b'luke air forceBase history2nd Lt. Frank Luke Jr., 27th Aero Squadron, First Pursuit Group, stands by his SPAD XIIISeptember 19, 1918.(DoD photo)LUKE AIR FORCE BASE NAMED FOR These bits of evidence from various sources, when pieced 1ST AVIATOR MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT together, led to the identification of this aviator. The cross over his grave now bears the inscription 2nd Lieut. Frank Luke, Luke Air Force Base is named for the first aviator to beJr., Pilot, 27th Aero Squadron; 18 victories. Killed in action awarded the Medal of Honor2nd Lt. Frank Luke Jr. BornSept. 29, 1918. The young lieutenants record and details of in Phoenix in 1897, the Arizona Balloon Buster scored 18 aerialhis last flight disclose a story as inspiring as any ever to stir victories during World War I (14 of these were Germanadmiration, and a death in action as valiant as anyones to ever observation balloons) in the skies over France before beingearn a countrys highest award.killed, at age 21, Sept. 29, 1918. His story starts in Phoenix on May 19, 1897. Luke grew For several months, his grave was marked with a woodenup in the desert and was known as one of the best athletes at cross that read, Unknown American Aviator. To the citizensPhoenix Union High School. He was captain of the track team of Murvaux, France, who saw his last flight and buried himand a member of the basketball and football teams.with what honors the Germans would permit, this unknownSoon after the U.S. entered World War I, the 20-year-old was the hero of the war. Luke enlisted as a private in the Signal Corps. He went to pilot 36 LUKE AIR FORCE BASE THE Premier Fighter Wing'