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High Desert Hangar Stories
Lockheed remembers its own – Part Two

by Bob Alvis Mack had two families at this time: the ones that carried his blood
special to Aerotech News lines, and the coworkers he and his family had worked beside at
Lockheed. Both families celebrated the victories of war together,
In the last installment of High Desert Hangar Stories, we learned of but also mourned the losses as one. On March 8, 1944 in battle-torn
a young aviation warrior’s youth and the journey of his family during Europe, two families — one of blood, the other of sweat — suffered
the turbulent times of World War II, as he and his family traveled a loss when young 1st Lt. Fluty was lost while flying a combat mis-
from Visalia to Lockheed Burbank to do their part for the war effort. sion. The first lieutenant, who was previously decorated for bravery
Young Mack Fluty had fulfilled his desire to join the ranks of in combat, had flown his last mission in this life. As the two families
American fighter pilots and was destined to fly combat in the Lock- mourned the loss of a beloved son and worker, the Lockheed family
heed P-38 Lightning, which he and his family had helped produce in put forth the effort that would ensure that Fluty’s spirit would take
Burbank in the early years of the war. See FLUTY, Page 11
Dear Mr. Fluty:
For a long time we searched for what would seem to us the one right way to express the honor and reverence
we owe to our former fellow workers who have gone forth from these factories to a war from which they will
not return. I hope we have found the way they themselves would prefer, and if it is not too much to hope, a way
which may bring some comfort to you.
A “Lightning” P-38 fighter plane, dedicated to Joseph McDaniel Fluty and bearing his name, has just been
delivered to the Air Force which will fight it in the same cause for which he gave his life. It bears an emblem – a
star of gold, with wings – and across it runs the Latin world “Resurgam” – “I shall rise again”.
His name upon this emblem means to us that this ship, which is the bravest and best we know how to build, will
be fought against the enemy by the strength of two men – a fighting pilot, and a valiant fighting spirit. Its Gold
Star emblem was fastened to it at the very beginning of our manufacturing operation. All down the assembly line
and through its final test, this Fighting Memorial plane received special and respectful attention from every man
and woman who touched it.
So I am sure that it is a better airplane even than most of our airplanes, and that it will be flown more truly and
surely in battle. I hope you will feel that by this memorial, the spirit of Joseph McDaniel Fluty is implemented
and will fight on to final victory and freedom in our good cause.
Will you please, in token of our respect and obligation to him and to you, accept these photographs in remem-
brance?
Most sincerely,
Robert E. Gross
President

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