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Frank Luke Jr.
A-2002-24
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Biographical Note:
Frank Luke Jr. was one of nine children born to Frank and Otillia Luke. He
was born in Phoenix on May 19, 1897. He graduated from Phoenix Union High
School and enlisted from Tucson in the army on September 25, 1917. Officers
in the army encouraged Frank to become a flier.
In November of 1917, Frank took his first solo flight in San Diego, California. He
was commissioned second lieutenant in the Aviation Section of the Army Signal
Corps. In March of 1918 he boarded the USS Leviathan for more training in
England. He went to Issoudon, a training field in France and flew several
missions with the First Pursuit Group. Frank was killed on September
29, 1918 at Murvaux, France after destroying fourteen balloons and four enemy
aircraft during his military career.
Posthumous medals included the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Distinguished
Service Cross, the Italian War Cross, the Aero Club of America Medal for
Honor & Bravery and the Margarite Fisher Gold Medal.
Scope and Content Note:
The collection consists of one document box with twelve folders. There
are six series: 1 Correspondence from Frank Jr. to his mother; 2 Correspondence
from Frank Luke Jr. to his father; 3 Correspondence from Frank Luke Jr. to
his sister Eva; 4 Correspondence to Frank Luke Jr. from family; 5 Miscellaneous
correspondence; 6 Ephemera.
The photograph collection consists of many photographs of Frank Luke Jr.
other aviators, and scenes in France.
The records cover the years 1914-1943 with bulk dates of 1917-1919.
The correspondence describes the military training of Frank Luke Jr. and
his flying experiences in Europe. Family letters detail events in their
lives in Arizona. Several letters and postcards are sympathy expressions
to Mr. & Mrs. Frank Luke Sr.
A grandniece, Mrs. Kathleen Haas and her brothers, Thomas, Michael and John
Weland donated the Frank Luke Jr. collection of letters, photographs and
ephemera.
Series Description:
Series 1: Correspondence from Frank Jr. to his mother
Series 2: Correspondence from Frank Luke Jr. to his
father
Series 3: Correspondence from Frank Luke Jr. to his
to sister Eva
Series 4: Correspondence to Frank Luke Jr. from family
Series 5: Miscellaneous Correspondence
Series 6: Ephemera
Inventory
Series 1: Correspondence from
Frank Jr. to his mother
| Box:Folder |
Description |
Date |
| 1:1 |
Cornelia, AZ-friend Floyd,trip to find Indian reservation |
June 1, 1916 |
| 1:1 |
Free dances, tried to get a job, store business |
June 6, 1917 |
| 1:1 |
Will land in Austin tomorrow (postcard) |
September 28, 1917 |
| 1:1 |
Austin, Texas-aeronautics school, room inspection, salary,
will learn telegraphy and rifles, got a shot |
October 2, 1917 |
| 1:1 |
Austin,-studying hard, needs loan (postcard) |
October 5, 1917 |
| 1:1 |
Austin-test results (postcard) |
October 6, 1917 |
| 1:1 |
Austin, Texas-don’t send clothes(postcard) |
October 11, 1917 |
| 1:1 |
Austin-hopes to be sent to Egypt (postcard) |
October 11, 1917 |
| 1:1 |
Austin-needs his chemistry book (postcard) |
October 12, 1917 |
| 1:1 |
Austin-taking engine test (postcard) |
October 27, 1917 |
| 1:1 |
Austin-needs money |
October 29, 1917 |
| 1:1 |
Austin-leaving for New York in two weeks, still testing |
