1⁄1Frank Luke's SPAD XIII
1
Comment
Lt. Luke was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. His citation reads:
This replica of "The Arizona Balloon Buster" hangs in a terminal at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport.
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.
This replica of "The Arizona Balloon Buster" hangs in a terminal at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport.
Comments
The subject of Frank Luke's last stand has been raised to a new level with the book "The Stand".
Book Review here.
Courage underfire.
JUL 13, 2012 - 04:08 PM
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