Honoring the Only Solo Lithuanian Pilot to Cross the Atlantic and the Enduring Legacy of Lituanica II
In September 2025, Lithuanians worldwide will gather to commemorate the 90th anniversary of one of the most daring solo transatlantic flights in aviation history. This was no ordinary feat. It was the mission of Feliksas Vaitkus – a U.S. Army aviator, son of Lithuanian immigrants, and determined trailblazer who crossed the Atlantic alone in a single-engine aircraft named Lituanica II. He was the only solo transatlantic pilot of 1935 and the sixth person in the world to have ever accomplished such a feat.
His name is less well-known than Darius and Girėnas, but his legacy is no less worthy. Vaitkus stood not just for technical achievement but for cultural determination. He symbolized a bridge between the homeland and the diaspora, and he proved that even when tragedy interrupts a dream, as it did for Darius and Girėnas, the mission can continue with courage and faith.
On September 20, 2025, a significant event will be held in his memory in Kohler, Wisconsin, where Vaitkus is buried. The event will include a ceremony at his grave, a lecture by historian Dr. Robertas Vitas, and a visit to the Wisconsin Aviation Heritage Center. A bus will depart from the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Chicago to bring participants to the commemoration. This event reminds us: the legacy of Lituanica II is not forgotten. (More: )
From Kaunas Roots to American Skies
Feliksas Vaitkus was born in 1907 to Lithuanian parents who had immigrated to the United States. Growing up in Chicago, he retained a strong sense of Lithuanian identity while embracing life in his new country. His early interest in aviation led him to join the U.S. Army Air Corps, where he developed his skills as a pilot and served with distinction.
By the early 1930s, Vaitkus had built a reputation as a disciplined and capable aviator. At the same time, the Lithuanian-American community was grieving the loss of two national heroes: Steponas Darius and Stasys Girėnas, who had perished during their transatlantic flight in 1933 aboard the original Lituanica. Their crash in Germany did not diminish their status – in fact, it galvanized the diaspora.
In 1934, the American Lithuanian Transatlantic Air Flight Association (ALTASS) was formed with a clear goal: to continue what Darius and Girėnas had begun and to prove that the Lithuanian spirit could cross oceans, literally.
ALTASS and the Choice of Vaitkus
Initially, ALTASS had selected another pilot, but that candidate withdrew due to disagreements. The association then turned to Feliksas Vaitkus, whose dual identity as both an American military pilot and a devoted Lithuanian made him a natural successor.
Vaitkus accepted the challenge not as a stunt, but as a patriotic obligation. It was more than flying – it was about proving that Lithuanian identity could soar in both spirit and action. As he later stated in interviews, the flight was:
“not only for aviation, but for the nation.”
Building the Lituanica II
To make the flight possible, ALTASS purchased a Lockheed L-5C Vega, a top-tier single-engine aircraft at the time, for $15,000 – a significant sum during the Great Depression. The plane was named Lituanica II, in honor of its predecessor.
Modifications were carried out by Antanas Brotz, Vaitkus’s father-in-law and a skilled engineer. The enhancements included:
- Additional fuel tanks for transatlantic range
- A reinforced landing gear
- Installation of a radio compass for navigation
- A Pratt & Whitney Wasp engine for reliable power
- A symbolic paint job: white fuselage with orange wings, echoing the original Lituanica
This was no ordinary aircraft – it was a mission capsule, built with sacrifice, community donations, and emotional investment from the entire Lithuanian-American population.
The Waiting Game in New York
In May 1935, Vaitkus arrived at Floyd Bennett Field in New York, ready to begin his historic mission. But nature had other plans. The North Atlantic is notoriously unpredictable, and for almost four months, the weather remained unsuitable for safe takeoff.
During this time, Vaitkus and his small support team focused on rigorous test flights and equipment checks. Every system had to work. He knew that unlike Darius and Girėnas, he would be flying alone – and with only instruments to guide him through inevitable storms and fog.
Takeoff and Terror – September 21, 1935
On the early morning of September 21, 1935, the weather finally cleared. At 6:45 a.m., with his wife Martha and engineer Brotz at his side, Vaitkus boarded Lituanica II. Friends, ALTASS members, and Lithuanian Consul Kazimieras Daužvardis saw him off.
Soon after takeoff, he encountered the exact difficulties he had feared:
- Heavy fog and near-zero visibility
- Sleet and freezing rain
- Severe icing on the wings
- Multiple altitude adjustments to avoid turbulence
Despite the chaos, Vaitkus never lost control. He flew by instruments alone for the majority of the flight, relying on intermittent weather updates from radio stations in Ireland. His endurance was tested to the limit.
After 18 hours in the air, and with fuel reserves running lower than planned, he knew he had to land – but not in Lithuania.
Ireland: A Rough Landing and a Safe Hero
The weather over Europe was still covered in fog, and Vaitkus decided to land in Ballinrobe, Ireland. The landing field was a rough patch of grass, not suited for a heavy aircraft. The result:
- Right wing damaged
- Landing gear collapsed
- Propeller bent
But Vaitkus himself walked away unharmed.
