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

_______________________________ 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

_____________________________ 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

___________________________ 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