Allegiance Mexico Died 2005, Mexico City, Mexico Years of service 1940–1945 Service/branch Mexican Air Force | Other work Commercial pilot Rank Sub-lieutenant Name Miguel Arreola Unit 201st Fighter Squadron | |
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Born January 5, 1921
Ignacio Ramirez, Durango, Mexico ( 1921-01-05 ) Battles/wars World War II
South Pacific Theatre
Battle of Luzon Battles and wars South West Pacific theatre of World War II, Battle of Luzon, World War II | ||
Miguel Moreno Arreola (1921–2005) was a Mexican military pilot. He was born in Durango, Mexico on January 5, 1921 and died in Mexico City on December 1, 2005 following a motor-vehicle accident. He distinguished himself during World War II, flying combat missions with the 201 Squadron based in the Philippines taking missions to Japan.
Career
While still very young, Arreola was inspired to become a pilot after personally becoming acquainted with the famous pilot Francisco Sarabia. He entered the Military Aviation School in Monterrey, graduating as an officer in June 1944. Being recognized as an outstanding pilot, he joined 201 Squadron almost immediately and continued his training in the United States in P-47 Thunderbolt combat aircraft.
Moreno was transferred to the Philippines in March 1945 with the 201 Squadron. Moreno was assigned to a P-47 squadron and flew 25 combat missions over Luzon and far-reaching missions to Formosa. It was Miguel Moreno, who chose the design of Disney's Pancho Pistolas as mascot of the squadron, he also designed the monument in Manila to celebrate the lives of their comrades killed in the Philippines. On November 18, 1945 at a rally in the Plaza de la Constitución in Mexico City, Captain Moreno presented the Battle Flag of the Mexican Expeditionary Air Force to President Manuel Avila Camacho.
After the war, Miguel Moreno Arreola began a 35-year career in the commercial aviation industry. In 1981 he retired as Captain making his final flight in a DC-10 aircraft of Aeronaves de Mexico (now Aeroméxico) with a total of 22,920 flight hours. He then served for many years as an executive member of the Association of Veterans of World War II. Captain Miguel Moreno Arreola also made several presentations to citizen groups and educational institutions on the Squadron 201 performance.