Bendix Trophy

[MichaelB]

This might be helpful…

http://www.worthpoint.com

[Reach4TheStarzz]

Hi there! I thought I'd provide some details that might help fill-in some of the gaps on this story.

In August 1929 President Hoover offered Col. Clarence M. Young (40) the appointment of Asst. Scy of Commerce position to replace William MacCracken, Jr. who wanted to be relieved. Young, at this time had been serving as Director of the Dept of Commerce's Bureau of Civil Aeronautics where he had been significantly improving the safety of aviation nationwide (e.g., licensing, training, regulations). In fact, his Bureau had received the Robert J. Collier Trophy earlier that same year (Jan 14) in recognition of its work in developing America's air-navigation system. Two weeks after receiving this trophy, the Bureau completed the lighting of the transcontinental airway. (Btw, for those who are curious, MacCracken was issued pilots license #1 by Col. Young in 1926 (in his then-role as Chief of Air Regulation) after Orville Wright turned it down. Col. Young ended up with pilot's license #2.)

Col. Young accepted the Presidential appointment, which was effective Oct 1, 1929. (Btw, Hoover served as Scy of the Dept of Commerce from 1921-1928, so he obviously knew MacCracken and Young quite well.)

On March 14, 1932, Col. Young made the cover of Time Magazine for his contribution to improving air navigation (e.g., routes, lighting, beacons, emergency landing fields) and enforcing the Air Commerce Act. He was extremely popular and well liked by the aviation industry. (This may explain the Bendix award.)

Young left his job at Commerce in 1933 after the election of FDR. In late 1934 Pan Am snagged him away, and made him Director of its newly formed Pacific Division. He was responsible for establishing the first Trans-Pacific commercial air route. Survey flights were made April thru Oct 1935, with the first trans-Pacific flight flown on Nov 22 1935 from San Francisco to Manila.

Frankly, given all Col. Young's contributions to aviation I'm not surprised he received the special Bendix award. This trophy really does belong in a museum. Have you considered donating it to the San Francisco Museum (his son also lives in the area), Smithsonian, or Pacific Aviation Museum? Colonel Young's life has connections to all and I would suspect they'd be pleased to have it on display.

Hope this has helped.

SF Tomajczyk, Author

PS For those curious about his rank of Colonel, he enlisted during WWI and was shot down over Austrian lines while piloting an Italian bomber. He was a POW until he managed to escape to Italy in a box car.

[MichaelB]

Thanks for all that information! ...a forgotten name...
Michael

[grwebster]

very interesting and welcome to our forum.

[fliegerii]

This trophy really does belong in a museum.

Sorry, but since I read this now for second time I state out now, that this is an unnecessary comment. Even though I also do like the Indiana Jones movies, these kind of comments should stay there or only being applied to artefacts of general cultural interest. I love aviation, but not every artefact of aviation has to belong into a museum, as they value for the society is usually minor. If somebody would own the original trophy, that might be a different situation.
If such kind of comments are always placed, collectors will stop posting about their greatest items.

Please think about!

[Reach4TheStarzz]

I do agree that not every item needs to be encased behind museum glass. In fact, I myself have many relics in my own collection. However, when an artifact that bears as much national significance as this Bendix trophy does, one must realize it belongs to an entire generation, not solely its owner. If everything is privately owned, Society as a whole loses out since the items will not be shared and we (and that's a collective "we") forget our heritage. Colonel Clarence M. Young is an American icon and as such his accomplishments in the field of aviation need to be remembered. This point is resolutely reinforced by the fact that no one here on this website knew anything about Col. Young or how he created organization from chaos in aviation's fledgling years. What we have today in our modern world in the way of aviation navigation and safety can directly trace its infancy to Colonel Young. That, my friends, constitutes a National Treasure. And as such, his efforts need to be commemorated at an historical level. They reflect the United States of America.

Nuff said.

SF Tomajczyk, Author

[grwebster]

SF, actually NOT 'nuff said".
I think the point is he did not win the actual Bendix Trophy but was given a replica of it, and BTW it was the one given to the third place finisher. Whether it belongs in a museum, or with his family, or should be left with the current owner is beside the point and not our decision to make in any case.
From the Wiki- we read "The Bendix Trophy is an U.S. aeronautical racing trophy. The transcontinental, point-to-point race, sponsored by industrialist Vincent Bendix founder of Bendix Corporation, began in 1931 as part of the National Air Races. Initial prize money for the winners was $15,000. The last Bendix Trophy Race was flown in 1962."
It also listed the winners and as I posted earlier, he was not on the list as he did not win any Bendix Trophy race.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bendix_Trophy
Also in the various references to Col. Young elsewhere it is not listed among his accomplishments, either.
So, SF, when this Trophy was first shown on the forum I and several others did look it up. After all, a quick internet search take less than 5 seconds. Your comment " This point is resolutely reinforced by the fact that no one here on this website knew anything about Col. Young or how he created organization from chaos in aviation's fledgling years." is not accurate and hints of unwelcome arrogance.
His contributions to early aviation were considerable, and while I agree with you that he is not well recognized for it today, he did not 'win' the Bendix Trophy.