It was necessary to swear the boys into the service of the United
States, even though they were natives of it; since, on entering the
Lafayette Escadrille, they had been obliged to swear allegiance to
France. But this was a matter of routine where the Allies were
concerned, and soon Tom and Jack were back again where they longed
to be--enrolled among the distinctive fighters of their own country.
They were assigned to barracks, and found themselves among some
other airmen, many of whom were student fliers from the various
aviation camps of the United States. Few of these youths had had
much practice, though some had been to the Canadian schools. And
none of them had, as yet, fought an enemy in the air.
To aid and instruct them, however, were such fighters as Tom and
Jack, and some even more experienced from the French, Italian and
British camps, who had been detailed to help out the United States
in the emergency.
The next few weeks was an instruction and reconstruction period,
with Tom and Jack often filling the roles of teachers. They found
their pupils apt, eager and willing, however, and among them they
discovered some excellent material. As the commanding officer of
the new American air forces had said, the planes used were all of
English or French make. It was too early in the war for America to
have sent any over equipped with the Liberty motor, though
production was under way.
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