A SPAD XIII Fighter flown by Frank Luke, Jr. Frank Luke Jr. (May 19, 1897 in Phoenix, Arizona Ð September 29, 1918 near Murvaux France) was an American fighter ace, ranking second among U.S. Air Service pilots to Eddie Rickenbacker in number of aerial victories during World War I. Frank Luke is a recipient of the Medal of Honor. Luke Air Force Base, an important training site for Air Force aviators since WWII, was named in honor of Lt. Luke.