Medal, National Aeronautic Association, Lowell Smith, Douglas World Cruiser
In 1924, a flight of four U.S. Army Air Service aircraft attempted to complete the first circumnavigation of the globe by air. The World Flight that officially began in Seattle, Washington on April 6, 1924 ended 175 days later on September 28. The flight made 74 stops and covered over 27,553 miles. Of the original four aircraft to start the trip, only two completed the circuit. The aircraft over flew the all of the world's oceans and encountered climatic extremes from the Arctic to the tropics.
This table medal was presented to the commander of the World Flight, Lt. Lowell Smith, by the National Aeronautic Association.
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
1924
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
AWARDS-Medals & Ribbons
Physical Description
Bronze National Aeronautic Association oval table medal; Obverse: relief of the globe and three aircraft depicted; embossed text "AMERICA FIRST IN THE AIR AROUND THE WORLD 1924"; Reverse: Inscription "Presented to Lieut. Lowell H. Smith as a Token of the National Aeronautic Association's Recognition of the First Circumnavigation of the World by Airplane Oct. 3, 1924 to Lowell Smith"
Dimensions
3-D: 8.1 × 0.4 × 12.9cm (3 3/16 × 3/16 × 5 1/16 in.)
Materials
Overall: Bronze
Inventory Number
A19840684000
Credit Line
Donated by Mrs. Lowell H. Smith
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use.
