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How Frank Luke, Jr., Soared A way on His Last Trip Over the Hun Front Lines Near VerdunBringing the Iasi word ooumlng the disappearance of Frank Luk»-. jr . the marvelous Phoenix airman, the best known of American aces, a letter from his* commanding officer. Copt. Alfred A. Gram of the air service. commanding the 2ih aero squadron In Prance, was received yesterday by Frank Luke, the father.The letter was written ten days after urged by Captain Gram not La worry, as they are practically certain the airman is a prisoner in the hands of the Germans, and that he w ill get exceptionally good treatment a* he was the ‘ best known American avia-tor The letter Is as follows:“Mr. and Mrs. Frank Luke. 2200 West Monroe street. Phoenix, Arix.“My Dear Friends.“I know you are anxiously awaiting definite news regarding your son Frank, who will have been reported ‘missing In action* by the war department ere this reaches you.It is now ten days since we last bow him. hence he is carried as missing. None of us are over depressed, for we feel, and trust you will feel with u«*. that he Is a prisoner, yet well and alive.“I can do no better than to write as folly as censorship will permit in order that you get the picture of conditions. On September 12, Frank went out with a patrol, hut due to clouds, be became separated from the others. Finding himself over an enemy balloon he at once attacked it and brought it down in flames. He then landed near our balloon lines and brought home a confirmation of his work This was his beginning and his first official victory- He was very happy, as were we all, for only those who have gone after balloons realize how hfcrd it 1b to combat them.After his first victory I gave him a new plane with especial equipment. He and Lieut. Joseph Wehner were great friends and worked together ior their results.“FVom this time till the 29th. when he went missing hla record is one whirlwind of achievement. \\ thought he was going too fast so we sent him on a four days* leave. He came back rested and with added enthusiasm for work.“On one occasion he. with Wehner. went out at dusk to attack some balloons previously identified Lieutenant Wehner on this occasion protected from above. while Frank attacked. Just as the show started a formation of Huns attacked them, but Wehner fought the group and Luke continued his attack until three balloon* were burned, he then turned and shot down one of the attackers He was starting home alone and saw our anti-air craft guns shooting at a plaue on our side of the JInes. He flew to It. attacked end sent it to the ground Fire confirmed victories in the space of .in or 41* minutes. This has seldom or never be**n equalled The ‘crns.-’ which you will find in his trunk fa taken from this last plane.“On the 27th of September he went out in the evening and spotted several balloon locations. He did not return that night, but staved at our ad-\ance*outpoHt up near th«* lines. The erewa there went over his plane and filled up gas and oil.He stayed with our boys there the, next Di$bl, 28th. On the 29th he got , a plane. Then in the evening, same I . day. he went out about 5 o'clock. lleL did not want any protection or help;| a few minute* later h** passed over i our balloon* and dropped a note ask-|s jlng them to observe for banting bal-ia Ioodk. Tlt;*n raimues Inter two were * Ajobserved to go up in flames A* this (time it was too dnrk to nee. hence iiir observers could not fell what happened. We have had no word since J ^ then or have we located any plane u parts. He was in the* general vlcla- J nSty north of Verdun.“We know thut no German planeswen* flying at sucli late time, hence•we have mry reason to believe that in his dives and acrobacy ids engine foiled and he was taken prisoner. This. oft«v?i happens under such conditions for we have heard from them.Do not worry over his treatment | for Luke is undoubtedly the best ; known American aviator. The Germans know his record as well as ourselves. Hi* career wan meteoric, 'or he was easily the most wonderful pilot we have seen. The ease and grace with which he flew waa remarkable, j Imbued with the enthusiasm of his age. he made an Ideal pilot.“It is truly a great loss to »b^ air hi ! service that he Is lost, to av nothing a ‘of the personal loss which all of us h; j feel. Every off leer and man sym-1 g jpathixeg deeply with you. even though a we think h.m to be now in n prison lt;c ampVlt;mr cable lo him arrived too l.«te|n I on October 1. All his mail Is belnc returned as we will not know tor sev- v ernl months his location. aThe International Red Cross at I Geneva. Switzerland, will notify you | direct of all news they obtain. H i sometime* requires several months to *get this Informtition, Just recently we have heard from boys missing since July, so 1 trust you will try to * wait patiently. I do uot write ylt;mt«optimistically in order to build false Inhopes in your hearts, but to assure tI and comfort if possible, during the I time we ilo not hear from him.I “I have jus; received notification ; from the chief that his promotion to j Ik* a first lieutenant ha* been approved and forwarded. Also you will receive his Distinguished Service Cross, which boa been recommended and sure to come through.I cannot tell you more except to say that your son Is the premier air-1 man of the Americau air service, lie I ha* made his record through study, enthusiasm and a remarkable keen-1 nes* and ability to think rapidly. We fc ail honor him and yon are justly ° proud in feeling happy in his record, i *' He has not only brought distinction.a upon himself and yourselves, but upon R his squadron, his uniform and the eu-1l tire allied cause. “I shall cable you all. permissible, jv ‘ information we may l* able to obtain jL[ and believe me in saying that we are}** using every available mean-* to **;• cure ItAccept the sympathy, honor and respect of hi* brother officers, the enlisted nit*n of this squadron and the j V entire air service. Most sincere! v, mALFRED A GRANT. n\ Captain Air Service dt “Commanding 27th Aero Squadron. d£ American Expeditionary Forces, — France. } ycOctober 9. 1918. . sc ____ lit
Newspaper Details
Bisbee Daily Review
Bisbee, Arizona, US
Sun, Nov 17, 1918
Page 12
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 19 Jan 2022
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