Arizona republican., 1919-01-29

 lets, Frankxuke, Jr., the Phoenix avia- tor, famous ace of the American air men, went to his death fighting alone against dozens of the enemy.
 Particulars concerning the last fight and the brave death of the indomitable Arizona boy, whosS marvellous exploits in the air on the western battle front in France have thrilled two continents were received yesterday by his parents in this city. They came from the American Red Cross and demolished what slight hope their might have been held that Luke was a prisoner in the hands of the Germans.
 The last known of Frank Luke, Jr was that he had sailed away from the American lines at o'clock on the evening of September 25, 1918, with the intention of bringing down some Ger man observation balloons. He never re- turned.
 Luke a1ighted on German soil, the report from the American Red Cross says, after having brought down three German observation balloons and two airplanes to add to his already long record.
 Immediately he was surrounded by Germans who called upon him to sur render. His reply was to place hls back to his airplane, and drawing hls side arms, fired into the Huns that greatly outnumbered him.
 Almost instantly he fell, literally riddled with German bullets. But be- fore he was killed, his victims mum bered eleven.
 Following is the communication re- l. I I,a Fa+ from the American Red Cross:
 We are sending you some informa- tion which has come to us by recent cable from Paris, telling about the death of an unidentified aviator, who, it is possible, may be your son, Lieut.. Frank Luke, 27th aero squadron, previously reported missing in action and later re- ported by the International Red Cross to have been killed in combat on Sept ! % Our Paris office cabled, under date ! of Jan. IS:
 Aviator Merriam Cooper with as sistance of Red Cross visited regions | and reports following:
 ! Unidentified aviator Sept. 29, after | shooting down two German planes 1 three German balloons and II Ger man soldiers, landed successfully Re | fused surrender, standing defending 1 himself until killed at Mervaux East 1 Dun sur Mouse; wore Elgin watch No | 20,225,566 medium height, light hair Believed Aviator Frank Luke, 27th aero squadron; home address, Frank Luke, No. 2200 West Monroe street | Phoenix, Arizona.
 You may be able to tell from the above description if this unknown hero was your son. We would be very glaC it you would let us know about this, fol this is one of the most wonderful ac. counts of supreme courage that ha: come to us and we would like to fee that the boys family could share 1T his glory"
 The above description fits the latt Lieut. Luke to a 'Tv' and the watcf was that carried by him. The watcI was seemingly the only positive meth ods of identification found on the body
 A letter praising the deeds of the lat, American ace has also ben received from Lieut.. Thomas Maddock of tn engineering corps. Lieut.. Maddock former state engineer, Wrote as fol lows:
 T have been here for several day and have met great many of the mel from the flying forces who are her awaiting transportation to the Unite' States.
 They are as fine bunch of boys a ever saw. I have made numerou inquiries in regard to your boy and tn replies have been so unanimous in thei praise of his courage and ability that am sorry you could not have hear them at first hand and have met hi associates. Many times I have bee proud to be from the same town an state as Lieut.. Luke, and want you t know it. I am so sorry he will not re turn to you, but if a man was so des tined, I am sure he could not have oe sired a more glorious death nor greater place in the memory of his as sociates and friends"
 l Lieut.. Luke, mere youngster i years, having attained his majorit } only last June, had IS air victories. { 3 his credit previous to the time that h was reported missing. He was tn