November 9, 1917 |
| 1:1 |
Austin-needs uniforms, thanked Anna for money |
November 11, 1917 |
| 1:1 |
Austin- wants mother to write, studies |
November 19, 1917 |
| 1:1 |
Austin-graduated, has 2 day leave at Driskill Hotel, plans
to go to San Diego instead of New York |
November 25, 1917 |
| 1:1 |
Los Angeles-had Thanksgiving dinner at Rosslyn Hotel,
leaving San Diego |
November, 1917 |
| 1:1 |
San Diego-Signal Corps Aviation School, glad to see Dad,
flew alone, invited to dance |
December 14, 1917 |
| 1:2 |
San Diego-is flying everyday, had 72 hours of guard duty,
wants pilot’s license |
January 10, 1919 |
| 1:2 |
Los Angeles-leaving for San Diego, going to dance with
Maria |
February 9, 1918 |
| 1:2 |
California Limited-en route to flying school in New Jersey,
will stay over in Chicago |
February 19, 1918 |
| 1:2 |
New York-sightseeing, will look up Uncle Joe, send picture
to Maria |
February 27, 1918 |
| 1:2 |
New York-at the Herald Square Hotel, Uncle Joe |
March 1, 1918 |
| 1:2 |
New York-saw Uncle Joe and Aunt Mary |
March 2, 1918 |
| 1:2 |
France-voyage on U.S.S. Leviathan, will take 2 or 3 months
for advanced flying, likes military life |
March 11, 1918 |
| 1:2 |
France-going to Chateau De Blois (postcard) |
March 19, 1918 |
| 1:2 |
France-met four Phoenix boys, brother Ed, new suit |
March 22, 1918 |
| 1:2 |
France-settled again, will not fly for a month yet |
March 26, 1918 |
| 1:2 |
France-has classes regularly |
April 3, 1918 |
| 1:2 |
France-enjoys classes, long walks |
April 3, 1918 |
| 1:2 |
France-would like cake, sundries kit |
April 5, 1918 |
| 1:2 |
France-heard shots during the night, cookhouse on fire |
April 5, 1918 |
| 1:2 |
France-machines humming overhead, having a hard time learning
French |
April 8, 1918 |
| 1:2 |
France-hopes she likes souvenirs, not flying yet |
April 11, 1918 |
| 1:2 |
France-rain keeps them away from flying |
April 13, 1918 |
| 1:2 |
France-will have pictures taken |
April 21, 1918 |
| 1:2 |
France-reading a lot, brother Ed |
April 24, 1918 |
| 1:3 |
France-still training, forest near camp was on fire, food
is expensive |
May 11, 1918 (letter says 1915) |
| 1:3 |
France-constant rain, hope they see Marie in San Diego |
May 11, 1918 |
| 1:3 |
France-“Mother’s Day,” enjoys his time |
May 12, 1918 |
| 1:3 |
France-arrived at new field, has been flying, formations
are difficult, contour flying |
May 17, 1918 |
| 1:3 |
France-traveled to two places, currently located on a
large lake |
June 2, 1918 |
| 1:3 |
France-still at Issoudon, expects to be in Paris soon,
returned from Cazaux, lost luggage, saving money to buy Marie a ring |
June 25, 1918 |
| 1:3 |
France-changed his location, not on the front yet but
hopes to be soon |
July 4, 1918 |
| 1:3 |
France-staying at YMCA Hotel in Paris |
July 5, 1918 |
| 1:3 |
France-letters from home and Marie, has room in depilated
house |
July 24, 1918 |
| 1:3 |
France-had letters from Marie, traveled all over France,
brother Ed |
July 31, 1918 |
| 1:3 |
France-no action yet |
August 9, 1918 |
| 1:3 |
France-good health, weather poor |
August 13, 1918 |
| 1:3 |
France-war going good for allies |
August 26, 1918 |
| 1:3 |
France-had auto ride and dinner to nearby town, food expensive |
September 8, 1918 |
| 1:3 |
France-bad weather, may spend his first winter in snow,
aviators treated well |
September 10, 1918 |
