H96.1.1961

Handwritten on the back, "Hegenberger, Mayor Rolph." Photo shows Hegenberger smiling as Rolph pins something to the lapel of Hegenberger's uniform. He is also wearing a lei made of large leaves around his neck. Rolph is wearing a suit and top hat. Standing next to Hegenberger is Maitland, but on a portion of his face is visible in the photo. In the background are a group of people looking on. On June 28, 1927 Lt. Lester J. Maitland, pilot, and Lt. Albert F. Hegenberger, naviagator/radioman, left the Oakland Municipal Airport for Hawaii. Both men were in the Army Air Corps. They flew a Fokker tri-motor which the Army had acquired in 1926. Although they had some serious instrument problems with their navigational equipment, Maitland and Hegenberger made it to Wheeler Field in Hawaii in 25 hours and 49 minutes making them the first to make the flight from the Pacific Coast to Hawaii.

Used: Oakland Tribune