b'luke air forceBase historytraining and entered combat in France as a new member of the 1st Pursuit Group, 27th Aero Squadron. His exploits spanned only a scant 18 days, but as records now reflect, he destroyed 14 German balloons and four aircraft, earning him the title of the Arizona Balloon Buster.Lukes commander, Maj. H.E. Hartney, said of him: No one had the sheer contemptuous courage that boy possessed. He was an excellent pilot and probably the best flying marksman on the Western Front. We had any number of expert pilots and there was no shortage of good shots, but the perfect combination, like the perfect specimen of anything in the world, was scarce. Frank Luke was the perfect combination.While balloons sound insignificant, in WWIs trench warfare environment they were critical. They served as observation posts and enabled both armies to look deep behind one anothers lines.The hydrogen-filled balloons were expensive and of great military value. Normally protected by heavy anti-aircraft gun batteries, there was usually a flight of pursuit planes stationed nearby. To attack a balloon was practically suicide.But for whatever reason, these were Lukes voluntary objectives. Some surmised it was because of the easy confirmation as the fireball fell from the sky, trailing a plume of smoke. On Sept. 12, 1918, Luke shot down his first balloon. His last flight was Sept. 29, 1918. At least 13 people in the village of Murvaux,DoD photowatched his final blaze of glory. That group later made a sworn affidavit of his actions that day.They said they saw an American aviator with a squadronHe did not escape unscathed. Even though already wounded, of Germans pursuing and shooting at him. He descendedhe attacked one more observation balloon and the Frenchmen suddenly and vertically toward the Earth, then straightenedsaw it burst into flames and plummet to the ground.out and flew toward Briers Farm where he found a GermanLuke descended to within 50 meters of the ground and balloon, which he shot up and burned in spite of incessantopened fire on enemy troops, killing six and wounding just enemy fire. He destroyed two other balloons while still flyingas many more. But his time was limited. His wounds and the through hostile fire both from troops on the ground and thedamage to his aircraft forced him to land. As German soldiers German fighters. surrounded him on all sides, he drew his .45-caliber pistol and defended himself until he fell, mortally wounded from a bullet in his chest.Infuriated by the savagery of the Americans final attack, the German commandant of the village refused to have straw placed in the cart that removed Lukes body. He also refusedto allow women to shroud his body with a sheet. Witnessesreported he kicked Lukes body and snapped, Get that thing out of my way as quickly as possible. Two men, Cortlae Delbert and Voliner Nicolas, loaded the Arizonans body ona wagon, escorted him to the cemetery and buried him.His courage in combat not only earned him his nickname but also the Medal of Honor. His awards included theDistinguished Flying Cross, the Italian War Cross and the Aero Club Medal for Bravery. In 1930, the American Society for the Promotion of Aviation named him the nations greatest air hero.Though unmarried, Luke came from a large family, and many Lieutenant Luke brought down three German observation balloons in thirty-five minutes. (DoD photo) in the Valley of the Sun today carry on the Luke family name.THE Premier Fighter Wing LUKE AIR FORCE BASE 37'