Clifford Harmon, Louis Bleriot, Richard E. Byrd, and Sheldon Whitehouse in France Following Byrd's Transatlantic Flight, May 7, 1927

Richard Byrd, Bernt Balchen, Bert Acosta, and George Noville made a nonstop flight from New York to France in 1927 with their Fokker Tri-Motor America. They intended to land in Paris, but instead landed off the Normandy coast. Byrd and his team were honored for their accomplishment. He and Noville -- both Navy officers -- received the Navy's Distinguished Flying Cross.