Carl Benjamin Eielson was born in Hatton, North Dakota. He was educated in the public schools of Hatton and at the University of North Dakota. He also studied at the University of Wisconsin and Georgetown University, and later taught school for a time. On January 17, 1917, Carl enlisted in the Air Service of the United States Army. In 1923 he piloted the first airplane in Alaska, and in 1924 he flew the first government mail plane in that territory. He was made chief pilot of Sir Hubert Wilkins' expeditions to the Arctic in 1926-1927, and of the flight "Over the Top of the World" in 1928, from Point Barrow, Alaska to Spitzbergen Island, Norway. He also accompanied Wilkins on his Antarctic expedition in 1928-1929. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Harmon Trophy by the United States Government in 1929, and was the recipient of many honors and awards from foreign nations. He lost his life while on a rescue mission in Siberia on November 9, 1929. His body was brought back home and laid to rest in the family plot in St John's Cemetery, Hatton, North Dakota.
Carl Benjamin Eielson was born in Hatton, North Dakota. He was educated in the public schools of Hatton and at the University of North Dakota. He also studied at the University of Wisconsin and Georgetown University, and later taught school for a time. On January 17, 1917, Carl enlisted in the Air Service of the United States Army. In 1923 he piloted the first airplane in Alaska, and in 1924 he flew the first government mail plane in that territory. He was made chief pilot of Sir Hubert Wilkins' expeditions to the Arctic in 1926-1927, and of the flight "Over the Top of the World" in 1928, from Point Barrow, Alaska to Spitzbergen Island, Norway. He also accompanied Wilkins on his Antarctic expedition in 1928-1929. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Harmon Trophy by the United States Government in 1929, and was the recipient of many honors and awards from foreign nations. He lost his life while on a rescue mission in Siberia on November 9, 1929. His body was brought back home and laid to rest in the family plot in St John's Cemetery, Hatton, North Dakota.
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