Captain Emilio Carranza Rodríguez (December 9, 1905 – July 12, 1928), was a Mexican aviator and national hero, nicknamed the "Lindbergh of Mexico". He died on the return part of a historic goodwill flight from Mexico City to the United States. He crashed in New Jersey shortly after take-off from New York.
Early life and background Carranza was born in Villa Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, Mexico, on December 9, 1905. His father was Sebastian Carranza who was an attache at the Mexican consulate in New York.Carranza's Father Here, The New York Times, June 12, 1928 His mother was Maria Dolores Rodriguez Gomez. As a child he lived for some time in San Antonio, El Paso, and Mexico City. He was fluent in English. He attended the Military Academy at Mexico City and graduated in 1924 with honors.Rosa Mercedes Pujols and Leticia Roa Nixon, The Mexican Lindbergh: Captain Emilio Carranza Rodríguez, p. 3, 2011 He married Maria Luisa Corbala in 1928 four months before taking the flight to the USA."Veteran of Four Wars", Asbury Park Press, July 14, 1928, p. 2 Following his death, He left a wife and unborn child. The child, Emilio Carranza Jr. was born after his crash. The child died at age 6 of an appendicitis. He was the great-nephew of President Venustiano Carranza of Mexico and his elder second cousin was Mexican aviator Alberto Salinas Carranza, whom he called "uncle.":es:Jesús Carranza Neira At age 18, he took part against the Yaqui rebellion in Sonora and helped to put down the de la Huerta rebellion.
Aviation career Aviation records Carranza was known to have set a number of aviation records. In 1927 he made the first non-stop flight from Mexico City to Ciudad Juárez (1200 miles)."Cloud extinguishes Flaming Wing of Airplane", Asbury Park Press, September 3, 1927, p. 2 While in Sonora, he crashed and his face had to be reassembled with platinum screws. At age 22, on May 24–25, 1928, he set the record for the third-longest non-stop solo flight by flying 1,575 miles (3000 km) from San Diego, California, to Mexico City in 18.5 hours. His safe arrival completed the longest non-stop flight by a Mexican. He was greeted by Plutarco Calles, then President of Mexico."Carranza Reaches Mexico City Safely", The New York Times, May 26, 1928, p. 3
US Goodwill Flight Washington DC In 1928, he became a national hero when he was selected to undertake a goodwill flight from Valbuena Airfield in Mexico City to Washington, D.C., in response to the previous year's flight between the two capitals by Charles Lindbergh. He received the airplane on May 20 from the factory.Carrana will get it by May 20 for Washington Flight, The New York Times, May 10, 1928, p. 16 After a number of short practice flights in Tampico, to test gasoline and maintaining altitude, Emilio was ready for his distance flight.Studies Carranza Flight, The New York Times, June 8, 1928 Flying his plane The Mexico Excelsior, a Ryan Brougham similar to the Spirit of St. Louis, Carranza reached Washington, D.C., on June 12, 1928, after a forced landing in Mooresville, North Carolina due to fog."Mexico's Lindy Arrives at Washington", Asbury Park Press, June 14, 1928, p. 16
The goodwill flight was partially financed by Charles Lindbergh who contributed $1,200."Carranza Begins Good will Flight", Asbury Park Press, June 11, 1928, p. 14 The American Syrian Federation also contributed financial assistance to pay for the flight."Mexican Flier is Guest of Federation at Brooklyn Reception", The New York Times, June 29, 1928, p. 51 However, the bulk of the money for the good-will flight came from a public collection of $25,000 in Mexico."Mexicans Give $25000 to Aid Carranza Hop to Washington", The New York Times, April 23, 1928, p. 23
At Bolling Field, he was greeted by Acting Secretary of State Robert Olds, Mexican Ambassador Miguel Téllez, other dignitaries and spectators. The next day, he had lunch with U.S. President Calvin Coolidge, who hosted the aviator at the Pan American Union. According to The New York Times, the two had to have lunch there because The White House larder was empty due to the first family's impending departure for a vacation."Coolidge Is Host to Mexican Flier," New York Times (June 14, 1928) While in Washington, he placed a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier."Mexico's Lindy Pays Tribute to Unknown Soldier" Asbury Park Press, June 15, 1928, p. 10
New York Flying to New York, he was escorted by an air squadron from Bolling Field."Collidge is Host to Mexican Flier", The New York Times, June 14, 1928, p. 19 Carranza landed at Roosevelt Field on Long Island. A crowd of people, 200 soldiers, 12 motorcycle policemen, and a military band were on hand to greet him."Good Will Aviator Reaches New York", Asbury Park Press, June 18, 1928, p. 2 He was honored in New York City by Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover and New York City mayor Jimmy Walker. Mayor Walker gave him the key to the city. Mayor Walker also later invited Carranza to a firemen's ceremony where he requested Carranza do the honor of presenting medals to the firefighters for their heroic work."Walker Extols Carranza", The New York Times, July 15, 1928, p. 14 He was honored at a lunch at the Garden City Hotel given by the Nassau County official Reception Committee."Carranza at Garden City", The New York Times, June 26, 1928, p. 27 A luncheon was also held at the Bankers Club for Carranza and 200 guests given by the Mexican Chamber of Commerce."No Oratory for Carranza", The New York Times, June 23, 1928, p. 3
He then flew to West Point where he also reviewed the troops, an honor infrequently given to a visiting official with the rank of just Captain. When at West Point, he presented a picture of the Mexican Military Academy at Chapultepec."Carranza Defers Trip", The New York Times, June 21, 1928, Page 3 Following West Point, he flew to Lowell, Massachusetts, to dedicate a new field there. He went at the request of Edith Nourse Rogers who was responsible for the lifting of an embargo of aviation products to Mexico. He then returned to New York City."Carranza Coming Today", The New York Times, June 18, 1928, p. 19
He was also honored at a reception given by the American Syrian Federation in Brooklyn. At the reception, he was given a wrist watch and a scroll offering good wishes."Mexican Flier is Guest of Federation at Brooklyn Reception", The New York Times, June 29, 1928, p. 52 He stated at the dinner that Mexican Syrians had contributed a third of the money to pay for the expenses of his flight.Mexican Flier is Guest of Federation at Brooklyn Reception, The New York Times, June 29, 1928 He was also honored with a luncheon on Governors Island and then that evening was honored at a dance at Hotel McAlpin. Those in attendance at the Luncheon were his father Sebastian Carranza, General Pedro Caloca, Robert Lee Bullard, and Hugh A. Drum among others."Carranza is Honored at Governors Island", The New York Times, June 24, 1928, p. 20 Due to violent weather, he was urged to remain in New York by Charles Lindbergh and others.
