I don’t mean to put a damper on anyone’s dreams of becoming a fighter pilot. While it’s easy to say now that most fighter pilots don’t have the same risk that they did even 30 or 40 years ago, incidents can happen.
But with the weekend that just passed, I wanted to put together some guys that managed to both serve their country and give their lives in the process as well as scoring an impressive number of enemy airplanes downed.
Raoul Lufbery (World War I): Can any thoughts you have about a French-born pilot on the list. Lufbery grew up Stateside and had an American father. When World War I started, he joined the French Foreign Legion and got started in scouts before eventually joining the Lafayette Escadrille.
The photograph on the right is courtesy of the US Air Force of Major Raoul Lufbery.
A group of Americans fighting for the French, these guys took the fight to the Germans before we entered the war. Lufbery then joined the Americans as soon as they got involved in 1917.
He racked up 17 victories in total, and was the top-scoring American ace until he lost his life trying to interdict a recon plane. They didn’t have parachutes back then, so he didn’t have much of a shot.
George Andrew Davis, Jr. (World War II, Korea): One of only a handful of pilots to have become aces in two wars, Davis was behind the yoke of a P-47 Thunderbolt in the Pacific during World War II, and shot down seven Japanese planes in a one-year span.
The image on the right is courtesy of wikipedia.org.
He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for one action in Korea, an achievement you know is at the top of the military honor scale. Davis had already shot down 14 North Korean jets at the time, riding in one of those sweet F-86 Sabres.
When half of his wing had to turn back, Davis didn’t duck away. The major led his wingman towards a flight of 12 Mig-15s and managed to down three aircraft before the overwhelming superiority of the enemy caught up with him.
I know it’s a bit of a somber moment to reflect on these two pilots. But Memorial Day is a time to remember, and these guys are worth thinking about for just a moment.
Soon, we’ll be back to talking about how you can get behind the yoke and serve your country.
One last thing for you, though. What did you do over Memorial Day Weekend to honor the people who have given their lives for you?
saeed zendegan says
we will never forget them.they will be in our minds for ever.and we will follow their way to the last blood
Adam says
I enjoyed the freedoms they have secured for us. All of my family together, burgers on the grill, kids in the pool, cold beer and warm sun. We wouldn’t have times like these if it wasn’t for those brave Americans.
Jake says
I take a liking to Memorial Day!!! Its a day that my pops and i put up the flag in front of our house! Its an amazing feeling knowing as you raise those colors you have the wonderful opportunity to think about all of those wonderful men and women who have given their lives whether it be in service, or meeting thier maker, they are the GREATEST!!! For those of you who are reading this and are veterans i salute you! As a 19 year old young man i am ready and willing to follow in your foot steps! THANK YOU!!!! My family and i went out to lake Mead here in Nevada and as we are heading out in the no wake zone we passed many parked boats at the dock there. One boat in particular had not just the American Flag but also a U.S.M.C Flag. My dad being an old Marine had us stand and just give a brief moment of thought it was great! There is also this particular mountain top there at the lake. My family beached not to far from this mount, and at the top, you could see a flag pole! My dad said at one time there used to be a flag there, someone took the initiative to bring the pole and flag and raised it up. I guess wheather and such blew the flag away. So i told my dad that next time we go out, we are bringing a flag and raising OL GLORY once more!!! A great way to get in the spirit is to listen to and really really think about our National Anthem! GOD BLESS EVERYONE! May i and others take the reins from those before us lead the next generation of FREEDOM FIGHTERS!
Ed Rush says
I recently spent some time with Tom Brokaw. He’s a former national news anchor and author of the “Greatest Generation.” I personally thanked him for highlighting a generation that kicked butt and took names. Whew…we could use some of those guys in Congress right now! Think Dick Winters and Carlton Lipton!! (i.e. Band of Brothers)
Bob Stickle says
This is a great article about my wife’s (Diana Lufbery Stickle) great uncle Major Raoul Lufbery. It is quite a a tribute as it is the 93 anniversay of his being killed in action.
The Stickle Family thanks you for a job well done.
“Gone but not Forgotten”
Avon,CT”
Ed Rush says
Hi Bob,
It’s our honor to solute fallen soldiers. He is a true hero to this day.
Bob Stickle says
Ed, thanks for the kind words about the Major.
Bob