johntowers

Naval Aviator No. 3, John H. Towers See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Henry_Towers

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Henry_Towers "John Henry Towers (January 30, 1885 – April 30, 1955) was a United States Navy admiral and pioneer naval aviator. He made important contributions to the technical and organizational development of naval aviation from its very beginnings, eventually serving as Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics (1939–1942). He commanded carrier task forces during World War II, and retired in December 1947. " "In 1919, then-Commander Towers proposed, planned and led the first air crossing of the Atlantic. Planning for the mission actually began during the early years of World War I, when Allied shipping was threatened by submarine warfare, but could not be accomplished prior to the war's end. The flying expedition began on 8 May 1919 when three Curtiss NC Flying Boats, designated NC-1, NC-3 and NC-4, left Naval Air Station Rockaway, New York, The aircraft made intermediate stops in Chatham, Massachusetts and Halifax, Nova Scotia before reaching Trepassey, Newfoundland on 15 May 1919. On 16 May they left for the longest leg of their journey, to the Azores. NC-1 and the NC-3 were both forced to land in heavy seas due to dense fog, and neither could take off again. NC-1 subsequently began taking on water and the crew was rescued by the Greek freighter Ionia The crew of the NC-3, including Towers, managed to keep the NC-3 afloat for 52 hours, water taxiing the craft over 200 miles to Punta Delgada on Sao Miguel Island. NC-4 went on to complete the transatlantic crossing, arriving at Lisbon on 27 May. For his leadership in the operation, Towers was awarded the Navy Cross. Ten years later, Towers and the flight crew of NC-4 were awarded Congressional Gold Medals."

See also www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/31788348776/ www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/4953636101/

And a later portrait by Harris & Ewing held by LoC: www.loc.gov/pictures/resource/hec.21797/

Thank you swanq and B-59 for information on the pioneer aviator John Henry Towers. We will add more information when we update.

Here's raw footage of John Towers interviewed in 1953 about his role in early naval aviation for the United Aircraft Corporation (later "United Technologies") documentary film, "We Saw It Happen." YouTube: Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum - We Saw It Happen: John Towers

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