The medal was designed by Robert Schulman, Graphics Coordinator for NASA

1630Boston

Transatlantic Balloonists

In September, 1977, Ben Abruzzo and Maxie Anderson attempted to cross the Atlantic in a helium filled balloon, the Double Eagle. The balloon crashed into the sea off Iceland.

Abruzzo, Anderson and Larry Newman, took off from Presque Isle, Maine, in the Double Eagle II, August 11, 1978. They landed in Miserey, France, August 17, after 137 hours and three minutes in the air. They were about 55 miles short of their goal, Paris. They became the first to cross the Atlantic by balloon.

Congress authorized gold medals to recognize the accomplishment. The medal was designed by Robert Schulman, Graphics Coordinator for NASA. Models were created by mint staff Sherl Winter and Philip Fowler. Bronze copies of the medal (USM 665) were sold to the public.

Abruzzo died in an airplane crash in 1985. Anderson died in a balloon accident in 1983.

1630Boston

1630Boston

Ben Abruzzo, Larry Newman and Maxie Anderson with their medals from the U.S. Congress. Courtesy of the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum (AAAIBM)
.

The Double Eagle II during its transatlantic flight in 1978. From the National Air and Space Museum collection

ricko

Thanks for the information. That must have been quite the trip across the Atlantic...and the weather is always tricky there. I spent a lot of time in the North Atlantic while in the Navy. No place for a hot air balloon if a storm comes up. Cheers, RickO