Lou Spence (1917–1950) was a fighter pilot and squadron commander in
the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II and the Korean War.
In 1941 he was posted to North Africa with No. 3 Squadron, which
operated P-40 Tomahawks and Kittyhawks; he was credited with shooting
down two German aircraft and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross
(DFC). He commanded No. 452 Squadron in 1944, flying Supermarine
Spitfires in defence of Australia's North-Western Area against the
Japanese, and was mentioned in despatches. In February 1950 he took
command of No. 77 Squadron, operating P-51 Mustangs as part of the
British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan. He led his squadron in
the opening months of the Korean War, and was awarded a bar to his DFC,
as well as the US Legion of Merit and the US Air Medal, for his
leadership. Spence was killed during a low-level mission over South
Korea in September 1950.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Spence>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1761:
Lisbon experienced its second major earthquake in six years,
with effects felt as far north as Scotland.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1761_Lisbon_earthquake>
1889:
The Eiffel Tower in Paris was inaugurated.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eiffel_Tower>
1921:
The Australian Air Force was formed, replacing the short-lived
Australian Air Corps and separating it from the army.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Australian_Air_Force>
1995:
American singer-songwriter Selena, known as the "queen of
Tejano music", was murdered by the president of her fan club, Yolanda
Saldívar, in Corpus Christi, Texas, deeply affecting the Latino
community.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Selena>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
verklempt:
1. (US, colloquial) Overcome with emotion, choked up.
2. (US, colloquial) Flustered, nervous, overwhelmed.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/verklempt>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
One does not fall "in" or "out" of love. One grows in love.
--Leo Buscaglia
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Leo_Buscaglia>