Floyd Bennett Day - ​May 9

PictureFloyd Bennett
Have you ever driven by the Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport in Queensbury or the Floyd Bennett Memorial Bandstand in Warrensburg and wondered,
“Who was Floyd Bennett?” 
Answer:  He was a local hero who grew up in Warrensburgh, enlisted in the Navy on December 15, 1917 in Burlington, Vermont, and placed in the new Naval Aviation Wing. 
This beloved son of Warrensburgh served his country with honor and distinction – he was;
  •  A recipient of the Medal of Honor, ​Distinguished Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and a World War I Victory Medal.  He also is credited for making the first flight to the North Pole on May 9, 1926 with United States Navy Commander Richard E. Byrd. Naval Officer Bennett died of pneumonia on April 25, 1928 as a result of attempting to rescue two flyers stranded in Labrador.  He was just thirty-seven years old.  He was buried among this nation’s other heroes in Arlington National Cemetery.  Sandi Parisi, Town Historian and Warrensburgh Historical Board Member recently presented the idea of a day to honor this local hero’s contributions to this community and to his country.  The Board agreed and officially adopted May 9 as Floyd Bennett Day at the March 9, 2022 Town Board meeting.   While there are no planned events to celebrate this year, we will be planning for events and other ways of celebrating this wonderful piece of our history. 
  • Have we hooked you yet.  If so, read; FLOYD BENNETT - THE UNTOLD TRUE STORY  by Jean Hadden as printed in the Fall, 1998 WHS Quarterly
Celebrating Floyd Bennett Day
​May 9th, 2024