Frank Luke

Frank Luke Jr. (May 19, 1897 – September 29, 1918) was an American fighter ace credited with 19 aerial victories, ranking him second among United States Army Air Service pilots after Captain Eddie Rickenbacker during World War I. Luke was the first airman to receive the Medal of Honor and first USAAS ace in a day. Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, a United States Air Force pilot training installation since World War II, is named in his honor.

Frank Luke Jr.
Frank Luke Jr.
Nickname(s)"Arizona Balloon Buster"
Born(1897-05-19)May 19, 1897
Phoenix, Arizona Territory
DiedSeptember 29, 1918(1918-09-29) (aged 21)
Murvaux, France
Buried
Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchAir Service, United States Army
Years of service1917–1918
RankSecond Lieutenant (posthumously promoted to First Lieutenant)
Battles/warsWorld War I
  • Meuse-Argonne Offensive  
AwardsMedal of Honor
Distinguished Service Cross (2)
War Merit Cross (Italian)
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.