SMITHY AND ULM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 149, 25 June 1936, Page 9

SMITHY AND ULM.

AMERICAN MEMORIAL. TRIBUTE TO FAMED FLYERS. OAKLAND AIRPORT PLAQUE. Oji the eighth anniversary of the epoch-making flight from Calfornia to Australia by the late Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and Charles Ulm in 1925, there was unveiled at the Oakland Airport, California, U.S.A., a beautiful bronze plaque in memory of tlios'j intrepid airmen. The Oakland Port Commission was responsible for this act, and the plaque is a beautiful example of the maker's art in bas-relief. The plate is about 3ft by 34ft, set on a granite base. It has been placed in a garden outside the hangars. The inscription reads: "To the memory of the Australian aviators,"; and then follow their names and description of their deeds, all in relief. I Above the inscription is carved tlio words so full of meaning, "Old Bus." Quite a big party of Australians gathered for the unveiling—the plaque was covered with Smithy's autographed Australian Naval Ensign. The dedication speech was made by Mr. Leroy Goodrich, vice-president of the Port Commission, while Mr. Cyril Cane, British Consul, accepted the memorial on behalf of the Australian people. Messrs. R. H. Kingsford Smith, IT. Lyon, J. Warner. Porter, Mortensen and Oberjr also spoke. After eeremonv the Marine Corps' flyers entertained the crowd with stunt flying.