Dates

• Existence: 1885 March 14 - 1918 May 19

Biographical Note: Raoul Lufbery

Gervais Raoul Victor Lufbery was born in Clermont-Ferrand, France on March 21, 1885 to an American father, Edward Lufbery, and French mother, Madame Annette (Vesieres) Lufbery. His mother passed before his first birthday; five years later his father remarried and returned to the United States, leaving his sons (Raoul's brothers Julian and Charles) behind and in the care of relatives. In 1908, Raoul traveled as well as joined the American army and served in the Phillipines. He also became a naturalized American citizen.

In 1912, he met the French aviator Marc Pourpe and became his mechanic. When World War I started, Pourpe joined the French Air Service and on August 24, 1914 Lufbery joined the French Foreign Legion. After Pourpe was killed in a crash, Lufbery decided to avenge his friend by becoming a pilot.

From October 1915 to May 1916, Lufbery was assigned to Escadrille VB106 but later was assigned to Escadrille Americaine. On July 30, 1916 he scored his first victory, shooting down a German biplane. Lufbery achieved ace status on October 12, 1916 while protecting Allied bombers. For a time, Lufbery was the commander of the 94th Aero Squadron. His last flight was on May 19, 1918. Engaging enemy aircraft when his aircraft burst into flames, Lufbery tried to jump from his plane to a small creek but did not succeed. He died near the village of Maron (France).

For his service, Lufbery was awarded France's Croix de Guerre, with ten Palms, the Medaille Militaire, the Legion d' Honneur, and the British Military Medal.

Sources and Further Reading:

Franks, Norman. Nieuport Aces of World War I. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2000.

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