Luke, Frank, Jr.

Luke, Frank, Jr.

(1897–1918) aviator; born in Phoenix, Ariz. He enlisted in 1917, learned to fly, and joined the 27th Aero Squadron in France, where in six weeks of furious combat he destroyed 20 German aircraft. Attacked by six German airplanes on Sept. 29, 1918, Luke crash-landed his craft and fought off approaching enemy soldiers until he was mortally wounded.