. The book details the pilot's personalities and backgrounds, their training and aircraft, and their harrowing (and too often fatal), combat exploits against the Germans. Author Edwin Parsons would continue to serve his country, retiring as a Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy. Parsons passed away in 1968 at age 75 – the last surviving member of the Lafayette Escadrille. Included are 64 pages of illustrations.
A small group of men joined the French Foreign Legion, and from there formed a group called American Escadrille. The name was not well received since the United States was at that time neutral. Hence the name was changed to Lafayette Escadrille.
"... the most genuine account of the lives and adventures of" the pioneer American fighter pilots who flew in the Escadrille Lafayette between May 1916 and February 1918, when, under the aegis of the U.S. Army Air Service, it became the 103rd Aero Squadron.
Edwin Parsons was not only a flying ace of The Great War, he was also a phenomenal writer. His memoir tells the story of a group of American pilots who sought to aid France in the war effort prior to the United States involvement.… (mais)