The brightest glory in the sky
Most of Frank Luke’s fellow pilots disliked him. While they
conceded he was not a liar or braggart, his arrogance offended
them.
The brightest glory in the sky
Most of Frank Luke’s fellow pilots disliked him. While they conceded he was not a liar or braggart, his arrogance offended them.
Frank Luke Jr. was born in Phoenix on May 19, 1897. He became a crack shot, developed a tremendous physique by working in the copper mines and often out-boxed fellow miners for cash jackpots.
When the United States entered World War I in 1917, Luke signed up for the Air Service. He earned his wings and became a second lieutenant before being sent to France in 1918. His penchant for glory was apparent, and his commander cautioned him that combat flying meant teamwork.
On an early flight, Luke downed an enemy plane but was denied credit because no one witnessed it. When other pilots joked about his claim, he retorted, “The hell with you. I’m going to get more than anyone.”
His squad’s orders were to destroy as many German observation balloons as it could. Luke and his partner, Joseph Wehner, were so skilled at downing them they were called “The Luke and Wehner Show.” On Sept. 18 Luke shot down two balloons and three planes in 10 minutes of frenzied combat. His elation died when he learned Wehner had been killed.
Luke’s commander ordered him to Paris on leave but Luke returned after six days. He was assigned another partner, who was also killed, and he became disconsolate. He began going up alone, against orders, for combat.
After filing his flight report on Sept. 28, Luke flew to a nearby French airfield and spent the night. He was AWOL and knew he would be arrested upon his return. On Sept. 29 he dropped a message from his plane: “Watch three Hun balloons along Meuse – Luke.”
Soon one of the balloons erupted. Luke was wounded by attacking planes but flew to the next, downed it, and saw the other burst into a fireball before dropping down to strafe German infantrymen.
When he landed he was accosted by a patrol. He pulled his pistol and fired until he was killed. He was awarded the Medal of Honor, and Luke Air Force Base was named for him.
Eddie Rickenbacker, who caught and passed Luke’s record with 26 victories, said of him: “His life is one of the brightest glories of our Air Service…He shot down 14 enemy aircraft, including 10 balloons, in eight days…Not even the dreaded Richtofen had come close to that.”
