Lufbery, Raoul, 1885-1918
Person
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.
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.
Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:
Biographical Information Files - L
Sub-Group
Scope and Contents
Individuals whose names begin with L: Lacy, Clay [Pilot, businessman] Folder 1: "An Aviation Romantic," Professional Pilot, April 1985Publicity brochure for Clay Lacy AviationThree decals for ONMI 64 P-51 racer"High-Flying Retirement," Seattle Times, August 13, 1990"Omni/Lacy...Right On!," Air Progress, July 1972Pathfinder...
William James World War I Photograph Collection
Collection
Identifier: 2001-02-15
Abstract
The collection contains four photographs of fighter pilots who served during World War I and one photograph of a Fokker Dr.I Triplane (F.I).
Lufbery, Raoul, Major, 1918 April 18
File — Multiple Containers
Scope and Contents
The Early Aviation Photograph Collection is a collection of unknown origins consisting of 328 black-and-white photographic prints and 299 negatives primarily depicting aircraft from the first half of the 20th century. Some airships, airports, pilots, and other subjects are also depicted in the photographs. The collection is arranged into two series: Airplane photographs and Non-airplane photographs. The first series, Airplane Photographs, makes up the bulk of the collection with 156...
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