On April 6, 1924, four Douglas World Cruisers and eight crewmen set out from Seattle, Washington, to attempt the first around-the-world airplane flight. 175 days later, on September 28, three of the bi-planes and the six men aboard became the first to circumnavigate the earth by air.

Seattle, Maj. Frederick Martin (pilot and flight commander) and SSgt. Alva Harvey (flight mechanic);

Chicago, Lt. Lowell Smith (pilot) and 1st Lt. Leslie Arnold;

Boston, 1st Lt. Leigh P. Wade (pilot) and SSgt. Henry H. Ogden;

New Orleans, Lt. Erik Nelson (pilot) and Lt. Jack Harding.