In Tribute to a Heroine

In Tribute to a Heroine

Guam Times Weekly, volume 1 number 11, April 25 1964, In Tribute to a Heroine, article, photo, Joan Merrriam Smith, Guam, flying, flight, plane, Apache, Ray-Jay Corporation, Surinam, South America, Brazil, Horn Island, Australia, Lae, New Guinea, Wake Island, Hawaii, Oakland, California, governmental revolution, cyclone, Navy, Ameila Earhart, Howland Island, Admiral Thomas A. Christopher, ComNavMar, Secretary Denver Dickerson, General Samuel, Air Force, Guam Times, Guam Rotary Club, John Webster, airport, Natal, KUAM, television, tv, program, Goulart

An article from that focuses on the aviatrix, Joan Merriam Smith. Joan Merriam Smith safely landed on Guam and recounted her trials and tribulations about her path to the island and her final resting landing spots. This flight has been a passion for Smith for the past 10 years, and as such much prep was done – roughly 16 months of planning, including Smith quitting her other jobs for her to focus on her flight. With her planning however, the Ray-Jay Corporation supplied Smith with money and parts for her plane; she would test out their products on her flight. Smith had been to Surinam, South America, Brazil, Horn Island, Australia, Lae, New Guinea, and at the time, Guam – Wake Island, Hawaii, and California are Smith’s future stops after the island. Smith encountered troubles during her path, though – engine repairs in Surinam, the revolution in Brazil, cyclone activity at Horn Island, amongst others. Smith’s plane, a two-engine Apache, was escorted to Guam by Navy fliers for the several remaining miles left to Guam. Smith attributes her actions to Amelia Earhart, whom she emulates as closely as possible, including Earhart’s flight path, for the most part; the runway at Howland Island had become unsafe so Smith avoided it. Following Earhart’s steps, Smith talked to eye-witnesses to Earhart’s final flight, and even talked to people who had physical contact with the legendary aviator. During her stay here Smith was talked to by Admiral Thomas A. Christopher, ComNavMar, Secretary Denver Dickerson, and General Samuel of the Air Force. Additionally, in a short interview with Guam Times, Smith said that there are many things to do during flying so falling asleep was not an issue for her. Finally, Smith thanks all those and more; she had enjoyed her time at the Rotary Club

Guam Times Weekly

Guam Times Weekly

Guam Times Weekly

1964-04

Fair use.

Publication produced by Manuel L. Jose

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Text

MARC_GTW_v1_n11_1964_In Tribute to a Heroine_10

Guam

Magazine

DU, 647, A26, MARC, v.1, no. 1-12, c.2

10, 11

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