Annapolis in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Birthplace of U.S. Naval Air Forces

Photographed by Kevin W., January 21, 2024

1. Birthplace of U.S. Naval Air Forces Marker

Inscription. Lieutenant John Rodgers (USNA Class of 1903) took off from this location in the Wright B-1 aircraft on September 7, 1911. With less than 450 feet to become airborne, an eager group of midshipmen assisted by running alongside while pulling ropes wrapped around the wing struts. Rodgers circled the Naval Academy, made several low passes, and landed. For the first time in history, an aircraft owned by the Navy and piloted by a Naval Aviator flew from naval property. Naval Aviation had arrived at its first home. Later that afternoon he took off again and turned toward Washington, DC. One hour and twenty minutes later, the Navy's first airplane landed on the National Mall.

Commander Rodgers died August 27, 1926 when the aircraft he was piloting from Washington to Philadelphia crashed into the Delaware River. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

A replica of the Wright B-I is displayed in Dahlgren Hall

Erected 2019.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical date for this entry is September 7, 1911.

Location. 38° 58.785′ N, 76° 29′ W. Marker is in Annapolis, Maryland, in

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Anne Arundel County. It is on Cooper Road just west of Arcade Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 103 Fullam Ct Bldg 10, Annapolis MD 21402, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Maryland.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

in the Chesapeake Bay Region,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lieutenant General John Archer Lejeune (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); N* (about 400 feet away); The Joseph R. Hunt Court (about 400 feet away); The Navy Mascot (about 400 feet away); Greg Harlin's John Paul Jones's Ranger (about 500 feet away); Japanese Torpedo (about 500 feet away); 75mm. Howitzer (about 600 feet away); United States Naval Academy (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Annapolis.

Also see . . . The Wright Flyer: Dahlgren Hall Display and USNA Treasure.

Photographed by Kevin W., January 21, 2024

2. Birthplace of U.S. Naval Air Forces Marker

(Submitted on July 7, 2024, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)

Replica of the Wright B-1 hanging in Dahlgren Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., January 21, 2024

3. Replica of the Wright B-1 hanging in Dahlgren Hall

This is the replica mentioned on the Birthplace of U.S. Naval Air Forces Marker. This full-sized 1911 Navy B-1 replica was placed in Dahlgren hall on September 15, 2006. The aircraft exhibit is interactive, and can be lowered and used as a teaching aid to demonstrate its unique 'wing-warping' control system to modern-day naval aviator trainees.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2024, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 312 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 7, 2024, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.