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Early Training and Wartime Service (1937-1945) Significance and Artifacts

Garduño's military career began with his enrollment at Mexico's Colegio Militar in 1937, where he graduated as an infantry officer in 1940. His transition to aviation came through the U.S. Army Air Forces training program at Randolph Field, Texas, in 1942. This training pipeline was established through the bilateral agreements that created the Mexican Expeditionary Air Force.

As commander of Escuadrilla B in Escuadrón 201, Garduño led missions in the Philippines campaign from June 1945 until Japan's surrender.

• The collection includes previously unpublished personal photographs showing squadron personnel and aircraft in operational conditions at Porac Airfield, Luzon. These images provide rare documentation of the unit's combat deployment, including maintenance operations and living conditions.

• AAF School Randolph Field, Texas graduation "Squadron E Flight B Section 1 and 2 Class 42G" photograph, bearing original signatures of class members.

• Original transcript from NBC "Army Hour" April 12, 1942  Randolph Field, TX which Garduño was a participant. 

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Postwar Artifacts and Historical Significance

Among the most historically significant artifacts is the theater-made FAM shoulder patch. Analysis of the patch confirms several identifying characteristics:

• Philippine origin (1945-1947), evidenced by:

• Distinctive bullion wire embroidery technique matching known Filipino craftsmanship

• Construction methods identical to U.S. theater-made insignia of the period

• Continued service use, demonstrated by:

• Photographic evidence of Garduño wearing the patch through the 1950s

• Physical attachment to his service jacket

• Cold War Era and Diplomatic Service

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The collection documents Garduño's postwar career through multiple artifacts:

• Official commemorative items:

• 45th Anniversary FAM patch

• 45th Anniversary 5 de Mayo Aviation School patch

• Colegio de Defensa Nacional medallion in presentation case

• Documentary evidence:1952 Club Aéreo de México membership card

• Photographs with senior U.S. military officials (1960s)

• The 1964 plaque presented by General Mark E. Bradley Jr., commander of the U.S. Air Force Logistics Command, provides material evidence of continued U.S.-Mexico military relations during the Cold War. This artifact specifically commemorates the 154th anniversary of Mexican independence, suggesting its presentation occurred during formal bilateral observances.

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Later Recognition and Historical Importance

The August 4, 1989 White House photograph with President George H.W. Bush represents the first documented instance of a U.S. president formally recognizing an Escuadrón 201 veteran. This event occurred during the early phase of NAFTA negotiations, potentially reflecting broader diplomatic objectives.

Conclusion: Historical Value of the Collection

This archive provides researchers with:

• Primary visual documentation of Escuadrón 201's combat operations

• Material evidence of U.S.-Mexico military cooperation

• Artifacts demonstrating the postwar institutionalization of Mexico's WWII aviation legacy

• Documentation of Cold War-era military diplomacy

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The artifacts have been preserved with provenance tracing directly to Garduño's family, ensuring their authenticity as historical sources. The collection merits particular attention from researchers examining:

• Latin American participation in WWII

• Theater-made insignia production

• U.S.-Mexico bilateral military relations

• The material culture of military aviation history

• This factual account provides the framework for further scholarly analysis of these historically significant materials.

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subject 201st Garduño