Lt. Frank Luke Jr. was the Arizona Balloon Buster. He was presented his Medal of Honor posthumously. Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., is named in his honor. (Photo illustration/Virginia Reyes)
Lt. Frank Luke, who ran against Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker for the honor of being called the Ace of Aces for American fliers overseas, poses next to one of three German observation balloons he brought down in 30 minutes in 1918.
"He was the most daring aviator and greatest fighter pilot of the entire war. His life is one of the brightest glories of our Air Service. He went on a rampage and shot down 14 enemy aircraft, including 10 balloons, in eight days. No other Ace ... even the dreaded Richthofen had ever come close to that." Capt. Edward V. "Eddie" Rickenbacker said of Lt. Frank Luke, America's second ranking Ace in World War I. Captain Rickenbacker was the leading Ace.
During World War I in 1918, Lt. Frank Luke brought down three German observation balloons in 35 minutes. Lt. Luke stands by one of the balloons he brought down. (U.S. Army photo)
America's second ranking ace in World War I, Frank Luke embodied the reckless and undisciplined image of a fighter pilot of the time. He went after the toughest targets, heavily defended German Drachen observation balloons. They were protected by a ring of anti-aircraft for planes attacking above the balloon, and then there was a ring of machine guns for low flying aircraft. To attack a balloon was practically suicide. But for whatever reason, these were Luke's voluntary objectives. Some surmised it was because of the easy confirmation as the fireball fell from the sky with a plume of smoke.
One of nine children of German immigrants, Luke was born in May 1897, in Phoenix, Ariz. On Sept. 25, 1917, he enlisted in the Signal Corps' Aviation service as a private first class but soon departed for flight training, first at the University of Texas' School of Military Aeronautics in Austin. Later he attended training at the Signal Corps Aviation School at Rockwell Field in San Diego.
He was discharged so he could receive his wings and accept a commission as a second lieutenant in January 1918. He went to France for additional training at the 3rd Aviation Instruction Center for Aerial Gunnery School in Cazaux. In July 1918, he was assigned as a pilot with the 27th Aero Squadron.
His exploits ranged only a scant 17 days, but in this time, as records reflect, he destroyed 14 German balloons and four aircraft, earning him the title of the "Arizona Balloon Buster." Luke's commander, Maj. H.E. Hartney, said of him, "No one had the sheer contemptuous courage that boy possessed. He was an excellent pilot and probably the best flying marksman on the Western Front. We had any number of expert pilots and there was no short-age of good shots, but the perfect combination, like the perfect specimen of anything in the world, was scarce. Frank Luke was the perfect combination."
On Aug. 16, 1918, Luke engaged in his first aerial combat, shooting down an enemy plane. On Sept. 12, 1918, Luke shot down his first balloon. He earned the reputation of being a "lone fighter," preferring to seek out and destroy the enemy on his own initiative. Thirteen of his victories were obtained in a single week in September, and on two days of that week he did not fly. He finally agreed to partnership, and for awhile teamed with Lt. Joseph Wehner.
During the St. Mihiel offensive in September 1918, the pair destroyed three balloons at Reville, Mangiennes, and Romagne on Sept. 16, and two days later got two more near Labeuville. Somehow, on the latter mission, the pair became separated and Luke shot down three enemy planes.
Luke's big day, and final one, was Sept. 29, 1918. Even though he had been grounded, he obtained permission to go after three balloons near the Meuse. He was severely wounded after the first balloon by German Fokker aircraft patrolling the skies. Rather than returning to base for medical treatment, he continued toward the other targets, destroying them. He was being chased by eight enemy Fokker planes that were protecting the balloons he shot down and he also was under heavy fire from ground batteries. At least 13 people in the village of Murvaux watched his final blaze of glory. He crash landed there, where he drew his pistols instead of surrendering. He was killed in a gun battle with German soldiers.
For three months, nothing was known of Luke, except that he had disappeared. For several months, his grave was marked with a wooden cross that read, "Unknown American Aviator." American military authorities received confirmation of his death after the war was over. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor,
His citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy near Murvaux, France, September 29, 1918. After having previously destroyed a number of enemy aircraft within 17 days he voluntarily started on a patrol after German observation balloons. Though pursued by eight German planes which were protecting the enemy balloon line, he unhesitatingly attacked and shot down in flames three German balloons, being himself under heavy fire from ground batteries and the hostile planes. Severely wounded, he descended to within 50 meters of the ground, and flying at this low altitude near the town of Murvaux opened fire upon enemy troops, killing six and wounding as many more. Forced to make a landing and surrounded on all sides by the enemy, who called upon him to surrender, he drew his automatic pistol and defended himself gallantly until he fell dead from a wound in the chest."
His other decorations include two Distinguished Flying Crosses, Purple Heart, (posthumous), World War I Victory Medal with clasps for St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne and Oise-Aisne Offensives and Defensive Sector and the Italian War Cross (Croce di Guerra).
Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., is named in his honor.
Sources of information: 56th Fighter Wing History Office and military personnel records.
