Winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor, America's second ranking ace in World War One, Frank Luke epitomized the reckless, undisciplined, loner image of a fighter pilot. He went after the toughest targets, heavily defended German observation balloons.
In seventeen days in September, 1918, in just nine days of combat flying, ten missions, and only thirty hours of flight time, he knocked down fourteen enemy balloons and four aircraft (seven planes according to some sources). A remarkable record.
More than any other, Luke's final flight is shrouded in confusion and disagreement. It is reasonably certain that he attacked the three balloons over the Meuse and was engaged by the Fokkers covering it. He burned the three drachen; American Balloon Headquarters confirmed those victories. According to the residents of Murvaux, he also shot down two of the German fighters. (These victories are not included in his confirmed total of 18.) He crash-landed near Murvaux and was killed in a gun battle with German soldiers.
For three months, nothing was known of Luke, except that he had disappeared. Not until January 3, 1919, when the following letter was written, did the American military authorities have definite word of his death:
FROM: Graves Registration Officer, Neufchateau Area No. 1.
To: Chief of Air Service, A. P. O. [American Post Office] 717.
SUBJECT: Grave, unknown American aviator.
1. Units of this service have located the grave of an unknown aviator killed on Sunday, September 29, 1918, in the village of Murvaux.
2. From the inspection of the grave and interview held with the inhabitants of this town, the following information was learned in regard to this aviator and his heroism. He is reported as having light hair, young, of medium height, and of heavy stature.
3. Reported by the inhabitants that previous to being killed this man had brought down three German balloons, two German planes, and dropped hand bombs, killing eleven German, soldiers and wounding a number of others.
4. He was wounded himself in the shoulder and evidently had to make a forced landing. Upon landing he opened fire with his automatic and fought until he was killed.
5. It is also reported that the Germans took his shoes, leggings, and money, leaving his grave unmarked.
CHESTER E. STATEN,
Captain of Infantry,
G. R. S. Officer.
Source - internet
