Evening star., 1928-04-28
BENNETT IS BURIED
IN HEROES HAVEN
Air Adventurer Who Gave Life
for Others Given Mill
tary HonorS.

Nachnist Floyd Bennett, first to wing
his way over the North Pole, and Ad-
niral Pesry, first to trudge his way by
dog team to that fearful goal Of Arctic
explorers, lie side by side today in
Arlington Cemetery. where sleep the
Nations brave.
The youthful warrant officer, whose
notable career was cut short ON the eve
Of probably greater adventures in the
Antarctic was laid 10 rest beneath the
rsin-drenched sod Of an Arlington hill
side, while dignitarieS Of three nations
Joined with Sobbing widow and mother
In their grief
Just a week ago this sailor Of the
skies, who piloted Comdr. Byrd over the
top Of the world set out To carry relief
60 German and Irish comrades OF the
sir fraternity, stranded with crippled
ship after they had succeeded III Span-
ming the Atlantic from cast TO west.
Death came to him through exposure
on that rescue trip,
Military HonorS Accorded.
For this young knight OF the new
chiNalry Of the air, although humble
his rank. full military honorS were ac-
corded. A battalion of bluejacket COM
rades was his escort; three ripping
and cold wind that swept the hillside.
paid him a sailorly salute and the soft
call of bugle sung him to rest with
"tapS." lights out for soldiers or sailors
OF ship or shore.
DeSnite a downpour that grew
heavier as time passed. the roped in
closure about the waiting grave was
banked about with men and women
for hours before the solemn strains OF
the Navy Band told that the aviator
was coming to the end Of his long
last Journey from Quebec. Above the
grave itself a brown tent fly had been
Stretched by Army comrades and along
th- sides were banked row on row OF
wreaths and clusters Of bright flowers.
The first 10 be set in place was that
from President and Mrs. Coolidge.
When the train pulled in motor
hearSe awaited. as the military funeral
was to start only at the kate OF the
old cemetery itself. Eign officials OF
the Navy and of other Government
departments had gathered in honor OF
this humble sailor-aViator. however,
and it was the hands CT comrade
petty officers in the Navy that lifted
the casket down and bore 1t out TO
the hearse.
A swift trip across the city followed,
walks noting its significance. But at
the old gateway through which so many
whose names stand high in American
history have passed to their place oil
last honor in Arlington, the dTenched
column. the band and a little group
Of commissioned flyers, who were once
fellow students with Bennett and VINO
few from Hampton Roads TO wash
srgton tc pay him comraoely iare-
welI. waited to take over the flnal rites
for the dead.
Rain Drenches Marchers.
The half-mile march to the grave
side was made with the rain beating
down and a cold wind tugging at the
dripping colors Over the caSket as II
was transferred from hearse 10 an Army
gun caisson. with Army comrades check
ing the cold, restless Six-horSe team,
sodden flag was spread. Behind came
the cars that bore Admiral Hughes,
chief Of naval operations: Assistant Sec
Tetarv Warner, representing Secretary
wilbur: diplomats and Government dig
nitaries. Just before that Secretary
Hoover made his way to stand near the
grave throughout the brief ceremony,
and the air attaches Of the British and
Spanish embassies also defled the storm
20 pay their respects.
At the grave simple rites for the dead
were pronounced by Rev. l.. z. Smith
Of Norfolk pastor OF the church Oi
which the dead aviator was member.
With him was Senator Chaplain Dickins
Of the Navy.
There was little room under the drip
ping khaki tent fly for even the nearest
kin Of the dead or the high officials VINO
had come. Many stood outside IN the
fsst-increas!rg downpour. hats on
throughout the ceremony. The voices
OF the clergy were audible hardly 10
feet away.
The escort Of bluejackets. with water
dripping from their round. fiat caps.
had moved around 10 line up on the
hillside below the grave under trees that
are Just breaking out IN green. Over
the grave itself single tree spread its
branches. almost reaching 10 the nearby
monument that covers Admiral Robert
T. Peary. first to win his way 10 the
North Pole.
Widow Pays Last Tribute.
Behind the clergymen stood the
vriGow. dropping On the arm Of naval
officer as the loy-Yoiced service was
completed Over the casket the great
flag that had draped it was still hiding
flae coffin Itself TO the last. held wide
spread in the hands Of the eight petty
cfncerg who had borne the heavy weight
70 It's place
Back with the uournerg stood one
man Bil0 wss saying good-by 70 a
cogngade into whose hands many q time
be had trusted mis- life and all hopes
II vas Condr Byrd, air conquerOr of
the Pole he had counted on Bennett
ss3 the aew venture ~ the Antarctic he
Is preparing and dropped everything TO
rush to Quebec Wflea word reached MIN
tslst his companion in the Northern
Cash had been stricken.
nsutteTed command down the hill
sioe brought rifles " the escort 70
present" Eaen the last prayer was
said a moment later che sharp blast
81 the rifles rang out Three times
they barred beneath the dripping trees
Then the bugie lifted the sIoW notes Of
the osc soldier and sailor lullaby and
FsoyG Bennett, sailor, sir explorer.
loyal eoHlFsde and ranked With the
bfayey Of the brave Ms left aIoDe and
the company ~ acmiYaia and generals
who sleep clGse about this kunnbiy
placed hero u peacs,
A. the last and ~ the ghigeTing
6feEehsd huncTecA who had cluug 10
their psscea ~ tIe end were struggling
away ~ waiting cars, tnf widow Dent
forward ~ Icy her ogn tribute VI flow
exs on the grave. Then she turned and
bJstsFIhg on t0e srH NJ her officer e6-
coTfs B12cs ner way - tne machine
tast bffe her swiftly away.
WILBUR PRAIsEs BENNETT.