IV 
112TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 802 
Commemorating the 71st anniversary of the creation of the ‘‘Special Air 
Unit’’ of the 1st American Volunteer Group (AVG), which became known 
as the Flying Tigers. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 21, 2012 
Ms. CHU submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Armed Services 
RESOLUTION 
Commemorating the 71st anniversary of the creation of the 
‘‘Special Air Unit’’ of the 1st American Volunteer Group 
(AVG), which became known as the Flying Tigers. 
Whereas United States Brigadier General Claire Lee Chen-
nault was a retired Army Air Corps Captain who worked 
as military aviation advisor for the Chinese Government 
in the early months of the Second Sino-Japanese War 
and then as director of a Chinese Air Force flight school 
centered in Kunming, China; 
Whereas General Chennault created the ‘‘Special Air Unit’’ 
of the 1st American Volunteer Group (AVG), which be-
came known as the Flying Tigers, with the approval of 
President Franklin D. Roosevelt to assist Chinese air 
forces against the Japanese; 
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•HRES 802 IH 
Whereas many of the Flying Tigers were members of the 
United States Armed Forces who volunteered for the 1st 
American Volunteer Group, vacating previous armed 
forces assignments, to assist allied forces in China; 
Whereas, just 12 days after the devastating bombing of Pearl 
Harbor, Hawaii, the Flying Tigers recorded 6 enemy 
planes shot down, which was the first successful Amer-
ican air strike against the Japanese at the Defense of 
Rangoon and Kunming; 
Whereas, during 1941 and 1942, the Flying Tigers were offi-
cially credited with 297 enemy aircraft destroyed, includ-
ing 229 destroyed in aerial combat, a kill-ratio that was 
superior to that of contemporary Allied air groups in Ma-
laya, the Philippines, and elsewhere in the Pacific The-
ater; 
Whereas the early successes of the Flying Tigers provided a 
significant morale boost to members of the United States 
Armed Forces serving in the Pacific Theater and to the 
American public; 
Whereas the 1st American Volunteer Group was disbanded 
on July 4, 1942, and the China Air Task Force of the 
United States Army Air Forces, commanded by General 
Chennault, officially took over air operations in China; 
Whereas, in March 1943, the 14th Air Force, which included 
a strong contingent of Chinese Americans, replaced the 
China Air Task Force and also became known as the 
Flying Tigers; and 
Whereas the efforts of the Flying Tigers contributed to the 
success of the China Defensive Campaign of World War 
II, and the Flying Tigers served as a powerful symbol of 
America’s determination and commitment to defend its 
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•HRES 802 IH 
ally China during the Second Sino-Japanese War and 
World War II: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) commemorates the 71st Anniversary of the 
creation of the Flying Tigers and the start of their 
combat operations in China during World War II; 
(2) commends the pilots and other members of 
the Flying Tigers who served as representatives of 
the American ideals of liberty, freedom, and friend-
ship on Chinese soil; and 
(3) recognizes the Flying Tigers for their in-
spiring contributions to the defense of China and the 
United States during World War II. 
Æ 
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