The School the Aztec Eagles Built
by Dorinda Nicholson (Author)
A photo-illustrated book about the Aztec Eagles, Mexico's World War II Air Force squadron interwoven with the story of Sergeant Angel Bocanegra, whose service was rewarded with the building of a school in his village.
In May 1942, German U-boats torpedoed two unarmed Mexican oil tankers off the Gulf Coast, forcing Mexico to enter World War II. With the help of United States President Roosevelt, Mexican President Camacho arranged to send one Air Force squadron to fight in the war. Thirty-eight of Mexico's top pilots, and about two hundred sixty additional military crew were carefully selected to form the 201st Air Force Squadron, also known as the Aztec Eagles. The squadron was the first unit in history to leave Mexico on a fighting mission.
To mark this historic event, President Camacho asked the men if they had any last minute requests before they went to war. Sergeant Angel Bocanegra, a former teacher and now squadron ground crewmember, stepped forward and made a request. He asked that a school be built in his small village of Tepoztlan.
The School the Aztec Eagles Built tells the exciting story of how a Mexican Air Force squadron and an unknown schoolteacher made their mark in history.
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School Library Journal
Gr 4-6--A tribute to Air Fighter Squadron 201 (the Aztec Eagles) and Sgt. Angel Bocanegra del Castillo, whose actions ensured the building of a school in the village of Tepoztlan, Mexico. The work begins with a quick refresher on relations between the United States and Mexico from 1830 to World War II, leading up to the creation of the Mexican Expeditionary Air Force. Readers follow as the pilots train and eventually join the Pacific theater in the Philippines. Running parallel to this historical narrative is the account of Bocanegra del Castillo and his journey from schoolteacher to military pilot. When the president of Mexico, Avila Camacho, asked the soon-to-deploy Aztec Eagles if they had any requests, Bocanegra del Castillo asked for a proper school to be built in his village of Tepoztlan. By the time the squadron returned to Mexico at the end of World War II, the school had been built and named after the squadron. The importance of the school to this community is strongly emphasized. The text briefly describes the military action in which the squadron was involved. Well-captioned vintage photos appear on every page. VERDICT The intersection of military history, biography, and the power of community is unique. An additional purchase for those looking for a multifaceted work of history.--Eldon Younce, Anthony Public Library, KS
Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.JNF050000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | School & Education
JNF025110 - Juvenile Nonfiction | History | Mexico
20th century
Mexico
World War, 1939-1945
Teachers
Campaigns
Design and construction
Awards
Philippines
School buildings
Aerial operations, American
Aerial operations, Mexican
Luzon
Bocanegra, Angel
Airmen
Tepoztlaan
Tepoztlaan (Mexico)
