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.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
1919
United States of America
AWARDS-Medals & Ribbons
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"
3-D: 0.5 × 6.4cm, 0.1kg (3/16 × 2 1/2 in., 3/16lb.)
Overall: Silver
A19640221000
Donated by the Institute of Aeronautical Sciences Inc.
National Air and Space Museum
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