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Navy Federal Credit Union
Carl
John
Luksic
POW (WWII) Escapee
June 20, 1921

–

May 24, 2009

Cemetery:

Garden of Memories Cemetery

Prior to his DSC mission in which he became an ACE-in-a-DAY, Carl Luksic had been credited with 2 aerial victories, and he claimed 1.5 more in missions following, to end the war as an ACE credited with 8.5 victories. On May 24, 1944, he was shot down over Germany. Hiding in underbrush, he was found by a farmer who turned him in to German authorities and subsequently interned as a Prisoner of War. He spent nearly 11 months in camps and attempted to escape twice before a successful third attempt in which he and a fellow soldier traveled through the woods, living off the wilderness and what they could steal, for 45 days. Finally, at the Rhine River, a patrol from the 3rd Armor Division picked them up. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, and retired in 1969 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    61st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    56th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    May 8, 1944

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Carl John Luksic (ASN: 0-732289), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-51 Fighter Pilot of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    61st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    56th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    May 8, 1944

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Carl John Luksic (ASN: 0-732289), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-51 Fighter Pilot of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    61st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    56th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    May 8, 1944

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Carl John Luksic (ASN: 0-732289), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-51 Fighter Pilot of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    61st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    56th Fighter Group

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Germany)

    Action Date:

    May 24, 1944
    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 28403

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Carl John Luksic (ASN: 0-732289), United States Army Air Forces, was captured by German forces after he was shot down on 24 May 1944, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his successful escape from captivity in March 1945. He reached friendly lines and was returned to U.S. Military Control on 18 April 1945.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    61st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    56th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    May 8, 1944

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Carl John Luksic (ASN: 0-732289), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-51 Fighter Pilot of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    61st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    56th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    May 8, 1944
    Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 28 (May 10, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Carl John Luksic (ASN: 0-732289), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 8 May 1944, in the European Theater of Operations. On this date Lieutenant Luksic with his flight attacked and dispersed a force of more than fifteen enemy fighters which were engaging a friendly bomber formation and through the aggressiveness of his attack destroyed two enemy planes. Finding himself separated from his flight, he fearlessly continued his attacks and destroyed a third enemy plane. He then joined two friendly fighters and led them in determined attack against more than twenty enemy fighters, and running short of fuel and ammunition, Lieutenant Luksic displayed further will and determination to damage the enemy by expending his remaining ammunition in destroying four oil tank cars on a railway siding. The extraordinary heroism and aggressiveness displayed by Lieutenant Luksic in the face of overwhelming odds reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.