Silver Medal of Congress Curtiss NC-4. Obverse: relief of a seagull depicted, embossed text "FIRST TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT UNITED STATES NAVY MAY 1919". Reverse: embossed text "J. H. TOWERS, A. C. READ, E. F. STONE, W. HINTON, H. C. RODD, J. L. BREESE, E. RHODES, PRESENTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE NAME OF THE CONGRESS, NEWFOUNDLAND NC-4 PORTUGAL"
Summary:
President Woodrow Wilson presented this medal on behalf of Congress to NC-4's crew and planners for the first transatlantic flight. The airmen were hailed as heroes, but their 24-day adventure was soon obscured by a blizzard of aviation records set by others.
Credit Line:
Donated by the Institute of Aeronautical Sciences Inc.
