The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-06-19
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER
READ.

! the navy aviation corps, transatlantic
| flyer whose recent feat, won the ad-
miration of two continents is given by
| the New York Sun.
Mr.. Read was trained for the aerial
| branch Of the service in Pensacola later
| went to Miami where he married a
/ Florida girl, Miss Bess Burdine. The
account of his family his boyhood am
sbitions and their realization viii inter
est scores of friends here and through
/ out the state.
| You felt like letting out a few rous-
ing ante-July whoops yourself, when
| you read that Lieutenant Commander
| A. G. Read, of the United States navy
| had bridged the Atlantic in a flying
machine" says the Sun.
| Imagine how much how much
| greater was the joy of two women who,
! in their home in Washington. d. c.,
anxiously had been awaiting such news
since the daring officer set out from
Newfoundland in the NC-4. And when
the word finally was borne them that
he had arrived in Plymouth. England.
there were smiles on the faces of the
wife and mother, but, also, there were
I tears in their eyes.
sOh. I'm SO thankful" cried the
mother of the naval airrnan, Mrs. Eliz-
abeth Read. Il knew he'd do it, but
it's a great relief to know that he
has had no mishap. Thank God!"
"It's just splendid" declared the Of
ficer's wife, when she was informed of
his success by a representative of the
Washington Star. Il have not been
afraid, because he was so confident
himself. 1t was glorious opportunity,
and 1 am proud he measured up to
the navy's trust in him."
Az I...l
some of the details of the officers
life. Mrs. Elizabeth Read could tell
the most, for she has known him all
Ibis 80 years, while the wife became a
bride only sixteen months ago. She
was Miss BesS Burdine, of Miami, Fla.
AID was married to Commander Read
while he was commandant of the naval
flying station at Miami, in January.
1918.
This pioneer in the ocean spanning
aviation is the son of a Baptist min
lister.
Incidentally Commander Reads
mother, who moved to Washington
about five years ago from South Han
son, Mass, has been hurt because press
dispatches from Los Angeles gave the
honor of being the mother of the hero
to another, according to the Washing
ton Star. Mrs. G. o. Brooks. living
in SawtelIe, Cal, had been quoted as
rejoicing over the success of Comman-
der Read, and declaring he was her
son, saying she had dreamed OF his
flying overseas ahead of the others.
The commanders real mother had no
such dreams. She merely kissed him
good bye and wished him "Godspeed,"
she said.
Read was born in Lyme, n. H.
March g. 1887. After sixteen years of
changing about from town to town
in New England as his father was cali
ed to different pastorates, the father
died A few months later the boy was
admitted to the naval academy at An
tnapolis.
HE was always studious, his mothv- |
says, but loved to play all boys games. !
<He was especially fond of baseball and |
of croquet, which was played scientific |
lcaIIy in those days. His favorite study /
has always been mathematics. He was /
active at work or at play, full of vital |
ity and always quick.
He has a very keen eye, and think |
that has helped him to be good fly
'er," said his mother.
, And our little son has the same sort
of eyes," Reads wife added.
Thus is introduced Master Albert
Gushing Read, Jr., months old, who
isn't vet able to talk but VINO mas been
waving his hands quite strenuously
ever since his mother whispered the
news to him.
Commander Read is a home man
both his mother and wife testify to
this.
His ambition for a career in the
navy was inspired by his mothers
brother, Rear Admiral Albert Baker,
for whom he was named, and who died |
in Washington two years ago.
''Throughout his entire course in An
he was an excellent and thor
ough student and was graduated as one
of the honor men of his class.
probably the best sidelight on his
maturing years in the naval academy
is found in THE Lucky Bag" the 1907
nickname was Putty Here is a pat
of what the Lucky Bag records:
ALBERT Cushing Read, South
Hanson, Mass. Putty"
He is retired as moontide dew.
Or fountain in a monday grove.
Woodwork.
"a duier. unassuming man Of
small stature. with an oversupply
of savoir, which appears in an
easy don't care" manner. Has a
proud record of patience and good
nature. Used to have an aver
sion to society, but contracted the
hop habit in its most aggravated
form"
1-zxH~r nrN