1927: Lieutenants Lester J. Maitland and Albert F. Hegenberger flew a Fokker C-2, powered by three Wright 220 HP engines, the “Bird of Paradise,” on the first nonstop flight from Oakland to Wheeler Field, Honolulu. They flew 2,407 miles in 25 hours 50 minutes by using the directional beacons of San Francisco and Maui. They received the Mackay Trophy for 1927 and the Distinguished flying Cross (DFC).
