FLOYD D. BENNETT
1890-1928
"MONARCH OF THE AIR"
EARLY LIFE:
Born at North Caldwell, Warren County: resided with an aunt on Harrington Hill, Warrensburg, working on her farm.
EDUCATION:
Attended Warrensburg schools; worked in the woods for a year; took automotive course in Schenectady; worked in Hague and at a garage in Ticonderoga, becoming part owner.
U.S. NAVY :
Enlisted in 1917 and trained as air pilot; served as instructor in air mechanics at Hampton Roads Base, Norfolk, Virgina, during World War I; rated by his superiors as one of the most capable men in the service.
NORTH POLE :
Named by Commander Richard Byrd as second in command for Arctic expedition in May of 1926; Bennett was the pilot for the first flight ever over the North Pole; a broken oil line during the trip threatened to bring failure but was overcome, largely because of Bennett's efforts.
RECOGNITION:
Personally decorated with Congressional Medal of Honor by President Calvin Coolidge for the achievement; given tremendous public ovation upon return to Warren County in June of 1926; airfields in Brooklyn and Warren County were named for him, as was the plane that used on his South Pole flight.
LATER FLIGHT:
Commander Byrd chose Bennett as second in command for proposed flight to Paris in 1927, but Bennett was injured when the plane fell during a trial; after recuperation and to the time of his death, Bennett had expected to assist Byrd in his historic flight to the South Pole.
