Maj. Gervais Raoul Lufbery, FAS/USAS

Victories: 14.2 (17)

Squadrons: VB106, N124 (FAS) 94th Aero (USAS)

Born: 14 March 1885 Chamalieres, France
Died: 19 May 1918 Killed In Action Maron, France

Awards
French Légion d'Honneur, French Médaille Militaire, French Croix de Guerre with 10 Palms, British Military Cross (MC)

Notes

Born in France, Lufbery's family emigrated to the United States when he was six years old. When the war began, Lufbery was back in France where he quickly enlisted in the French Air Service. Initially a mechanic, then a bomber pilot, he soon began training to fly fighters. Idolized and revered by his subordinates, Lufbery spent almost four years in the French Air Service and the Lafayette Escadrille before serving as a pilot and instructor in the United States Air Service. He was the first American to receive the British Military Cross, the French Croix de Guerre and the French Médaille Militaire . Lufbery was killed while attempting to shoot down a Rumpler. Hit by enemy fire, his Nieuport 28 suddenly flipped over and Lufbery was seen to fall or leap from the aircraft.

Nieuport 11 of Lt. Raoul Lufbery Escadrille N124 FAS May 1916

Médaille Militaire

"A model of skill, sangfroid and courage. He has distinguished himself through the numerous long distance bombardments and by the daily combats which he has with enemy planes. On 31 July [1916], he never hesitated to attack at close range, a group of four enemy planes. He downed one of them near our lines. He succeeded in downing another on 4 August 1916." Médaille Militaire citation

Légion d'Honneur

"He enlisted under the French colors for the duration of the war. Has given proof as a pursuit pilot of remarkable audacity and has downed up to 27 December 1916, six enemy aircraft. Already cited twice in orders and has the Médaille Militaire ." Legion d'Honneur citation

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Born in France in 1886 of an American father and a French mother, who died when he was one year old.

At 19 he waited tables on ships and traveled around the world.

He enlisted in the U.S. army as a means of becoming a U.S. citizen.

Met Marc Porpes, a famous exhibition pilot and became his personal mechanic, following him into the French Air Service.

After many failures, Lufbery became a fighter pilot during World War I with the Lafayette Escadrille.

He was the first of the flyers in the Escadrille to become an ace, and had 17 victories to his credit at the time of his death.

Taught many Americans how to fly after the United States joined the war, including Douglas Campbell, Reed Chambers and Eddie Rickenbacker.

Died when he jumped from his burning Nieuport and landed on a picket fence,
May 19, 1918.

Quotes

"There won't be any after-the-war for a fighter pilot."
Lufbery

"Theres a hell of a lot of difference in going out alone, no matter what the odds are against you, and in going out as a member or a leader of a group of pilots who may or may not be as good as you are. It is a great responsibility to shepherd these pilots out and get back home safe. I prefer to fight alone, on my own."
Lufbery to Rickenbacker, in a discussion on tactics.

"The crass stupidity of certain American brass hats failed to recognize his value as a fine fighter."
Edwin C. Parsons, commenting on his relegation to a desk as the Lafayette Escadrille was absorbed into the U.S. Air Service.

"We silently faced the realization that America's greatest aviator and ace of aces had been laid away to rest."
Rickenbacker, after Lufbery's death.

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Maj. Gervais Raoul Lufbery, FAS/USAS