In the Pines – The Carranza Memorial

This memorial is located on the Batona Trail, a dirt path deep in the interior of Wharton State Forrest.

The monument is dedicated to the memory of Captain Emilio Carranza, a Mexican aviator who crashed at this site on July 12, 1928 while flying from New York to Mexico. He was trying to complete a good will flight to the United States and back.

A 12 feet high monument stands near the headwaters of Tulpehocken Creek. On one side is an Aztec falling eagle in relief. In Spanish is the dedication to “Captain Aviator Emilio Carranza, tragically killed July 13, 1928.” (He actually was listed deceased on July 12th and recovered on July 13th. Post 11 holds the Memorial on the Saturday closest to July 12th at the same time Mexico holds a similar ceremony.)

Carranza, who was a great-nephew of President Venustiano Carranza of Mexico, was only 23 years old. He crashed his plane when he was 18 while helping to put down the de la Huerta rebellion in Sonora, and his face had to be put back in place with platinum screws. He was chosen to make a goodwill flight to Washington in response to a goodwill flight by Charles Lindbergh the previous December. He was honored by Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover and New York City Mayor Jimmy Walker. Returning to Mexico from Roosevelt Field, Long Island, Carranza ran into a thunderstorm over the Pine Barrens and crashed. (McPhee 1968:99-103)

Every year, on the Saturday nearest July 13, a ceremony is conducted at the site by members of the Mt. Holly Post, American Legion. Every year Mount Holly Post 11 of the American Legion holds a Memorial Service at the Monument to honor the fallen aviator. The Memorial Service is held on the Second Saturday of July at 1:00 p.m.

After the tragedy in 1928, the members of Post 11 made a promise to keep the memory of Emilio Carranza and his mission of Good Will and Peace alive. Every year since 1928, the members of American Legion Post 11 have kept that promise that their preceding comrades had made without fail.

More info and where to find it: http://www.post11.org/carranza/carranza8e.html