Return flight and crash There is a story that on July 12 Carranza received a telegram from Mexican War Minister Joaquín Amaro ordering his immediate return to Mexico City "or the quality of your manhood will be in doubt." According to the legend, the telegram was found at the crash site in the pocket of the aviator's flight jacket, but the telegram no longer exists. The story's proponents do not cite any primary source that confirms the telegram's existence.
Contemporary news reports contradict the story. According to the July 13 edition of The New York Times, Carranza departed after receiving a report via telegram from the US Weather Bureau, but it is unclear whether the weather report prompted his departure. Airport officials said he announced a delay so that spectators would leave the field."Mexican Lindy Killed As Plane Falls in South Jersey Pines During Storm, ” Evening Courier, July 14, 1928 (Camden, NJ)"Carranza Killed In Crash As He Flies Into Storm In Mexico Hop," The New York Times, July 14, 1928 There was also an unsubstantiated statement from Senator Thomas Heflin that there was a report of a plot to kill Carranza."Heflin Scents a Plot", Thee New York Times, July 17, 1928, p. 23
Carranza took off after dark during a break in thunderstorms in the New York region. He reported before taking off that he would fly towards Washington and then steer a compass course from there."Corranza Off on Non-Stop Flight", Asbury Park Press, July 13, 1928, p. 2 While flying over the Pinelands of southern New Jersey amidst thunderstorms, he crashed in the woods. Investigators from Fort Monmouth conducted the accident probe to determine what happened. They were able to determine the engine throttle was closed and the spark lever was in the advanced position. This showed he was attempting to land.
John H. Carr, and his family were out picking huckleberries when they discovered his body and the wreckage the next day. His corpse was wrapped in canvas from the plane's fuselage and taken to a garage behind Buzby's General Store in Chatsworth where it was placed in a makeshift coffin.Birdsall, Bob, People of the Pines (2007), Plexus Publishing, Inc., Medford, NJ.Evening Courier, July 14, 1928 (Camden, NJ) His casket, accompanied by United States Army officers, was draped with an American flag from Mount Holly Post 11 of the American Legion, and then taken to New York City. The flag hangs today in Mexico's School of Aviation. Many personal assets were looted from the crash site during the investigation. Three days later some medals, rings and clothing were turned into the local police. These items were eventually turned over to the airman's family."Mexico Sorrows at Carranza's Bier", The New York Times, July 24, 1928, p. 7 The Mexican government rewarded John Carr with $500 (approximately equivalent to $9,000 in 2024) for finding and quickly reporting the location of the plane and body."Mexico Gives $500 to the Man Who Found Carranza", The New York Times, July 18, 1928, p. 21
Authorities initially identified Carranza's body from the Weather Bureau telegram found in his flight jacket pocket, according to news reports.Evening Courier, July 14, 1928The New York Times, July 14, 1928 Authorities described to reporters the belongings found on his body, but made no reference to a telegram from Minister Amaro. The news reports are contrary to the Amaro telegram story published on the 50th anniversary of the aviator's death, which states that the Minister's telegram was found in Carranza's jacket pocket.
Body repatriation and final resting place United States President Coolidge offered the battleship Florida to return the body. President Calles of Mexico, declined the offer and the body was returned to Mexico via train transport amid full military honors. The military guard were dispatched from Governors Island."Body of Carranza Lies in State Here; Warship is Declined", The New York Times, July 15, 1928, p. 1 When transferred to the train at Penn Station, the coffin was led by six black horses in a caisson with 10,000 troops marching to a muffled drum beat down Broadway. It was estimated that 200,000 people lined the route to see the coffin draped procession."City Crowds Hushed as Carranza's body Starts for Mexico, The New York Times, July 19, 1928, p. 1 Every Mexican military officer was ordered to wear crape on his sword hilt and a black brassard on his arm in honor of Carranza. National flags were flown at half-staff for a week."Carranza to be Buried in State as a General", The New York Times, July 15, 1928, p. 14