Carl J. Luksic

Carl John Luksic (June 20, 1921 – May 24, 2009) was a United States Air Force lieutenant colonel. During World War II, he became a flying ace credited with 8.5 aerial victories, including five in one day for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. He himself was shot down and taken as a prisoner of war before his successful escape from captivity.

Carl John Luksic
BornJune 20, 1921
Honolulu, Hawaii
DiedMay 24, 2009(2009-05-24) (aged 87)
Panama City, Florida
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army Air Forces
 United States Air Force
Years of service1942–1969
Rank Lieutenant Colonel
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsDistinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (4)
Air Medal (4)

Early life and World War II

Carl J. Luksic was born on June 20, 1921, at Schofield Barracks in Honolulu, Hawaii. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces on March 22, 1942, where he entered the Aviation Cadet Training Program. Luksic earned his wings and was commissioned as a second lieutenant on October 30, 1942, at Luke Field, Arizona.[1]

Luksic was assigned to the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group, flying P-47 Thunderbolts[2] at Westover Field, Massachusetts, in January 1943. The squadron soon moved to Trumbull Field, Connecticut, and then Mitchel Field, New York in March, before deploying to England in July 1943.[1]

Flying ace

Luksic's squadron was attached to the Eight Air Force and stationed at RAF Bodney in Norfolk, England. In April 1944, his squadron transitioned to P-51 Mustangs. Luksic soon claimed his first two aerial victories.[1][3]

On May 8, 1944, First Lieutenant Luksic's flight attacked 15 German planes which were attacking friendly bombers. Luksic shot two down before he was separated from his flight, yet he managed to engage and shoot down a third plane, claiming ace status. He then rejoined two friendly planes and assisted in attacking 20 more enemy planes, claiming two more victories. Luksic then used the remainder of his ammunition to strafe and destroy four oil tank train cars. For his actions, Luksic was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross two days later. He was the first pilot attached to the Eight Air Force to become an ace in a day.[1][3][4][5]

Luksic claimed one more aerial victory and assisted in shooting down a ninth plane during the war. He also destroyed multiple enemy aircraft on the ground.[3]

Prisoner of war

On May 24, First Lieutenant Luksic was shot down over Germany. Luksic was discovered hiding in bushes by a German farmer, who turned him in to the German authorities. Luksic was subsequently taken to Stalag Luft III as a prisoner of war.[1][3]

After two failed attempts at escaping, Luksic successfully escaped from the camp with another soldier in March 1945. The two men spent 45 days walking through the woods. They scavenged and stole any food and supplies they could. Reaching the Rhine River, they made contact with a patrol from the 3rd Armored Division on April 18, thus ending their ordeal.[1][3]

Post-war career and life

Luksic returned to the United States in May. He returned to Luke Field as a flight instructor, and later instructed at Williams Field, Arizona, until October 1948. He later attended Central Gunnery School at RAF Leconfield in East Yorkshire, England, before serving as an instructor at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada until mid 1952.[1]

Throughout the 1950s, Major Luksic served as the commanding officer of several squadrons in Texas and Florida. He commanded several other squadrons in California and Florida during the early 1960s, and even served as South Korean Air Force advisor at Suwon Auxiliary Airfield. Lieutenant Colonel Luksic retired from the Air Force on December 1, 1969.[1][3]

Carl J. Luksic died in Panama City, Florida on May 29, 2009. He was subsequently buried in Panama City.[1][6]

References
  1. "Carl J. Luksic". Veteran Tributes.
  2. "Carl J Luksic". American Air Museum in Britain.
  3. "Carl John Luksic". Military Times.
  4. "Carl John Luksic Obituary". Panama City News Herald.
  5. Arthur Wyllie. "Army Air Force Victories".
  6. "LTC Carl John Luksic". Find A Grave.
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