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 Eighth 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. He 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]

Distinguished Service Cross citation

Luksic, Carl J

First Lieutenant, U.S Army Air Forces

487th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group, 8th Air Force

Date of Action: May 8, 1944

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

Citation:

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, 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 487th Fighter Squadron, 332nd 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.^[3]