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Auction: 20002 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Space Exploration
Lot: 586

(x) The historic M.C. awarded to Captain F. 'The Flying Cowboy' Libby, Royal Flying Corps, Canadian Army and Air Service, United States Army - the first American to gain Ace status, he clocked up no less than 14 victories during the Great War

Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse contemporarily engraved 'For conspicuous gallantry and continuous good work in engaging and destroying enemy aircraft. His Majesty the King has seen fit to award the Military Cross to Lieut. Frederick Libby 11th Squadron RFC Dec 13th,1916.', lacking suspension, very fine

Provenance:
Purchased from the family of Libby after his death in Los Angeles in the 1970s. Sold together with a letter from the vendor stating this.

M.C. London Gazette 14 November 1916:

'For conspicuous gallantry in action. As Observer he, with his pilot, attacked four hostile machines and shot one down. He has previously shot down four enemy machines.'

Frederick Libby was born on 15 July 1891 at Sterling, Colorado and worked as a cowboy before joining the Canadian Army on the outbreak of the Great War. He initially became a Medical Orderly and soonafter saw active service in France. By the spring of 1916 he volunteered to become an Observer in the Royal Flying Corps. Libby joined No.23 Squadron, flying F.E.2bs out of RFC Le Hameau. On his first operation on 15 July 1916 (his 25th birthday) he shot down an Ago CII at Bapaume. In August he was transferred to No.11 Squadron, which was awash with some of the most famous names of aviation. Libby took little time in establishing his name, scoring three victories in one evening combat on 22 August and earning Ace status on 25 August, making him America's first Ace. In November 1916, with his score at ten enemy aircraft and the award of the Military Cross, he was sent back to the UK for pilot training. In April 1917 Libby returned to France, joining No. 43 Squadron flying Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutters. In July he was promoted to Captain and appointed a Flight Commander, and made two further claims. In August he was transferred again, to No. 25 Squadron flying De Havilland D.H.4 bombers. He made two further claims with this unit, before being transferred to the Air Service, United States Army in September 1917.

His final score rests at 14 but is recognised to perhaps be as high as 24. His transfer came at the request of General Billy Mitchell. He returned to the United States and reclaimed his citizenship. He participated in the Liberty Loan drive by auctioning off his flight streamers. Libby joined 22nd Aero Squadron at Hicks Field in Texas, but was suffering from chronic back pain and was found to be permanently disabled by ankylosing spondylitis and judged medically unfit for further military service.

Despite Doctors suggesting he wouldn't see forty, Libby went on to become an oil prospector, established Western Airlines (later joined with Delta) and died in Los Angeles on 9 January 1970. His autobiography Horses Don't Fly was published after his death.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£2,700

Starting price
£2500