| 1:3 |
France- has been busy but well |
September 21, 1919 |
| 1:3 |
France- feeling fine |
September 28? |
| 1:3 |
Baseball team played Globe, will play Tempe for the cup,
will win the track meet |
n.d. |
| 1:3 |
Arrived safely overseas (postcard) |
n.d. |
To Top
Series 2: Correspondence from
Frank Luke Jr. to his father
| Box:Folder |
Description |
Date |
| 1:4 |
Los Angeles-will have Thanksgiving in LA, will leave for
San Diego in the morning, will get commission after he takes the flying
courses |
November 30, 1917 |
| 1:4 |
San Diego-received money, flew solo will start machine
gun training |
December 19, 1917 |
| 1:4 |
USS Leviathan-ship was old German “Vaterland,” insurance
is paid up, spent money on equipment |
March 3, 1918 |
| 1:4 |
France-received letter from Hanny re: suit, baggage lost
going to Paris, flying pay is held up, flying grades good, had camera
guns on plane, anxious to go to front |
July 9, 1918 |
| 1:4 |
San Diego-finished course in signal, machine gun, nomenclature
of the the airplane, theory of flight, instruments, engines, military
law, drills were difficult, will probably go to France |
n.d. |
| 1:4 |
Venice, CA- left Ajo, sold watch, waiting for letter from
government to be sent to school |
n.d. |
| 1:4 |
Arrived safely overseas (postcard) |
n.d. |
To Top
Series 3: Correspondence from
Frank Luke Jr. to his sister Eva
| Box:Folder |
Description |
Date |
| 1:5 |
Finals, pictures in uniform |
August 30, 1914 |
| 1:5 |
France-summer in Flagstaff, Phoenix boys, work has been
taking planes from Paris to other places in France, Gotha raids in Paris |
July 25, 1918 |
| 1:5 |
France-waiting for orders, it will be a long time for
victory, glad she has a car now |
August 30, 1918 |
To Top
Series 4: Correspondence to
Frank Luke Jr. from family
| Box:Folder |
Description |
Date |
| 1:6 |
Phoenix-from Dad-called Struckmeyer for him |
July 9, 1917 |
| 1:6 |
Phoenix- from Dad-fill out form and send to Captain E.
B. Lyon |
August 24, 1917 |
| 1:6 |
Phoenix-from Mother-Happy Easter card |
March 25, 1918 |
| 1:6 |
LA-from Dad-stayed in New York for 7 or 8 days, returned
to California, Third Liberty Loan, plans on putting in a mill at the
mine |
April 28, 1918 |
| 1:6 |
Phoenix-from Dad-busy with bank work Ed is now in South
Carolina, visited Eva Bullock, many growing cotton locally |
May 25, 1918 |
| 1:6 |
Phoenix-from Eva-John Sherry is in the service, write
to Leon Jacobs, brother Ed has his commission, Eva and Kelly sent their
names into the Red Cross, swimming in the canal, will be in Lena Merkin’s
wedding, invited Marie for the winter |
June 10, 1918 |
| 1:6 |
Flagstaff-from Mother-Eva joined Red Cross, father bought
car, Ottilia learning to drive, cost too much to go to coast, Eunice
in San Diego for summer |
July 11, 1918 |
| 1:6 |
Phoenix-From Dad-American Aviation Branch, Ed may be on
his way to the Front, bought Studebaker from Tom Childs, plans to go
to California |
July 12, 1918 |
| 1:6 |
Flagstaff-from sister Anna Marie Mama is out on a big
ranch with Bill, Eva accepted into the Red Cross, please write to John
Sherry, received letter from Marie, going to Grand Canyon |
July 22, 1918 |
| 1:6 |
Phoenix-from Dad-brother Ed sent to Fort Sill, OK, bought
Studebaker, Eva, Bill, Anna and Mama are in Flagstaff |
July 24, 1918 |
| 1:6 |
Phoenix-from Mother-Eva expects to be called in Sept.
