Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-14

with the enemy near Murvaux.
France. September. 29,h. 1918. After
having previously DESTROYED mum
her of enemy aircraft within seven
teen days. he voluntarily started ON a
patrol after German observation
balloons. Though pursued by eight
German planes which were protecting
the enemy balloon line, he UNI
hesitatingly attacked and shot down
In flames three German balloons. be.
ing himself under heavy fire from
ground batteries and the hostile
planes.
Severely wounded, he descended b.
within so meters OF the ground and,
flying at this low altitude near the
town Of MureauA. opened fire on the
enemy troops. killing six and wound
ing as many more. Forced To make
q landing and surrounded on all sides
by the enemy, who called upon him
10 surrender. he drew his automatic
pistol and defended himself gallantly
until he fell dead from IA wound iii
the chest
"(Sisned) JOHN ]. PERSHING."
Frank Luke had won the first o:
the two highest decorations he earned
on that fatefui 29th Of September
tho Congressional Medal of Honor,
The other decoration is also Il reward
II the supreme sacrifice. not SO rare
AZ the Medal Of Honor but no less
honorable.
On little rise Of ground III North
eastern France stands group OF
buildings 4 road from the outs!d.
world runs through gate in the
center Of these buildings and below
them on level space l. "A wide lawn
In which stand seemingly sndiess
rows OF white wooden crosses Ar
ranged with military precision. these
crosses stand forever at attention,
waiting for that last hugic cali which
"a great Book tells us wall sound some
day
ON your left as you come down tho
little hull 3s the great rectaugi" az
crosses which il known as Block \.
Modesily 10 the rear stands Grave Is
In Row 20. Al the head Of this grave
Is "A white cross. precisely like It's COM
panion crosses in the common de
inocracy Of death. except that on
the cross bar ~ The name FRANK
LIKE. JUNIOR There the hero of
this story rests under his final decoru'
ton Of the Wooden Cross. waiting
through the long years with his com.
rades for the Last Day.
That fatility Of numbers of which
We have spoken before ends in Grave
10, Row -. Block \. Komagne Gem.
etery. France.
What other war flyers thought Of
Luke h OF more interest than what
this writer thinks Of him. H. has been
said here that hc was the outstanding
inquire or Americas war in the air.
TINS has not been said with any
thought Of dlsparaRing the host az
myers who served their country so
h"roicalIy AMI 80 well nor In it an ui.
supported opinion
capt. Edward '. EickenbaCkcr, our
Ace or Aces at The end Of the war
win ~ Official victories To his credit.
may he granted the right To speak
WIN authority IN all matters con-
ctihlng war aviation.
Had Frank Luke lived" SAWS Cant
Hlckenbhcker. ''hc would have put
me out Of business long ago as our
AfmyS leading ace. wouldn't have
'ad Il show against him Ills life
- one 81 ths bIiEhtest eIorlos Of our
Air Service"
Capt. Eddie'a" calm generosity Of
'hlid aud heurt would lead one Ia
expect such dlapasninnhte Judgment
from MN III weighing ia question If
'his s"it--~it Judgment unaffected by
ms Ih"t that ho WAS the chief factor
~ me comparison. He knew Luke
wen While IL IL not matter II
omen record, ir Lathe had lived liz
""Hid ptohahly have been Transferred
from lilo -th 10 Capt. Kickenhacker'a