Wings Across Nation -- September 4, 2022

San Francisco Examiner, 06-September-1922

Aviator Jimmy Doolittle, who was born in Alameda, was a hero long before he led the Doolittle Raid against Japan. 100 years ago, in September 1922, he flew an Airco (de Havilland) DH.4 from Florida to California with only one stop and in less than 24 hours. 

FLYER MAKES

BUT ONE STOP

CROSSING U.S.

Lieutenant Doolittle of Army

Sets Record in Winging Way

From Florida to San Diego

Only Pause Made at San Antonio;

Journey of 2,100 Miles Made

in 21 Hours and 20 Minutes

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 5. -- (By Universal Service.) -- Breaking all records for coast-to-coast flying, Lieutenant James H. Doolittle, U.S.A., was banqueted in San Diego this evening after having dined at Jacksonville, Fla., last night. The intrepid aviator hopped off from the Atlantic coast at 10:30 last night and arrived at Rockwell Field, San Diego, at 5:34 this evening, with but one stop en route.

The elapsed time for the 2,100-mile flight by Lieutenant Doolittle was 21 Hours and 20 minutes. The big De Havilland plane landed at Kelly Field, San Antonio, this morning for an hour of overhauling and refueling and then took the air direct to San Diego.

In addition to marking an epoch in transcontinental transportation the flight was remarkable in that it was entirely without mishap, Lieutenant Doolittle said tonight.

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SAN ANTONIO (TEX.), Sept. 5. -- (By Associated Press.) -- Lieut. James H. Doolittle, Kelly Field aviator, who hopped off here at 8:23 a. m. for San Diego, in an effort to span the mileage between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts within 24 hours' time, is the third United States army flyer to attempt the flight.

The first attempt at transcontinental flying in 24 hours' time failed before it really started. Lieut. Alexander Pearson, in flying from California preparatory to staring, was lost in February, 1921, over the Big Bend country in Texas and before he found a comparatively safe place to land had crossed the border into Mexico. Several days later he rode on a mule into the little Texas town of Sanderson with a harrowing tale of his experiences in Mexico.

March 24, 1921, Lieutenant W. D. Coney left Pablo Beach, Florida, in a one-stop flight to San Diego, but early on the following morning his plane fell while over Louisiana, seriously injuring the pilot. On March 30 he died.

With a strong wind behind him, Doolittle reached Kelly Field, which is just outside of San Antonio, at 7:10 this morning, covering the 1,100 miles in less than nine hours.

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