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One of two Army Air Force pilots of the Douglas World Cruiser "Seattle." The Seattle crashed in Alaska on the first leg of the journey from Seattle.
Note: Yes, this is the same MG Frederick L. Martin who was relieved of command after the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. There are an erroneous references in some publications to a MG Frederick "S" Martin who does not exist.
The four planes took off from Seattle on April 4, 1924 and the "Chicago" and the "New Orleans" completed the around the world flight on 28 September 1924.
The four airplanes that participated on this adventure were numbered as follows.
1. The "Seattle" was plane #1 and was piloted by MAJ Frederick L. Martin and accompanied by mechanic Staff Sergeant Alva L. Harvey. This plane crashed into a mountain in Alaska on April 30, 1924. Both pilots survived the crash and made their way out of the wilderness to safety. The remains of the "Seattle" are on display at the Alaska Aviation Heritage museum.
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2. The "Chicago" was plane #2 and was piloted by Lt. Lowell H. Smith and Lt. Leslie P. Arnold. This plane, along with the "New Orleans" is one of the two airplanes that actually completed the journey around the world. The total distance traveled was 23,942 nautical miles ( _______________). The Chicago is on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
3. The "Boston I" and "Boston II" were plane #3 and were piloted by Lt. Leigh Wade and Lt. Henry H. Ogden. The "Boston I" was unable to continue the journey while over the Atlantic Ocean. The USS Richmond tried to recover the "Boston I" but it was damaged during the recovery process and sank. The "Boston II," the newly named test plane used before the journey, was flown to Nova Scotia and joined the "Chicago" and "New Orleans" on the rest of their journey to Seattle.
4. The "New Orleans" was plane #4 and was piloted by Lt. Eric. H. Nelson and Lt. Jack Harding, Jr. This plane, along with the "Chicago" is one of the two airplanes that actually completed the journey around the world. The total distance traveled was 23,942 nautical miles ( _______________). The New Orleans belongs to the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History.
Note: There was also an advance plane, a Curtiss PW8 Pursuit piloted by Lt. M. B. Moffet.
Other Comments:
He was born in Liberty, Ind., on Nov. 26, 1882. B.S. from Purdue in 1908. Commissioned in the Coast Artillery Corps in 1908. Director of military aeronautics, Washington, D.C., 1918-1919.
He transferred to the Air Service in 1920. Commanding officer of the Air Service around the world flight April 6-30, 1924. Graduated from Command and General Staff School in 1926 and Army War College in 1935.
He was promoted to brigadier general in January 1937. Commanding general of 3rd Wing, GHQ Air Force April 1937-October 1940. Promoted to Major General Oct. 1, 1940. Commanding general of Hawaiian Air Force November 1940-December 1941, Second Air Force February-May 1942, and 2nd District, Army Air Force Central Technical Training Command June 1942-January 1944.
He retired (disability in line of duty) in July 1944. Decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal and Legion of Merit. He died on Feb. 23, 1954.
"U.S. Air Force Historical Study No. 91: Biographical Data on Air Force General Officers, 1917-1952" completed by the USAF Historical Division, Air University, 1953
Biographical Dictionary of Word War II Generals and Flag Officers by R. Manning Ancell with Christine M. Miller.
