FIRST AIRMAIL FLIGHT MAY 15, 1918

On the morning of May 15, 1918, a crowd of several hundred gathered at Washington, DC’s Polo Grounds to witness history being made.  Army pilot Lt. George Boyle climbed inside a Curtiss “Jenny” airplane with bags containing 5,500 letters destined to fly on the first airmail route in US history.

As President Woodrow Wilson looked on with a crowd of dignitaries, mechanics tried to start Boyle’s plane.    The propeller turned but the engine wouldn’t start…  After four attempts, mechanics checked the gas

Army Major Reuben Fleet stands in front of the “Jenny” plane shortly before take off.

tank and realized the plane was out of fuel.  Furthermore, there was no gas on the field, so mechanics quickly siphoned fuel out of nearby planes.  Boyle flew off for his journey to Philadelphia at 11:46 a.m. – 45 minutes late and barely clearing nearby trees!