American pilots of the Battle of Britain

At the outbreak of the Second World War, the United States of America was a neutral country, sympathetic to the plight of Europe but not directly involved. Within its borders however, were trained fighter pilots whose consciences could not let them stand back and see the might of the German Third Reich advance across Europe unhindered. While some of these pilots waited for the United States to become officially involved in the war, some felt the pull of their consciences too strongly to wait, and subsequently left the shores of North America to join the ranks of the British Royal Air Force. The sacrifice of these few men went beyond the potential and real expectancy of losing their lives - to join the RAF as citizens of a neutral country was not possible - they therefore had to renounce their US citizenship to enable them to fight alongside their comrades in arms. Some of this gallant band survived the ferocity of the Battle of Britain and saw the start of the eventual deployment of American 'Eagle Squadrons' in England. Others did not, but their lives remain a testimony to the power of the conscience in brave men.