Captain Emilio Carranza Rodriguez, a Mexican aviator born in Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, Mexico, was returning from a goodwill mission on a nonstop flight from New York to Mexico City when he crashed here during a thunderstorm. His goodwill mission was the longest flight flown by a Mexican aviator up to that time. Although his accomplishments earned him the nickname the "Lindbergh of Mexico," Americans and Mexicans alike more often regarded him as a messenger of peace, goodwill, and friendship between the two nations. In 1931, children of Mexico saved their pennies to quarry stone from Coahuila, Mexico, for the construction of the monument, with each block representing a state of the Republic of Mexico. American Legion Post 11 erected it with a pledge to keep his ideals alive, and each year they honor him with a ceremony on the second Saturday in July. Its Aztec eagle symbolizes Mexican identity, pride, leadership, and dignity; the descending eagle and footprints mark his tragic descent and final walk on earth; and the arrow on the reverse side symbolizes flight into the air and the perpetual endurance of his dream. Found in his pocket during his final flight was a plan to fly over noted cities to awaiting crowds.
