Medal for American pilots
In July of 1931, two American civil aviators named Russell N. Boardman and John L. Polando completed their non-stop flight from New York to İstanbul, beating the previous record by flying 8,065 kilometers in 49 hours and 8 minutes. Connecting the New World and the Near East through a direct aerial bridge for the first time, the event had significant repercussions in Turkey and the rest of the world.
After flying over the Atlantic, the American pilots reached İstanbul via Ireland, Poland, London, Paris, Munich, Salzburg, and Belgrade. İstanbul Governor and Mayor Muhiddin Bey (Üstündar), the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Turkish aviators, members of the press, and a large crowd of locals welcomed the pilots at YeşilAirport.
In response to the question, “Why did you choose İstanbul to break the record?” the American pilots replied, “We heard that many new and great things are happening in Turkey. We came to see them in place and salute them.”
Mustafa Kemal Pasha received the American pilots in Yalova on August 1, 1931. Presented to the Pasha by the U.S. Ambassador, the aviators were honored with medals given by Prime Minister İsmet İnönü.
