It was not quite one month after the Red Baron's death and ceremonious burial by his enemies, that America's Ace of Aces was laid to rest among a "huge pyramid" of flowers, with "hundreds of officers from all branches of the service" in attendance.
There is a peculiar gratification in receiving congratulations from one's squadron for a victory in the air. It is worth more to a pilot than the applause of the whole outside world.
Lufbery shepherded innocent lambs such as Campbell and Rickenbacker, and both showed themselves worth the trouble, as Campbell would soon become the first all-American ace and Rickenbacker would go on to succeed Lufbery as American Ace of Aces, piling up victories faster than anyone else in the final months of the war.
"As the winter deepens, air traffic slows down. There is much rain and snow. Even on dry days the heavy clouds drift so low that no takeoffs are ordered. We sit around in our rooms. I am quartered in the country house of a lace manufacturer."
