Frank Luke Jr. | |
|---|---|
 Frank Luke Jr. | |
| Nickname(s) | "Arizona Balloon Buster" |
| Born | May 19, 1897 Phoenix, Arizona Territory |
| Died | September 29, 1918 (aged 21) Murvaux, France |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | Air Service, United States Army |
| Years of service | 1917–1918 |
| Rank | Second Lieutenant (posthumously promoted to First Lieutenant) |
| Battles / wars | World War I |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Distinguished Service Cross (2) War Merit Cross (Italian) |
Frank Luke Jr. (May 19, 1897 – September 29, 1918) was an American fighter ace credited with 19 aerial victories, ranking him second among United States Army Air Service (USAAS) pilots during World War I, after Eddie Rickenbacker. Luke was the first airman to receive the Medal of Honor and first USAAS ace in a day.[1] Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, a United States Air Force pilot training installation since World War II, is named in his honor.