New-York tribune., 1919-05-17
u. S. Ocean Filters
FIoaUer of the Macy
Most Of Them Were Kept
Out Of War by Their
Value as Instructors

The men who are attempting the
epochmaking flight across the Atlantic
in the naval seaplanes which left New.
foundland for the Azores yesterday
have been chosen from the best pilots
in the naval service Two of the COM
manders are pioneers in the art Of hv
ing and have seen remarkable careers
in the navy. All, with one exception.
failed to see active service during the
war. This was chiefly due to their ex-
cellence as pilots, which caused their
commanders to utilize their services as
The service records of the men are
as follows:
CREW OF THE NC-I
Lieutenant-Commander Patrick Mel
son Lynch Bellinger, commanding Of
fcer of crew No. 3, is the only officer
IN the navy who has commanded craft
beneath the surface of the seas, on the
seas and above he seas. He was also
one of the first naval aviators. He was
the first American aviator to fly over
hostile lines.
He was born at Cheraw, S. c.. Octo-
coi o. Ioou, ana eHLereU the Naval
Academy as midshipman June %, 1903,
Alter service on several warships he
was sent to the Atlantic submarine
fotilla for instruction April 13, 1912,
and later placed in command of the
submarine Ca. In November of the
same year he was detailed for instruc-
tlon in aviation, and in January. 1918,
went to help establish the aviation
camp at Guantanamo, Cuba.
he was the first of the naval aviators
to reach Vera Cruz in April, 1914, and
Immediately flew over the Mexican
lines. During the present war he
served as a, seapiane pilot aboard the
North Carolina. From November last
year until appointed to the transat-
lantic flight Commander Belinger
commanded the naval air station at
Hampton Roads
Immediately the plans for the trans
atlantic flight were decided upon Com
mander Bellinger was sent in a de-
stroyer to select Z suitable site for a
jumping off place in Newfoundland.
lie 1t was who decided upon Trepassey
Bay.
Lieutenant Commander Marc Andrew
Mitscher was born at Hillsboro. Wis.
January 20. 1887. He entered the Naval
Academy as mdshipman July 9. 1904.
He served on several warships until
June 8, 1916, when he learned to fly
at Pensacola, Fla. He has been in
command of several naval air stations.
Lieutenant l.. T. Barin was born at
Portland, Ore, August 20, 1890, and
received his commission in the naval
volunteers June 8, 1917. He has served
at various naval air stations. Leuten-
ant Barln is making the flight despite
sprained right wrist which he sus-
tained while handling his ship in
Halifax
Lieutenant Harry Sadenwater. radio
operator of Crew 3, was born in Brook
lyn. September 3. 1894. He obtained
provisional commission as Ensign.
April "a, 1917, winning his pilots
wings in May the following year.
Chief Machinist's Mate Irwin Kesler
has served several ~nlistments in tho
navy, which he FIRST joined January &,
1905, at Dayton. ohio. He was born
at Eton. Ohio, March 8, 1882. Kesler
has flown in seaplanes and dirigibles.
he also took course as aviation
engineer at the Navy Gas Engine
School, Columbia University
Machinist Rasmus Christensen, re-
serve pilot engineer of Crew 8, was
born in Norway at Tornbull, March
2o, 1883. He was appointed a tempo
rary machinst while serving as an
enlisted man at the Anacostia, D. c..
naval air station.
CREW OF THE NC-3
+; Commander John II. Towers, ofieer
in charge Of the hight and command
of crow No. I, was born at Rome. Ga.