Luke Air Force Base in Glendale in Maricopa County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

SPAD XIII

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, January 19, 2026

1. SPAD XIII Marker

Inscription. The French-built SPAD XIII equipped 16 U.S. Air Service pursuit squadrons in World War I, including Là Frank Luke Jr's 27th Aero Squadron. The SPAD XIII had a 200-horsepower engine and attained a top speed of 130 miles per hour. It had two synchronized Vickers machine guns for armament. Lt Luke, a Phoenix native, downed 18 enemy aircraft and balloons in 17 days of aerial combat in his SPAD XII. His exploits made him the first American aviator to win the Medal of Honor.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World I.

Location. 33° 32.4′ N, 112° 21.645′ W. Marker is in Glendale, Arizona, in Maricopa County. It is in Luke Air Force Base. It is on Falcon Street east of North 140th Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Luke Air Force Base AZ 85309, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert,

in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area,

and in the Tohono O’odham Nation.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western

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Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Gadsden Purchase,

and Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Barry M. Goldwater Range (a few steps from this marker); North American F-100C Super Sabre (a few steps from this marker); Republic F-84F Thunderstreak (a few steps from this marker); North American AT-6 Texan (within shouting distance of this marker); North American F-86F Sabre (within shouting distance of this marker); McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II (within shouting distance of this marker); McDonnell Douglas F-15B Eagle (within shouting distance of this marker); Medal of Honor Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Glendale.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, January 19, 2026

2. SPAD XIII Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2026, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 39 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 22, 2026, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.