The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-06-28
BACCED 22PLANES
MissOurian Has Fine Record in
the Air Service.
Is Modest and Declares Many
Have Done Better.

Kansas City, June 2S.-The hero of
more than hundred battles in the air,
an ace who has brought down twenty
two German airplanes, recipient OF
the Distinguished Service Order and
of the Military Cross, the latter at the
hands of the King of England. and
former Commander of a British Fly
ing Squadron-aH of those is Capt.
Frederick Libby, who was in Kansas
City yesterday, the guest of his sister,
Mrs. j. w. johnson. S27 Huntington
Road.
Ace Is Modest.
Captain Libby is very modest, talks
reluctantly OF his exploits.
There is lot OF camouflage in &C
counts of fighting in the air." he said.
IT have known fellows who had done
little to come back home and write
books and magazine articles about
their experiences. Many Of the boys
in the service have equaled and sur
passed my record now, and nothing is
heard of them"
Captain Libby's Story.
The uuyarnished tale of Captain
Libbys experiences is this:
At the beginning of the war in 1914,
Captain Libby, whose home is st. JOS
eph, Mo, was in Canada He enlisted
in the aviation service there, and early
In 1919 was accepted on prODdllOn as
an observer in the British Royal Fly
ing Corps. He went to France and
after qualifying as an observer be-
came a pilot, returned to England for
course of training, and then returned
to France with the commission of lieu
tenant.
King Decorated Him.
BY December 10. 1915, Lieutenant
Libby had downed ten German planes,
in recognition of which he was dec
GRATED with the Military Cross by King
George in Buckingham palace.
IL Planes in IL Months
With the rank of captain he re-
entered service on the western front,
and in the first five months of 1917,
brought down twelve more OF the Hun
aircraft, making a total of twenty-five.
Captain Libby came to the United
States early last summer, and enlisted
l. the American aviation forces, re-
tanning the rank of captain. He was
chosen by the United States as one OF
the six men to assume charge of the
first American air squadron to be
transported to France.
Health Gave Way.
Last November Captain Libby be-
gan to feel the results of long expos
ure at high attitudes and of sitting for
many hours in one position. He suf-
fered an attack of rheumatism and
went to Hot Springs, Ark, for treat
ment. He left there in an improved
condition a few days ago. He left
here last night for New York and ex-
poets to sail for France as soon as his
health will permit.
England Best in Air.
Superiority in the air belongs I'M
questionably to England at present, -
said Captain Libby. 1.-The Englishman
regards fighting in the air as sport
the F'renchman makes 1t serious
business. With. the growth of this
branch OF the American service, we
may soon be hearing of our superior
ity and Of many exploits Of the Amer
lean fliers.''
Captain Libby never was wounded,
a1tho he was forced to land four times
in the course of air battles, and on
one occasion his observer was riddled
with shot. Service in the air is count
ed in hours, and Captain Libby has to
his credit $50 hours as an observer,
and 500 hours as pilot.