This silent untitled black-and-white newsreel film by International Newsreel depicts Captain Charles Lindbergh as he returns to the United States after his famous journey from Long Island to Paris and is awarded the first Distinguished Flying Cross by President Calvin Coolidge. Lindbergh’s nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic on May 20-21, 1927 made aeronautical history when he flew his monoplane, Spirit of St. Louis, “thirty-three-and-one-half” non-stop hours in the air. During his homecoming, Lindbergh was first greeted in Washington D.C. with a celebratory parade before being awarded the first ever Distinguished Flying Cross on June 11, 1927. Over the next several months, the Spirit of St.Louis and Lindbergh went on to tour over eighty-two cities in forty-eight states as well as make other ceremonial visits, some of which are seen in this film.
United States Navy USS Memphis (CL-13) Omaha-class light cruiser sails along the Potomac River (0:06). Crowds assemble along Alexandria Waterfront, camera pans pier (0:14). U.S. Naval Torpedo Station (today Torpedo Factory Art Center) (0:18). American flag waves in wind in foreground, background of Navy ships sailing along Potomac (0:26). US Navy officers in white uniforms stand on upper decks of USS Memphis (0:38). USS Memphis pulls into pier at Washington Navy Yard in Washington D.C. (0:44). Cameramen, news correspondents rush towards docking ship with cameras in tow (0:54). Captain Charles Lindbergh salutes and waves to crowd from ship (0:57). Lindbergh’s mother, Evangeline Lindbergh, escorted onto ship by Navy officers for reunion with son before pair walk off of ship (1:02). Air show with biplanes; Perhaps USS Los Angeles blimp flies over head (1:22). Lindberghs escorted to a waiting car, joined by John Hays Hammond, chairman of the reception committee; Car joins military parade stretching from Capitol Hill to the Washington Monument grounds (1:30). Camera pans Washington Monument Grounds – media sets up cameras, large crowd gathered (2:12). Coolidge presents award to Lindbergh on podium on Washington Monument grounds (2:28). LED light sign lit up among dark background reads “Welcome Home Lindy” (4:13). Charles Lindbergh places wreath at Tomb of Unknown Soldier Arlington (4:24). Close-up side mechanics working on nine-cylinder Wright J-5C Whirlwind radial engine of the Spirit of St.Louis plane (6:08). Lindbergh’s tour of US begins: Lindbergh visits Chicago, Illinois on August 13, 1927 (6:26). Spirit of St. Louis lands at Chicago Municipal Airport along dirt tarmac (6:27). Chicago Mayor, William Hale Thompson, greets and welcomes Lindbergh at airport (6:40). Lindbergh rides around Chicago in vehicle with William R. Davis (Pres. Chicago Association of Commerce), George Getz, Major General William Lassiter, Captain John F. Hines (6:48). Reception for Lindbergh held in front of massive crowd at Soldier Field; Lindbergh stands on podium with Mayor Thompson (6:50). Lindbergh stands at podium and addresses crowd (7:01). Camera pans faces of perhaps JROTC and Boy Scout troops in uniform standing at podium with Lindbergh and Mayor Thompson (7:18). December 13, 1927 Lindbergh embarks on non-stop flight from D.C. to Mexico City, Mexico and Cuba – Spirit of St. Louis moved from hangar to field in preparation for take off; final check-up (7:37). Lindbergh stands in full aviation outfit beside Major Harvey S. Burwell, C.O. Bolling Air Force Base Field, in front of plane (8:15). Lindbergh stands with M.G. William S. Graves, M.G. Malin Craig for reviewing of the troops at Fort Amador (Panama) January 11th (9:03). Party guests in white uniforms leave Graves residence at Quarry Heights after New Years Day Reception (9:11).
