Fred Noonan: In Amelia's Shadow

On July 2, 1937, an aircraft disappeared over the Pacific Ocean. Speculation as to what happened to that aircraft has been the subject of public attention, and more than a thousand books, since. But, lost in all the discussion, is that there were two pioneering aviators aboard that Lockheed Electra that never made its scheduled landing at tiny Howland Island, and arguably the one most important to the field of aviation has somehow become merely a footnote.

Special thanks to viewer: Eric Herman

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This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.

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Script by THG

#history #thehistoryguy #Ameliaearhart

[MegaJackpinesavage]

God love ya, Mr History Guy, in calling attention to Fred Noonan, a sadly unsung hero.

[WALTERBROADDUS]

Paul Mantz is worthy of a whole episode. Legendary stunt pilot in Hollywood for decades. Tragically died filming, "The Flight of the Phoenix."

[Quiet-yx]

Thank you for this episode. Noonan moved to Oakland sometime prior to his last fight with Earhart. My wife grew up in that house and her parents lived in it for 50+ years. I always thought of Fred when in the house and felt sad that he was basically forgotten by history. Thanks for fleshing out his story.

[garryw.robertsmusicandmore]

Yes, Fred Noonan should be remembered. I think the fact that Amelia Earhart's husband was a publisher had a lot to do with it.

[henry]

Your 15-minute video has done more to remember and honor Fred Noonan than anything I've seen, very good Sir!! It truly is a shame, if not an outright crime, that his is so overshadowed by Earhart that his own accomplishments are forgotten to history.

[Paladin]

I agree with Manning's assessment of Earhart's flying skills. In aviation circles Noonan is remembered by some for his pioneering work, while Earhart is seen as a socialite amateur pushed by her wealthy husband beyond her abilities.

[radiosnail]

I had no idea about Mr Noonan's stature. An unsung hero for sure. What he could have done for long distance air navigation in WW2 will never be known.

[edschermerhorn]

Thank you for sharing! As a long time aviation nut, the last decade of study has shown me what unsung heroes the early aviation navigators were! Mr Noonan’s work with Pan American can’t be forgotten!

[ericherman]

You received my email and fulfilled my request! What a great channel you run. I enjoy every episode. Folks, if you have a topic you want to hear about, Lance will serve you well. Thank you, Lance and team.

[michaelarrowood]

Thank you for this awesome history of a figure who has been unjustly lost to popular history. Fred Noonan was a navigator with impressive credits in his career, and it was only by a twist of fate that he was eclipsed by his pilot, Amelia Earhart. His contributions to early ship and aviation navigation in the Pacific Ocean are truly memorable. It was only one ill-fated flight that led to his demise. RIP Fred Noonan - you are a name that should be remembered as well!

[mikebrase]

Saw a show on Amazon called across the Pacific about the beginings of Pan Am. When they started talking of Fred Noonan as the Navigator on all of the early Clipper trips.

[frankgulla]

THG, thnk ou for helping tho set the record straight about Fred Noonan. I watch your channel every week with relish.

[Kevin_]

Well done History Guy. I flew the Pacific a lot in my career. There has been so many theories about what happened to this flight with even more to come. I think they ran out of fuel flying grids trying to get a DF steer and became part of the ocean. Thanks for the video.

[skydiverclassc]

Looking at Howland Island in Maps shows just how tiny it really is, especially when you pan back up just a bit to find its position in the ocean. Precise navigation would be absolutely necessary and there's no real alternative if you miss it (at that time, anyway)

[PhantomLover]

It had been said to me before that Earhart was the most famous aviatress because her husband was her best PR. With the flurry of press recently about possibly finding her plane, it is good to have Noonan’s name and accomplishments being brought forward.

[DeutschlandGuy]

The History Guy creates so many fantastic videos, but occasionally he really hits the nail on the head. This video was one of them. Like so many others, I have only heard that Noonan was "the drunkard navigator" on Earheart's tragic last flight. Thank you for adding real depth to his story.

[constipatedinsincity]

No one ever talks about Fred Noonan. But leave it to The History Guy 🤓 to give you the info you wanted to know. Even if you didn't know you wanted to know !😏

[rebeccapaul]

It's episodes like this that keep me watching you. Thank you for highlighting such an amazing and forgotten man!

[elcastorgrande]

Trust THG to tell the stories no one else is telling.

[davea]

An actor portrayed Fred Noonan in a TV episode of Star Trek Voyager called "The 37's" (season 2 episode 1). The actor was given a decent number of lines.