with Kelly, Papa in LA, helping with Bill’s reading, brother Edwin writes
and is anxious to go overseas, Eunice expecting a baby |
September 3, 1918 |
| 1:6 |
Phoenix-from sister Eva-mentions newspaper account of
Frank’s capture of a pilot, everyone is proud of him, packed for the
Red Cross |
September 21, 1918 |
| 1:6 |
Phoenix-from Mother-family and town is proud of him, brother
Ed anxious to go overseas, he is till at Ft. Sill, keep safe |
September 21, 1918 |
To Top
Series 5: Miscellaneous Correspondence
| Box:Folder |
Description |
Date |
| 1:7 |
Phoenix-to Tillie from Frank-looking for house, busy electioning,
children well |
August 30, 1914 |
| 1:7 |
Georgia-Grants Moniem to Frank Luke “I also feel the trill
(sic) given you by noble Frank Luke Jr.” (telegram) |
September 24, 1917 |
| 1:7 |
Miami-Charles Clark to Frank Luke Sr. congratulations
on achievements of Frank Luke Jr. |
September 19, 1918 |
| 1:7 |
Berkley, CA-W.H. Joyce to Frank Luke Sr.-clipping from
the San Francisco Chronicle, congratulations on son Frank, mutual friend
Bob Kern |
September 21, 1918 |
| 1:7 |
San Francisco, CA-James Bell to Mr. & Mrs. Luke-congratulations
on Frank’s exploits in France |
October 5, 1918 |
| 1:7 |
James Bell to Anna Marie Luke-Associated Press reports
Frank missing since Oct. 20 (telegram) |
October 28, 1918 |
| 1:7 |
Phoenix-Herbert Strickland to Frank Luke Sr.-knew Frank
Jr. when they worked at Thayers and at the Palace Hardware Store, visited
Luke house on East Adams |
November 18, 1918 |
| 1:7 |
Paris, France-J.F. Alkire, 2st Lt. to Frank Luke Sr.-privilege
to have known Frank Luke Jr., deepest sympathy |
January15, 1919 |
| 1:7 |
France-Edward Caddell Jr to Frank Luke Sr.-enclosing clipping
re: Frank Luke Jr. |
April 26, 1919 |
| 1:7 |
France-William T. Lott to Frank Luke Sr.-enclosing clipping
of Frank Jr., enlisted in Phoenix, joins in his sorrow, sister is Mrs.
Thos. Webb of Phoenix. |
April 29, 1919 |
| 1:7 |
Auburn-Ina M. Hewitt to Frank Luke Sr.-sending article
from Stars & Stripes, deepest sympathy |
May 1919 |
| 1:7 |
New York-James Furlong to Frank Luke Sr.-“New York Evening
Sun” article of Frank Jr., sympathy, Phoenix Union High School card “In
Loving Memory of Frank Luke Jr.” |
May 20, 1919 |
| 1:7 |
Mary Ella Farnsworth to Mr. & Mrs. Luke Sr.-poem to
Frank Jr. in memory |
June 28, 1919 |
| 1:7 |
Washington-C.T. Men, Major General to Frank Luke Sr.-sending
photo of Frank Jr., other copy placed at Luke Field, Pearl Harbor which
was named for Frank Jr. |
July 25, 1919 |
| 1:7 |
Riverside, CA- Mrs. George S. McClune to Mrs. Luke-their
son had high regard for Frank Jr., they flew together in combat practice |
August 27, 1919 |
| 1:7 |
Paris, France-Franklin L. Love-placed wreath from city
of Phoenix on grave of Frank Jr. |
May 30, 1931 |
| 1:7 |
Washington-A.D. Hughs to Mrs. Luke- declining her invitation
to sail on the Roosevelt to visit grave of Frank Jr., 1933 will be last
year for pilgrimages paid by the government |
May 25, 1932 |
| 1:7 |
Tucson-Earnest Huhlein to Frank Luke Sr., Appreciates
picture of Frank Jr. |
