Hawthorne C. Gray

Hawthorne Charles Gray (February 16, 1889 – November 4, 1927) was a captain in the United States Army Air Corps. On May 4, 1927, he succeeded in setting a new altitude record in a silk, rubberized, and aluminum-coated balloon launched from Scott Field near Belleville, Illinois, reaching a human world altitude record of 42,470 ft (12.94 km). This record was not recognized by the FAI because Gray parachuted out of the balloon and did not land with his vehicle as per FAI rules. On November 4, 1927, Gray broke his own record by reaching more than 43,000 ft (13.1 km), but died during his descent after his oxygen supply became depleted. The record was recognized by the National Aeronautical Association, but not by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale because the dead aeronaut "was not in personal possession of his instruments." Gray was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his three ascents on March 9, May 4 and November 4.