Near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Orville and Wilbur Wright made
the first successful flight in history of a self-propelled, heavier-
than-air aircraft on December 17, 1903.
Orville piloted the gasoline-powered, propeller-driven biplane,
which stayed aloft for 12 seconds and covered 120 feet on its
inaugural flight.
The John W. Berry, Sr. Wright Brothers National Museum
in Dayton. Ohio.
Alton Glen "Glenn" Miller
(March 1, 1904 – December 15, 1944)
After departing from an airfield outside London on December
15, 1944, a single-engine aircraft carrying trombonist and
bandleader Glenn Miller went missing over the English
Channel.
Miller was traveling to France for a congratulatory performance
for American troops that had recently helped to liberate Paris.
The wreckage of Miller’s plane was never found. His official
military status remains Missing in Action.
A U.S. Army Air Forces Noorduyn UC-64A Norseman
from the 3rd Air Commando Group.
Published in 1939.
On its final approach to Madison, Wisconsin on December 10,
1967, the private plane carrying soul-music legend Otis Redding
would crash into the frigid waters of a small lake three miles
short of the runway, killing seven of the eight men aboard,
including Redding.
His megahit “Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay” would be released
in its “unfinished” form several weeks later. It would soon
become history’s first posthumous #1 hit and the biggest pop
hit of Redding’s career.
Rare and incredible color photographs of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The USS Oglala capsized at her dock. Maryland and the
capsized Oklahoma can be seen in background.
USS Arizona.
At 2:10 p.m. on December 5, 1945, five U.S. Navy Avenger
torpedo-bombers comprising Flight 19 took off from the Ft.
Lauderdale Naval Air Station in Florida on a routine three-
hour training mission.
After having completed their objective, the flight was to go
due east for an additional 67 miles, then turn north for 73
miles, and back to the air station after that, totaling a
distance of 120 miles. They never returned.
Two hours after the flight began, the leader of the squadron,
who had been flying in the area for more than six months,
reported that his compass and backup compass had failed
and that his position was unknown.
The other planes experienced similar instrument malfunctions
and radio facilities on land were contacted to find the location
of the lost squadron, but none were successful.
After two more hours of confused messages from the fliers,
a distorted radio transmission from the squadron leader was
heard at 6:20 p.m., apparently calling for his men to prepare
to ditch their aircraft simultaneously because of lack of fuel.
