boxes of camera film that were marked for loading into the Electra. In addition, he saw a large camera that had a U.S. Navy insignia on it.
Years later it was learned that around this time, Army Air Corp Corporal Joseph Pelligrini was assigned to the first photo mapping group at Bolling Field, Washington, D.C. Pelligriniâs assignment was to draw up the guidelines for installing cameras in a âcivilian aircraft to be flown by a female pilot engaged in an intelligence flight.â According to Pelligrini, a female pilot was to take photographs of Japanese mandated islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Days later while seated at a table in the coffee shop with Earhart and Noonan, Myers witnessed the aviatrix yelling at her navigator and asking him what he knew about all of the camera equipment that had been added to the airplane. She asked him, âWhy is [Putnam] doing all of this? Why wonât he tell me a thing?â Noonan responded that he was in the dark about the entire matter.
Myers noticed Putnam coming and going at the airport more often as the time approached for the around-the-world flight. Myers came to the conclusion that Putnam was in charge of the entire enterprise, that he was making all of the decisions related to the flight. Myers found Putnam to be âa most disagreeable personâ and observed him behaving in an abusive manner toward his son.
During another visit to the coffee shop, Myers overheard a conversation between Earhart and Noonan wherein she commented that she knew her husband was up to something and that he wouldnât tell her anything, that he wouldnât even talk to her anymore.
On one occasion, Myers reported that as he was walking home from the coffee shop, he âsaw Putnam hitting his son . . . and yelling at him for leaving the parked car.â He claimed that on seeing him, Putnam pushed his son aside and approached Myers, angry. Putnam demanded to know what Manning and Earhart had told him in the coffee shop. Before Myers could reply, Putnam yelled, âYouâve heard and seen a lot of things you were not supposed to, kid, havenât you?â Myers continued walking away but Putnam screamed at him to stay away from the airport. Myers then stated that Putnam said, âYouâd better stay away from here. I donât want to see you around here again. If I catch you around here again, you will disappear and no one will know where to find you.â
As a young boy, Myers was unaware of the import of what he heard and observed. His recollections of that period, however, would contribute to unraveling one or more of the mysteries that were beginning to surround Amelia Earhart and would continue to do so long after her disappearance.
Over the years, a number of Earhart enthusiasts have been critical of Robert Myersâs accounts regarding the aviatrix, in large part because those accounts differed from the criticsâ own points of view. For a time, Myers became defensive about the criticism and refused to talk about his relationship with Earhart. Then, as an adult, he subjected himself to a series of lie detector tests. The results indicated he was not making up any of his stories.
⢠14 ⢠Fred Noonan
F rom all outward appearances, it seemed as though Fred Noonan was the ideal partner to accompany Amelia Earhart on her planned around-the-world flight. For those intimate with Noonan and his history, however, his selection as navigator was a surprise to many and has caused numerous questions to be raised over the years.
Noonan was forty-four years old at the time of the preparations for the flight. Noonan claimed to have been born in Chicago, but no record of such has ever been found. Allegedly, he attended public schools in Chicago as well as a private military academy. The name of the academy is unknown. In addition, he claimed to have studied at the London Nautical College. Documents to support these contentions have never been
Years later it was learned that around this time, Army Air Corp Corporal Joseph Pelligrini was assigned to the first photo mapping group at Bolling Field, Washington, D.C. Pelligriniâs assignment was to draw up the guidelines for installing cameras in a âcivilian aircraft to be flown by a female pilot engaged in an intelligence flight.â According to Pelligrini, a female pilot was to take photographs of Japanese mandated islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Days later while seated at a table in the coffee shop with Earhart and Noonan, Myers witnessed the aviatrix yelling at her navigator and asking him what he knew about all of the camera equipment that had been added to the airplane. She asked him, âWhy is [Putnam] doing all of this? Why wonât he tell me a thing?â Noonan responded that he was in the dark about the entire matter.
Myers noticed Putnam coming and going at the airport more often as the time approached for the around-the-world flight. Myers came to the conclusion that Putnam was in charge of the entire enterprise, that he was making all of the decisions related to the flight. Myers found Putnam to be âa most disagreeable personâ and observed him behaving in an abusive manner toward his son.
During another visit to the coffee shop, Myers overheard a conversation between Earhart and Noonan wherein she commented that she knew her husband was up to something and that he wouldnât tell her anything, that he wouldnât even talk to her anymore.
On one occasion, Myers reported that as he was walking home from the coffee shop, he âsaw Putnam hitting his son . . . and yelling at him for leaving the parked car.â He claimed that on seeing him, Putnam pushed his son aside and approached Myers, angry. Putnam demanded to know what Manning and Earhart had told him in the coffee shop. Before Myers could reply, Putnam yelled, âYouâve heard and seen a lot of things you were not supposed to, kid, havenât you?â Myers continued walking away but Putnam screamed at him to stay away from the airport. Myers then stated that Putnam said, âYouâd better stay away from here. I donât want to see you around here again. If I catch you around here again, you will disappear and no one will know where to find you.â
As a young boy, Myers was unaware of the import of what he heard and observed. His recollections of that period, however, would contribute to unraveling one or more of the mysteries that were beginning to surround Amelia Earhart and would continue to do so long after her disappearance.
Over the years, a number of Earhart enthusiasts have been critical of Robert Myersâs accounts regarding the aviatrix, in large part because those accounts differed from the criticsâ own points of view. For a time, Myers became defensive about the criticism and refused to talk about his relationship with Earhart. Then, as an adult, he subjected himself to a series of lie detector tests. The results indicated he was not making up any of his stories.
⢠14 ⢠Fred Noonan
F rom all outward appearances, it seemed as though Fred Noonan was the ideal partner to accompany Amelia Earhart on her planned around-the-world flight. For those intimate with Noonan and his history, however, his selection as navigator was a surprise to many and has caused numerous questions to be raised over the years.
Noonan was forty-four years old at the time of the preparations for the flight. Noonan claimed to have been born in Chicago, but no record of such has ever been found. Allegedly, he attended public schools in Chicago as well as a private military academy. The name of the academy is unknown. In addition, he claimed to have studied at the London Nautical College. Documents to support these contentions have never been
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