Wilmer Stultz

Wilmer Lower Stultz
Stultz in 1928
Born	11 April 1900
Died	July 1, 1929(1929-07-01) (aged 29) Roosevelt Field New York
Cause of death	Air crash
Resting place	Presbyterian Cemetery Williamsburg, Pennsylvania
Nationality	American
Occupation	Pilot
Spouse(s)	Mildred Botts (m. 1919–29)

Wilmer Lower Stultz (April 11, 1900 – July 1, 1929) was an aviator who made the first non-stop flight between New York City and Havana, Cuba. He died in a crash in 1929.

Biography

He was born in Williamsburg, Pennsylvania on April 11, 1900.

Stultz joined the United States Army Air Force on 22 August 1917 assigned to the 634th Aero Supply Squadron reaching the rank of Sergeant. He was discharged on 31 March 1919. Stultz then joined the United States Naval Air Service in December that year, training at Pensacola, Florida. He served at Hamton Roads Virginia testing the F-5L bomber.^[1]

He married Mildred Botts of Middletown, Pennsylvania on August 4, 1919.^[1]

On March 5, 1928, Stultz, Oliver Colin LeBoutillier, and Mabel Boll on an improvised seat, made the first non-stop flight in the Columbia between New York City and Havana, Cuba (c. 1300 mi.).^[2]

Stultz was the pilot of the Fokker Trimotor "Friendship" on June 18, 1928, when Amelia Earhart became the first woman passenger to cross the Atlantic Ocean.

Stultz died on July 1, 1929, after he crashed while possibly performing aerial stunts. Two passengers were also killed.^[1] He was buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery in Williamsburg, Pennsylvania.^[3]

Legacy

Stultz Field in Tipton, Pennsylvania, was named in his honor.

References