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Knights Without Parachutes — frederick libby

World War 1 Armistice Day Centenary

147th aero squadron 94th aero squadron alvin york armistice eddie rickenbacker ernst udet eugene bullard frederick libby influenza jimmy doolittle luckiest man alive us enters war wwi

World War 1 Armistice Day Centenary

"I glanced at my watch. One minute to 11:00, thirty seconds, fifteen. And then it was 11:00 A.M., the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. I was the only audience for the greatest show ever presented." 

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Flying the Flag: Frederick Libby Raises Funds

frederick libby

Flying the Flag: Frederick Libby Raises Funds

Libby as described in Flying's quote from the New York Tribune ("a timid young officer," "cheeks burning with embarrassment," "Libby still tried to hide behind it with the shame that every real hero seems to have for his own valor") is unrecognizable as the same wild Colorado cowboy

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What to Do When Your Ammo is on Fire

eddie rickenbacker ernst udet frederick libby red baron

What to Do When Your Ammo is on Fire

There are many dangers in being high in the air in a craft made of wood, canvas, and dope, carrying a load of fuel, powered by what is supposed to be a smooth series of explosions in the engine, and creating other explosions by firing a gun.

One effect of all those explosions is that the engine and the gun can get rather hot.

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Influenza and WW1, and WW2

field kindley frederick libby hap arnold influenza

Influenza and WW1, and WW2

Although the effect of the flu was supposed to be a state secret for the same reason that nations talk about troop readiness only in positive terms, seeing so many sick and dying would erode anyone's feistiness. It is notable that the Armistice came so soon after the peak of flu deaths.

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Stephen Thompson Scores One For the US

frederick libby stephen thompson us enters war

Stephen Thompson Scores One For the US

So now we have a victory by an American after his government has actually declared war and who is part of an American squadron. The first all-American victory by the first all-American pilot! Well...no. 

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