Downed Chinese Spy Balloon has Historical Ties to Arizona Hero

NU Newsmedia

PHOENIX – One year ago, a pair of United States Air Force F-22 Raptors operating under the callsign Frank01 and Frank02 shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon over the Atlantic Ocean, just offshore from Myrtle Beach, S.C. with an air-to-air missile. But this is not the first balloon the service has credited in its history of aerial victories, a history which is inextricably tied to Phoenix’s very own Frank Luke Jr.

A pair of F-22 Raptors (as seen here), operating under the call signs Frank 01 and Frank 02, downed a suspected Chinese spy balloon. The Air Force paid homage to Frank Luke Jr’s aerial legacy in shooting down balloons in World War One. Image sourced from the Department of Defense (2023).

One hundred and six years ago, it was the summer of 1918. American, French, and Siamese forces were pitted against an entrenched German army in what would be known as the Meuse-Argonne offensive. Casualties were fierce. Progress was at a stalemate.

So, the United States Army Air Service’s 27th Aero Squadron was called in to help break the deadlock. Over the course of the summer, then-2nd Lt. Frank Luke Jr. and his wingman 1st Lt. Joseph Frank Wehner patrolled the skies over northeastern France in their SPAD XIII biplanes. Together they would fly sortie after sortie terrorizing the German lines and specifically the artillery observation balloons overwatching them.

Lt. Frank Luke Jr.’s likeness, in period correct uniform is seen on display with his military medals at the Lt. Frank Luke Jr Museum in Goodyear, Ariz.

Luke would go on to destroy 14 German observation balloons and four airplanes before his death, earning himself the title of ace, the nickname “Arizona Balloon Buster”, two Distinguished Service Crosses, and the Congressional Medal of Honor. Both Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona and Lukeville in southern Arizona are named in his honor.

“Had Lt. Luke lived he would have put me out of business as the leading ace long ago,” once famously said by Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker, undeniably the most successful and most decorated American ace of World War One.

On Sept. 29, 1918, Luke was shot down by enemy aircraft and intense ground fire following a hair-raising aerial dogfight. Luke survived the crash of his aircraft but was killed by German troops when he refused to surrender, fighting on to the bitter end with his Colt Model 1911. He was buried by the Germans with honor two days later.

The 27th Aero Squadron would go on to many more aerial victories, becoming the 27th Pursuit Squadron, and eventually evolving into the 27th Fighter Squadron, fighting in Europe again during World War Two and later the Persian Gulf War, and protecting the skies over northern Iraqi Kurds during Operation Northern Watch.

SPAD XIII on display at the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum. Image sourced from the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum.

The squadron does not fly the SPAD XIII anymore, but rather the F-22 Raptor out of Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. Yes, the same apparent squadron and type of aircraft launched for last year’s balloon intercept mission. (The 1st Fighter Wing, the headquarters to the 27th Fighter Squadron, of the United States Air Force declined to comment any further on this story nor officially confirmed the squadron connection.)

Given this seeming connection, were these callsigns by design of military leaders or merely a coincidence? Either way, it is quite a fitting tribute to Frank Luke Jr’s aerial legacy.

“(Frank Luke Jr) was a wild and crazy guy. He didn’t really like to follow orders. … Frank was a very good pilot, and he was an excellent marksman and hunter. He actually developed the sighting on top of the Vickers machine gun [on the SPAD XIII]. … He was very daring,” says historian Bill Simon of the Lt. Frank Luke Jr. Museum in Goodyear, Ariz. “He’s the first medal of honor recipient that we had born and raised in Arizona when we were a territory. … It’s part of our history, why let it go?”

“I was proud and delighted they remembered him,” says Don Luke, Frank Luke Jr.’s surviving nephew, and president of Bill Luke Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram in Phoenix, Ariz. “You know if we don’t remember the past and what we went through, I just think it’s all part of history and part of what makes us who we are,” adds Luke.

Don Luke, Lt. Frank Luke Jr.’s surviving nephew, whose family still lives in the Phoenix-metro-area, poses next to an original commemorative painting depicting Lt. Frank Luke Jr.’s aerial achievements and Medal of Honor. Don never got to meet his uncle because he was killed in action so young, but is proud of his legacy.

Readers who are interested in hearing more on the exploits and achievements of this brave young aviator can visit the Lt. Frank Luke Jr. Museum and chat with Bill Simon at 1045 South Camino Oro Drive in Goodyear. The museum is open Monday thru Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the museum is free but supported by donations.

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