The sun., 1919-05-18
READ, FIRST ACROSS
OCEAN, is ONLY 81
New Highlander, in Aviation
Four Years, Wins His Pro-
motions Rapidly.
TOWERS AN AIR PIONEER
Bellinger in Naval Air Service
Since 1912 and Has Had
Wide Experience.

As Italy claims Columbus. the naviga-
borne craft so New Hampshire takes
to herself the credit for mothering
Lieut. Commander Albert Gushing Read
the daring skipper of the NC-4, which
viii go down into history as the premier
air craft to successfully accomplish
transoceanic flight from the new world
discovered by the Italian. TO the old one
from which he set sail almost four and
a half centuries ago.
Lieut.. Commander Read was born at
Lyme. a little village on the Connecticut
River in the Granite State, March 20.
1887. He lived the normal life of New
England childhood and. later. his people
moved southwark to Massachusetts. from
which state a cadetship was given to
him in the Naval Academy al Annapolis
July 5, 1903
His early service was on the battle
ships Massachusetts Indiana and Ar
kansas, and one on the old wooden Hart
ford. once Admiral Farragut's flagship
at Mobile Bay. In November, 1908, he
was detached from the Ohio and ordered
to report for duty to the commander of
the Third Squadron OF the Pacific feet.
He was assigned to the destroyer De-
cafur.
Midshipman Read was made an Ensign
February ., 1909, and he continued on
the Pacific station in the destroyers
Barry and Bainbridge until August %.
1911, when he was detached from the
latter while lying in Nagasaki Harbor
and ordered home to await orders. He
sailed for the United States September
IL and, two days later his promotion TO
the rank of Lieutenant, Junior grade,
was announced. His next jump. to the
rank of full Lieutenant, happened on
July /, 1918.
The young officers first official con-
nection with the naval flying service was
on June 40, 1915. when he was detached
from duty at the Torpedo Station at
Newport and ordered to the Naval Aero
nautic Station at Pensacola. Fla, for
duty under instruction in aeronautics.
He was designated student naval avia-
tor the following month. on May %.
the next year. he was detached from the
Pensacola station and assigned to the
battleship North Carolina
becomes a Naval Aviator.
His progress in airmanship had been
no satisfactory that advancement to the
grade Of Naval Aviator was eimultane-
GUS He was ordered from the North
CAROLINA to the Washington-her name
was changed to the Seattle while he was
with the cruiser-and then, on June 5.
1917. he was again detached and sent to
the aviation station at Bay Shore. L. L..
Of which he became the commander a
fortnight later. Scores. OF young naval
aviators there received their training
under his direction and his record for
energy and efficiency rapidly became an
enviable one. He was later sent to the
naval air station at Miami, Fla. where
he continued TO serve until he was or
Gered TO the Office OF the chief OF naval
serving in connection with
the carnouhage of seaplanes at Hampton
Roads.
Temporary rank as Lieutenant-Com-
mander was bestowed July l. 1918, and
was followed by duty at Garden City,
Bay Shore, Port Washington and Akron,
Ohio. His rank was made regular to
date from July l. 1sls--on March 81 OF
this year. and he WAS ordered TO report
TO the commander of the NC seaplane
division for duty in connection with the
transatlantic flight He has devoted
himself exclusively since then to prepa-
ration for the feat he successfully &C
complished yesterday.
Commander John Henry Towers
leader OF the transatlantic fiers, was one
Of the first three American naval officer.
TO ny. He was selected by the Navy
Department for the coveted although
dangerous. honor Of arranging and car
rying out the ambitious flight plans be-
cause he Is of that rare type OF man, ar
expert practical fiier with a most extern.
sive theoretical knowledge Of the science
of aviation. He is only "a years old
one Of the youngest commanders in the
navy.
Born'in the small inland city OF Rome
Ga, on January 3, 1885. his thoughts
like the thoughts of many boys Of places
remote from the ocean. turned seward
When II years old he obtained an ap-
pointment as midshipman and went &c
Annapolis. He received his first com
mission on February IS, 1906. and served
on the battleship Kentucky and Other
- naval craft until detached in August
qs0s. He later served on the Michigan
u was while on this ship that he re.