Raoul
Lufbery
Name: Gervais Raoul
Lufbery
County: United States
Rank: Major
Services: French Air Service, United States Air Service
Units: VB106, N124 (FAS), 94th Aero (USAS)
Victories: 16
Date Of Birth: 14 March 1885
Place of Birth: Chamalieres, France
Date Of Death: 19 May 1918
Place of Death: Maron, north of Nancy
Buried: Lafayette Memorial du Parc de Garches Paris, France
Born in France, Lufbery emigrated to the United States with his
family when he was six years old. When the war began, he was back
in France where he enlisted in the French Air Service. Serving
first as a mechanic and then as a reconnaissance pilot, he soon
moved on to single-seat fighters. Lufbery spent almost four years
in the French Air Service and the Lafayette Escadrille before
joining the United States Air Service as an instructor. Idolized
by his subordinates and revered by his peers, he was killed in
action as he attempted to down a German Rumpler north of Nancy.
Hit by enemy fire, his Nieuport 28 suddenly flipped over and
Lufbery was seen to fall from the aircraft. The following day, in
an impressive funeral that was witnessed by hundreds and recorded
on film, Lufbery was buried in the cemetery at the Sebastopol
Hospital. In the village of Maron, near the Moselle River, a
bronze tablet marks the place where he fell. Lufbery's remains
were later moved to Lafayette Memorial du Parc de Garches in
Paris. Raoul Lufbery was enshrined in the National Aviation Hall
of Fame in 1998. Raoul Lufbery IV is currently an active duty
officer in the USAF.
Médaille Militaire "A model of skill, sangfroid and
courage. He has distinguished himself through the numerous long
distance bombardments and by the daily combats which he has with
enemy planes. On July 31, 1916, he never hesitated to attack at
close range, a group of four enemy planes. He shot down one of
them near our lines. He succeeded in downing another on August 4,
1916."
Médaille Militaire citation Légion d'Honneur
"He enlisted under the French colours for the duration of the war.
Has given proof as a pursuit pilot of remarkable audacity and has
shot down up to December 27, 1916, six enemy aircraft. Already
cited twice in orders and has the Médaille Militaire." Legion
d'Honneur citation.