Pangborn-Herndon Memorial Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Pangborn-Herndon Memorial Site
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 Location in Washington (state)
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| Nearest city | East Wenatchee, Washington |
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| Architect | Graham, Walter |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001269 |
| Added to NRHP | March 16, 1972 |
The Pangborn-Herndon Memorial Site is a special monument in East Wenatchee, Washington. It honors two brave pilots, Clyde Pangborn and Hugh Herndon, Jr. These men made history with the first ever non-stop flight across the huge Pacific Ocean! They flew all the way from Misawa, Japan, on October 4, 1931. After 41 hours in the air, they landed right near where this memorial now stands.
The memorial itself is northeast of East Wenatchee. It's a tall, 14-foot (about 4.3 meters) column made of heavy basalt rock. This column weighs about 14 tons and sits on a concrete base. On top of the column are 36-inch (about 91 cm) aluminum wings. When they landed in 1931, this area was not yet a town. But the city of Wenatchee, Washington, was nearby. This was also Mr. Pangborn's hometown.
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A Historic Flight
In 1931, flying across oceans was a very new and dangerous idea. Most planes could not fly that far without stopping. But Clyde Pangborn and Hugh Herndon, Jr., wanted to try something amazing. They planned to fly non-stop from Japan to the United States. This had never been done before across the Pacific Ocean.
The Plane and the Pilots
Clyde Pangborn was an experienced pilot. He was known for his daring flights. Hugh Herndon, Jr., was a young co-pilot. He was also the navigator for this journey. Their plane was a special Bellanca CH-400 called "Miss Veedol." It was modified for long-distance flying. They removed some parts to make room for extra fuel tanks. This allowed them to carry enough fuel for the long trip.
The Journey Begins
On October 4, 1931, Pangborn and Herndon took off from Misawa, Japan. Their goal was to reach Wenatchee, Washington. The flight was incredibly challenging. They faced strong winds and bad weather. They had to fly for many hours without any breaks. The plane had no autopilot, so they had to steer it by hand the whole time.
Landing in Wenatchee
After 41 hours in the air, the "Miss Veedol" finally reached Washington state. Pangborn and Herndon were exhausted but thrilled. They had flown over 4,500 miles (about 7,240 kilometers). They landed in a field near East Wenatchee. This was a huge achievement in aviation history. It showed how far planes could fly and how brave pilots could be.
The Memorial Site
The Pangborn-Herndon Memorial Site was created to remember this amazing event. It stands where these two heroes landed. The basalt column and aluminum wings represent their incredible journey. It reminds everyone of their courage and skill. The memorial is a symbol of human spirit and adventure. It also celebrates the early days of long-distance flight.
- Young, Don; Young, Marjorie (1999). Adventure Guide to the Pacific Northwest, Hunter Publishing, Inc.
