Will Rogers defended military aviation
Will Rogers and Gen. Billy Mitchel
Will Rogers never expressed any interest in learning to fly, but he spent much of his lifetime defending the aviation industry and pleading for an American military air force.
At the time of his death, he was the “frequent flyer” of all times.
Despite his fear after he paid $5 in Atlantic City to ride in Glenn Curtiss’ “flying boat”, that same year he flew extensively in Europe where there was passenger service before one was established in the U.S.
A plane lands at the grass strip on the Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch, where Will and his pilot landed May 1, 1928.
The irony of his great enthusiasm about airplanes and pilots and continuous downplay of airplane accidents, is that a plane crash claimed his life. On Sunday, August 15, the 75th anniversary of the day Will Rogers and Wiley Post died in an Alaskan plane crash, pilots from around the country will land on a 2,000 foot grass strip near Oologah — a few feet from the house where Will was born in 1879.
They will come in antique aircraft, vintage warplanes, new small aircraft, helicopters and powered parachute planes to pay tribute to two Oklahomans who loved aviation. The event gives pilots the opportunity to not only showcase their planes and fellowship with other flyers, but also to remember Will Rogers who offered encouragement to pilots before flying was cool.
Pilots start landing about 8:30 a.m. and generally come from a five-state area of Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Texas. The event has grown in the nearly 20 years since it started and has been enhanced to include many activities for children as well as an antique and classic car show.
Later in the day simultaneous memorial tributes will be at the Claremore Will Rogers Memorial, Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades, Calif., Barrow, Alaska, and Wiley Post gravesite and monument in Oklahoma City Memorial Park Cemetery.
CHELSEA — “I got the real kick of my life out of aviation today. Left western Kansas and flew down to Oklahoma and landed right on the old ranch I was born on (where the Fly-In takes place). First machine was ever in there. When I was raised here, I never thought there would be anything faster than a horse get in there …” May 1, 1928 Daily Telegram
Many of the things Will Rogers said and wrote in his “Daily Telegrams” and “Weekly Articles” still fit the times, perhaps none better than the attention he gave to aviation, said Steve Gragert, Will Rogers Memorial Museums executive director and longtime Rogers’ historian.
Will started giving more serious attention to aviation after a ride with Gen. Billy Mitchell, born the same year as Will. Mitchell joined the Army at the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, rose through the ranks and became a leading proponent of aviation during World War I.
Convinced by Mitchell of the importance of a well-armed and technologically up-to-date air force, Will traveled even more by air, writing of the ease of air travel.
Will was dubbed in a “Scientific American” article as the “patron saint of aviation.” He would often hire a pilot and fly to his next designation, promoting aviation in his columns and talks.
It was Mitchell’s criticism of the defense structure and military aviation polices of the United States that led to his downgrading of rank in 1925 and eventual dismissal from active duty.
Will Rogers flew with Mitchell from Boling Field in Washington, D.C., on April 24, 1925. When they landed, Mitchell told him it would be his last flight as Brigadier General.
Mitchell stood trial for court-martial on charges stemming from his public criticism of the Department of Navy and War. He was found guilty and levied a sentence of five years suspended. He resigned February 1, 1926. He died in 1936 and was posthumously promoted to major general in 1942 after his claims proved correct.
Will Rogers was on the sidelines during the court martial proceedings. Mitchell later said it was the one moment of the entire “nightmare” he would remember with pleasure.
The Will Rogers-Wiley Post Fly-In is traditionally on the Sunday closest to August 15, followed by a short afternoon ceremony at the Claremore museum to include placing a wreath at the Rogers’ family tomb. Veterans and active members of military aviation are especially invited to participate in the afternoon memorial tribute.
Chairman of the Fly-In is Tim Jarrett of Tulsa, who came to the first Will Rogers-Wiley Post fly-in with his father, the late Lewis Jarrett. Jarrett flies a Piper out of Harvey Young Airport in Tulsa.
Admission to both events is free. Bring your own lawn chair.
Will Rogers Wiley Post Fly-In • Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch Will Rogers Memorial Tribute • Will Rogers Memorial (Simultaneous tributes in Oklahoma City at Wiley Post gravesite, Will Rogers Historic State Park in California and Barrow, Alaska) |