What English war hero, born on this day in 1892, flew, along with his navigator, Arthur Whitten Brown, the first non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean? They traveled from St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, to Clifden, Ireland in a modified Vickers Vimy bomber. During the 16-hour- and-12 minute flight, on June 15, 1919, they encountered numerous challenges, including dense fog, iced-wings, and strong winds.
Their remarkable achievement brought the two aviators international acclaim and paved the way for future long-distance flights, including Charles Lindbergh’s first solo transatlantic flight in 1927. The two Brits were awarded the Daily Mail prize of £10,000 in recognition of their historic achievement. Both men were knighted by King George V, becoming the first British pilots to receive this honor.
