A pilot who pioneered both military and commercial flying, Captain "Brick" Maxwell joined Pan Am in 1936 as a flying boat pilot. His distinguished 45- year career includes a reputation for split- second flying precision, a leading role in the development of U.S. Naval aviation and management of airline operations. While serving as assistant chief pilot for Pan Am in the Pacific in 1943, he performed a rescue feat still remembered and talked about by pioneer pilots when made the first deliberate landing and take-off of a large flying boat, in heavy seas, in order to rescue the crew of a downed flying boat.
He was a leading figure in trail-blazing flights across the Pacific. He helped re-establish post war service to New Zealand, the Philippines and other Orient points His survey flights pioneered many areas of the Pacific, including the northwest route to the orient known as the Great Circle Route and the route to Australia. He was in command of the Lockheed Constellation that made the first flight from Shanghai to San Francisco in 1946 and commanded the Clipper "America" on its flight from Calcutta to San Francisco, inaugurating Pan Am's round the world service. During the North African campaign of 1942, Captain Maxwell, lead an operation which flew fuel, ammunition and other supplies from West Africa to British Forces making their stand at El Alamein. As a top management official with Pan Am, he greatly influenced the airlines introduction of the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC 8 jet transports and the Boeing 747-Superjet. At Pan Am he has served with distinction as a line pilot, chief pilot, operations manager, division manager, Vice President- Operations and Senior Vice President Operations. Captain Maxwell has been an inspiration to all who have known or worked with him at Pan Am and throughout the industry. His many contributions, sound judgment, leadership and integrity will be surly missed as he commences his well deserved retirement.