(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.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Batallion:
61st Fighter SquadronRegiment:
56th Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction 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.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Batallion:
61st Fighter SquadronRegiment:
56th Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction 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.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Batallion:
61st Fighter SquadronRegiment:
56th Fighter GroupDivision:
Prisoner of War (Germany)Action Date:
May 24, 1944
NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 28403First 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.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Batallion:
61st Fighter SquadronRegiment:
56th Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction 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.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Batallion:
61st Fighter SquadronRegiment:
56th Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction 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.