Milatzo, John F.

Air Mail Service Began:
February 24, 1923
Air Mail Service Ended:
March 27, 1923
Pilot Reappointed:
April 3, 1924
Air Mail Service Ended:
April 22, 1927
Total Hours Flown:
1455.00
Total Miles Flown:
142,041
Assignments:
Washington
Mar 1, 1923 – Chicago, Illinois
April 3, 1924 – Omaha, Nebraska
Aug 1, 1924 – Cheyenne, Wyoming
Aug 20, 1924 – Omaha, Nebraska
Mar 1, 1925 – Maywood, Illinois
June 1, 1925 – Cleveland, Ohio
Aug 16, 1925 - Maywood, Illinois
Refer to caption
John F. Milatzo in his de Havilland airplane.
- Courtesy of the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution

John F. Milatzo was the last Air Mail Service pilot to die before the service was turned over to contractors. He was flying on April 22, 1927 when snow and sleet collected on his plane, forcing him to land at night. He crashed, and his plane exploded into flames.

Refer to caption
This scattered wreckage was all that remains of John Milatzo's fatal crash.

Refer to caption
In this telegram, dated April 22, 1927, airmail officials learned of Milatzo's tragic death. Milatzo died while flying the night mail from Chicago.
- Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration