08. Polish four-cornered cap and the american stars

The emblem, which decorated the sides of the aircraft of the “starry squadron” was designed by Cooper’s colleague – Elliot Chees. There were scythes, a Cracovian hat – a reference to Kosciuszko and his scytheers, and stars from the American banner. This symbol was painted over the years by Polish fighters fighting against Germany during the Battle of Britain. This is an original and independent idea of Americans who knew Polish history well and were well aware of the meaning of the symbols that appeared in the emblem. It should be emphasized that none of them had Polish roots. They were not Poles who were fighting for the freedom of their ancestors’ homeland. They were American boys. In the group of Yankee volunteers, there was a former law student at Harvard, a football star from Lehigh, and a Yale graduate. Cooper was twenty-six, he spoke with a strong southern accent. He was born and raised in a plantation near Natchez in Mississippi.