Memorial Service Held in New Jersey's Pine Barrens for the 'Mexican Lindbergh', Emilio Carranza, Site of His Fatal Crash
**Remembering Emilio Carranza: A Pioneer in Aviation and a Symbol of Cross-Border Friendship**
On a foggy July morning in 1928, Emilio Carranza, the "Lindbergh of Mexico," embarked on a historic goodwill flight from Mexico City to New York City. Tragically, his return journey ended in a fatal crash in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. Over nine decades later, his legacy lives on through an annual memorial service held at the site of the crash in Wharton State Forest, near Tabernacle.
Carranza, a Mexican aviation hero, was celebrated for his daring cross-border flights and held the record for the third-longest nonstop solo flight between Mexico City and San Diego. On July 12, 1928, after being honoured by officials in Washington, D.C., and New York City, Carranza began his return trip to Mexico. However, severe thunderstorms over the Pine Barrens forced his plane, the *Excelsior*, to break apart midair, resulting in a fatal crash.
The annual memorial service in Carranza’s honour takes place every July, typically on the Saturday closest to the anniversary of his crash. Organized by the American Legion Mount Holly Post 11 and Mexican consulates from New York City and Philadelphia, the event draws dozens of attendees from the region. Representatives from local government, cultural groups like the Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Nueva York, and environmental agencies are also in attendance.
The memorial ceremony is a poignant reminder of Carranza’s legacy as an aviation pioneer and a symbol of the enduring friendship between Mexico and the United States. The monument at the crash site, a 12-foot structure featuring an Aztec-designed falling eagle, serves as a poignant reminder of early aviation history and international goodwill.
The monument was built in Mexico and erected in New Jersey in 1933, thanks to donations from Mexican schoolchildren. The crash site was discovered by John Carr and his family while they were picking berries. The memorial service aims not only to honour Carranza’s legacy but also to celebrate the close ties shared by Mexico and the United States, especially amidst contemporary political tensions.
Carranza's story continues to inspire, symbolizing the spirit of adventure and friendship that transcends borders. His bravery and the close ties between Mexico and the United States are commemorated every year at the memorial service, a testament to the enduring impact of his life and legacy.
| Aspect | Details | |------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Who was Emilio Carranza? | Mexican aviation hero, known as "Lindbergh of Mexico," famed for goodwill flight in 1928 | | Flight & Crash Details | Flew from Mexico City to NYC and back; crashed in NJ Pine Barrens in a storm on July 12, 1928 | | Memorial Location | Wharton State Forest near Tabernacle, NJ; 12-foot monument with Aztec eagle design | | Memorial Service | Annual event in July, organized by American Legion and Mexican consulates, honoring his legacy | | Discovery of Crash Site | Found by John Carr and his family while picking berries | | Construction of Monument | Built in Mexico and erected in New Jersey in 1933 |
The legacy of Emilio Carranza, a Mexican aviation hero, continues to inspire as his annual memorial service celebrates his record-breaking cross-border flights and serves as a symbol of enduring friendship between Mexico and the United States, held in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey where his tragic crash occurred. Despite contemporary political tensions, this event draws representatives from local government, cultural groups, and environmental agencies, bringing together the spirit of adventure and friendship that transcends borders.
Remarkably, the monument at the crash site, a 12-foot structure featuring an Aztec-designed falling eagle, was financed by contributions from Mexican schoolchildren and showcases early aviation history and international goodwill. Additionally, the annual service is not only an ode to Carranza’s legacy but also underscores the importance of cross-border ties in the aviation, finance, transportation, and sports industries.
