Frederick Ludeking

LUDEKING

Posted By: AMK (email)
Date: 6/5/2010 at 08:52:53

Lt. Ludeking Killed During Japan Flight

Bulletin

Air Force First Lieutenant Frederick Ludeking, of Waukon, was killed in an aircraft accident in Japan Saturday, June 25, according to word received by his parents from the chief of air force personnel. The message was received at noon Tuesday.

__________________________________________________

A life long resident of Waukon, Air Force First Lieutenant Frederick Ludeking, son of Mr. and Mrs. R.H. Ludeking, has been reported missing on a flight between Yokota air base and Tokoyo, according to a telegram received by the Ludekings Monday.
Lt. Ludeking (Fritz as he was known to his family and friends) was reported missing on a flight June 26, after having just returned from a special mission to Formosa. According to information, he was piloting a F86D jet interceptor of the 41st fighter interceptor squadron, based at Yokota.
Ludeking entered the service three and one half years ago and had been stationed in Japan slightly more than one year.
The young pilot was born 25 years ago and went through school here, graduating from Waukon High school.
He later graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from Cornell college and was studying for an engineering degree at Iowa state college prior to entering the air force.
The air force telegram added no other details, just that Lt. Ludeking was missing on the ill fated flight. According to Brig. Gen. R.J.. Reeves, director of military personnel of the air force complete details were not learned.

Waukon Republican Standard
Tues 28 June 1955
Column 2 Page 1
Vol 87 No 26

Report finding Ludeking's Body; No Confirmation

Although no confirmation has been received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. R.H. Ludeking, a news service reported from Tokoyo that the body of First Lt. Frederick Ludeking air force pilot from Waukon had been recovered from the water off Japan.
The report stated the remains were picked up from the water by Japanese fishermen and it was speculated that Ludeking had been ejected from his disabled jet plane into the bay.
It is invariably the custom to notify next of kin first in situations of this sort and the family is at loss to explain why they have not received official word.
The family was informed that a memorial service for Lt. Ludeking was held in the chapel at Yokota airbase July 5. The chaplain included a description of the services.

Waukon Democrat
Thurs. 14 July 1955
Page 1 Column 6
Vol 76 No 28