Frank Luke, Jr.-Lorraine, France
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 49° 19.962 E 005° 05.754
31U E 652270 N 5466554
World War I Medal of Honor Recipient for action as an Air Mission near Murvaux, France on September 29, 1918. He was killed in action. He is buried in Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, Department de la Meuse, Lorraine, France in Section A, Row 26, Site 13.
Waymark Code: WMXC42
Location: Grand-Est, France
Date Posted: 12/24/2017
Views: 2
He was born on May 19, 1897 in Phoenix, AZ and died on September 29, 1918 in Murvaux, Department de la Meuse, Lorraine, France. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: *LUKE, FRANK, JR.
• Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 27th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, Air Service
• Place and date: Near Murvaux, France, 29 September 1918 (Air Mission)
• Entered service at: Phoenix, Ariz.
• G.O. No.: 59, W.D., 1919
Citation: 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 8 German planes which were protecting the enemy balloon line, he unhesitatingly attacked and shot down in flames 3 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 6 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.
Armed Service: Air Force
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