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Steponas DariusLithuanian pilot
Date of Birth: 08.01.1896
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Content:
- Life of Steponas Darius
- Military Service
- Aviation Career
- The Transatlantic Flight
- The Journey and Tragedy
- The Aftermath
- National Heroes
- Legacy
- Sportsman and Olympian
Life of Steponas Darius
Early Life and EmigrationBorn in Lithuania, Steponas Darius emigrated to the United States in 1907 with his family. He later simplified his surname in 1917.
Military Service
During World War I, Darius volunteered for the American army. He served in France and was awarded the Purple Heart for his service. In 1920, he returned to Lithuania and joined the Lithuanian army.
Aviation Career
After completing military training, Darius became a pilot in 1923. He returned to the United States in 1927 and worked in civil aviation.
The Transatlantic Flight
Preparations and ObjectivesIn 1933, Darius and fellow pilot Stasys Girenas embarked on a remarkable transatlantic flight from New York City to Kaunas, Lithuania. They purchased a Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker aircraft, named "Lituanica," for the journey.
The Journey and Tragedy
The flight across the northern Atlantic took 37 hours and 11 minutes. However, disaster struck on July 17, 1933, when the plane crashed in a forest near Soldin, Germany, only 650 kilometers from their destination. Both Darius and Girenas perished.
The Aftermath
Causes of the CrashThe German investigation attributed the crash to poor weather conditions and fuel exhaustion. However, an alternative theory suggests the plane was shot down due to its proximity to a secret concentration camp.
National Heroes
Darius and Girenas were buried with honor in Kaunas and became national heroes in Lithuania. Their flight has been immortalized in poems, songs, and monuments.
Legacy
Commemoration and RecognitionThe village where Darius was born was renamed in his honor. A memorial museum dedicated to his life and the transatlantic flight was established. Statues of Darius and Girenas have been erected in Lithuania and Chicago, where a sizable Lithuanian community resides. Their images have also been featured on Lithuanian currency.
Sportsman and Olympian
Beyond his aviation accomplishments, Darius was an avid sportsman who excelled in basketball, hockey, baseball, boxing, and track and field. He served as the goalkeeper for the Lithuanian football team at the 1924 Olympics.
