Second Lieutenant Frank Luke, Jr.; The Arizona Balloon Buster

Second lieutenant Frank Luke, Jr. was born on May 19, 1897, in Phoenix Arizona. He enlisted in the United States Army Signal Corps in May 1917 during World War I. Luke undertook numerous daring missions, successfully destroying enemy observation balloons and aircraft. His fearless and aggressive approach earned him the nickname, the "Arizona Balloon Buster." After successfully shooting down enemy balloons, Luke faced a severe injury inflicted by a single machine gun bullet to the chest. Despite his wound, he managed to make a landing in a field just west of the small village of Murvaux. He attempted to seek refuge but was found a few hundred yards away from his aircraft. Frank Luke, Jr. was credited with 18 confirmed aerial victories, by destroying 4 planes and 14 enemy observation balloons. Frank Luke, Jr. was just 21 years old at the time of his death. Listen to his story, here...