A group of astonished Irish farmers were the first to greet him. Their disbelief turned to admiration when they realized the pilot had flown from America alone. He had completed the Atlantic crossing. He was now the sixth person in world history to achieve this feat solo.
A Hero’s Welcome in Lithuania
Though he did not land in Lithuania, the country greeted him as if he had. On October 2, 1935, Feliksas Vaitkus arrived in Kaunas to a grand reception. He was celebrated with:
- Ceremonies and processions
- Meetings with President Antanas Smetona
- Recognition by the Lithuanian Armed Forces
- Applause from civil organizations and scouts
His arrival was not only a celebration of one man’s bravery but a cultural moment that reconnected the homeland with its people abroad. The original Lituanica had carried national hope. Lituanica II brought fulfillment – proof that Lithuanian identity was alive on both sides of the Atlantic.
Life After the Flight – Service, War, and Leadership
After his triumph, Vaitkus returned to the United States and resumed his aviation studies. When World War II began, he joined the U.S. Army Air Forces and later became a test pilot for Boeing, where he worked on experimental military aircraft.
His career continued into the Korean War, and over time, he rose through the ranks, eventually achieving the title of Lieutenant Colonel.
Yet despite his decorated service and technical achievements, he never chased fame. He remained grounded in his Lithuanian identity and commitment to duty, both military and cultural.
Sadly, Vaitkus died in 1956, at the age of 49, leaving behind a legacy that would take decades to reawaken fully.
Awards & Recognitions
During his lifetime, Vaitkus was honored in both the United States and Lithuania. Among the awards he received:
- Steel Wings Honor Badge (1935-10-11)
- Order of Vytautas the Great, 3rd Class (1935)
- Scout S. Order (1935)
- Honorary Member of the Lithuanian Aero Club (1935)
- Honorary Šaulys Title (1935)
Each of these honors reflected his significance to the state, to civil society, and the broader Lithuanian identity, both at home and abroad.
What Happened to Lituanica II?
After its crash-landing in Ireland, the aircraft was disassembled and transported to Lithuania. For a time, it was used as a training exhibit for aspiring aviators.
However, during the Soviet occupation, it was destroyed – likely as part of broader efforts to erase symbols of pre-Soviet nationalism and diaspora connection.
Today, only photographs and written records remain of Lituanica II. But its symbolism has outlived its physical form.
The 2025 Commemoration
In recognition of his historical role, a special commemorative event will take place on September 20, 2025. The anniversary is organized by Lithuanian-American institutions and will be held in Kohler, Wisconsin, where Vaitkus is buried.
- A bus will depart from Chicago in the morning (8:00 a.m.) from the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary (6812 S. Washtenaw Ave.), providing convenient access for community members.
- The day will include a graveside ceremony, remarks by Dr. Robertas Vitas, and a visit to the Wisconsin Aviation Heritage Center. Participants will return to Chicago by 3:30 p.m.
- The travel cost is $40 per person, and registration is available via phone:
+1(773) 704 4643 or +1(630) 484 0172. - Official poster for the Lituanica II – 90th Anniversary Commemoration, honoring Feliksas Vaitkus on September 20, 2025, with events in Kohler, WI, and organized transport from Chicago.
The Sky Hero We Must Not Forget
Feliksas Vaitkus didn’t land in Kaunas, but he landed in the hearts of an entire nation. His transatlantic flight proved that the mission of Darius and Girėnas could live on, even when surrounded by doubt, poor weather, and overwhelming odds.
He is a symbol of discipline, resilience, and diaspora pride. As we mark 90 years since Lituanica II defied the Atlantic, we do not just remember the man – we remember the mission. It was, and still is, about loyalty to one’s homeland and the courage to cross vast distances for something greater than oneself.
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Reference List
- “Feliksas Vaitkus.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felix_Waitkus
- “Vytauto Didžiojo Karo Muziejus.” Official Website of the Vytautas the Great War Museum. https://www.vdkaromuziejus.lt/
- “90th Anniversary Commemoration Poster.” Lithuanian National Guard / sauliai.org.
- “Lituanica: The Tragic Flight of Darius and Girėnas.” Encyclopedia Lituanica. https://encyclopedia.lithuanianfoundation.org/wiki/Lituanica
- “Lockheed Vega.” Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/lockheed-vega/nasm_A19720921000
- “Antrosios “Lituanica” skrydis.” Plieno Sparnai. https://www.plienosparnai.lt/page.php?938
Roma Bikulčius is one of the most dedicated and long-serving Vice Commanders of the Lithuanian National Guard. Her decades of tireless leadership and heartfelt service have left a lasting impact on the Lithuanian diaspora across the United States and beyond. Admired for her unwavering commitment to unity, heritage, and national identity, Roma continues to be a guiding force in fostering patriotism, cultural pride, and community spirit among Lithuanians worldwide. Her work stands as a living testament to the strength and resilience of the Šauliai in exile.
