Australian aviators Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith and Captain Charles T. P. Ulm were honored for their courage, foresight, and aeronautical exploits. Beginning in 1928 with the pioneering flight of the Southern Cross from Oakland to Australia, and continuing with Kingsford-Smith’s journey around the globe to complete the aerial circumnavigation of the world at Oakland, their achievements contributed greatly to the progress of aviation and demonstrated the practicability of regular transoceanic air service.
