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.

Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.

Object Details

Date

1919

Country of Origin

United States of America

Type

AWARDS-Medals & Ribbons

Physical Description

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"

Dimensions

3-D: 0.5 × 6.4cm, 0.1kg (3/16 × 2 1/2 in., 3/16lb.)

Materials

Overall: Silver

Inventory Number

A19640221000

Credit Line

Donated by the Institute of Aeronautical Sciences Inc.

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

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