June 11, 1934 |
| 1:7 |
Interlaken-Ancil Martin to Mr. & Mrs. Luke, unable
to make long journey to visit Frank Jr.grave, enclosing grave location |
August, ? |
| 1:7 |
An "Arizonan" to Frank Luke Sr., enclosing clipping
from "Stars and Stripes |
n.d. |
| 1:7 |
Mrs. Isabella Greenway to Mr. & Mrs. Luke “in memory” (card) |
n.d. |
| 1:7 |
George & Rose Betts-sympathy (card) |
n.d. |
To Top
Series 6: Ephemera
| Box:Folder |
Description |
Date |
| 1:8 |
Phoenix Union High School report cards (2) |
1916-1917 |
| 1:8 |
Doanne Merrill, Chairman of Commission of State Institutions
to Col. W.A. Glassford, received telegram from Frank Jr. stating he passed
exam, 1st Lt., Aerial Corps, asking for character reference |
August 6, 1917 |
| 1:8 |
Honorable discharge from United State Army Enlisted Reserve
Corps because he was "called to active duty,” includes enlistment
record |
January 23, 1918 |
| 1:8 |
Appointment as Second Lt. in the Aviation Section Signal
Officers’ Reserve Corps |
January 23, 1918 |
| 1:8 |
Instructions to pilots re: Spads- H.E. Harding, Commanding
Officer, 27th Aero Squadron |
July 24, 1918 |
| 1:8 |
Extract of Special Orders No.208-list of officers required
to participate in aerial flights |
July 28, 1918 |
| 1:8 |
Commendation for excellent work of First Pursuit Group
of American Expeditionary Forces |
August 14, 1918 |
| 1:8 |
“The Service Flag” Mrs. Lillie Ellis |
February 1919 |
| 1:8 |
Mr. James Douglas from Howard Davidson, Germany-could
not find info. on Lt. Luke, sent newspaper articles to Mr. Luke, 66 F.
A. Brigade waiting to embark, both Mr. Douglas’ son and Frank Brophy
in that brigade |
March 16, 1919 |
| 1:8 |
Mrs. Tillie Luke from C.C. Vargas, Disbursing Clerk, monthly
check from Bureau of War Risk Insurance will be coming later in the month |
November 1, 1919 |
| 1:8 |
Mrs. Eva Luke Flynn from Arnold Blumenthal Post commander,
Frank Luke Jr. Post No. 1 of American Legion, Eva elected honorary member
at special meeting |
December 9, 1920 |
| 1:8 |
American Legion Auxiliary-card for Mrs. F. Luke Sr. |
May 1929 |
| 1:8 |
Invitation to attend unveiling ceremonies of the Statute
of Frank Luke Jr. at the State Capitol |
November 11, 1930 |
| 1:8 |
Mother’s Day statement- Mrs. Luke hopes mothers of Chinese
flyers training at Luke Field can hear her voice on the radio |
May 10, 1943 |
| 1:8 |
Evidence of Baptism for Francis Jos. Anthony Luke born
on May 19, 1897, St. Mary’s Parish |
October 1, 1943 |
| 1:8 |
“The Death of Luke” poem by Jonathan Howard Michael |
n.d |
| 1:8 |
Recommendation of Frank Luke Jr.- A. B. Nichols MD- Phoenix |
n.d. |
| 1:8 |
“In Memory” Reed Chambers, Major U.S. Air Service |
n.d. |
| 1:8 |
“Best Wishes” n.d. 1:8 “Cote d’ Argent” postcard |
n.d. |
| 1:9 |
Newspaper clippings |
various |
| 1:10 |
Newspaper clippings |
various |
| 1:11 |
Publication-Battle Stories-contains article on Frank
Luke Jr.-“Balloon Burner” |
September 1928 |
| 1:12 |
Newspaper clippings on Col. Eddie Rickenbacher Frank Luke
Jr. |
various |
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Updated: 05/08/2009
