In Context
This artifact is located in the Why Fly? section.

Related Objects
Click on the photographs to enlarge.


Captain Hawthorne Gray's dead body in balloon basket, 1927
Reproduction
MHS Photographs and Prints
#26375

Captain Hawthorne Gray before his ascension, November 4, 1927

Reproduction
MHS Photographs and Prints
#26374

History
Captain Hawthorne Gray, stationed at Scott Field, was determined to capture the record altitude mark held by an airplane pilot at 40,820 feet. On his second attempt, Gray attained an altitude of 42,240, but the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale disqualified his attempt on technical grounds.

On November 4, 1927, Gray attained an altitude of 42,470 feet, but he did so at the cost of his own life. The frigid temperatures froze his clock an hour into the flight, and Gray lost track of time. By the time he realized he was running low on oxygen, it was too late.

The balloon continued to descend and landed in Sparta, Tennessee, where a young boy discovered the balloon and Gray's body. After contacting the local sheriff, Gray's body was identified and taken to Arlington National Cemetery for burial.