How Lithuanian-American pilots carried the transatlantic dream from Lituanica to Lituanica II, keeping the spirit of a nation alive across the ocean.
A Flight That Refused to Die
In the summer of 1933, the world watched as two Lithuanian-American pilots, Steponas Darius and Stasys Girėnas, attempted to fly from New York to Kaunas in their aircraft Lituanica. Though their plane crashed in Germany, their mission echoed through generations. Just two years later, in 1935, another Lithuanian-American pilot – Feliksas Vaitkus – picked up where they left off, crossing the Atlantic alone in Lituanica II.
This is not a story of competition. It is a story of continuation. Of memory, responsibility, and identity carried across the ocean. When Vaitkus took to the sky, he wasn’t just flying an aircraft – he was continuing a national promise. The transatlantic dream of Lithuanians abroad would not be buried with Darius and Girėnas.
A Community That Refused to Let Go
The 1933 flight of Lituanica had a profound impact on the Lithuanian diaspora, particularly in the United States. The aircraft’s mission was to strengthen ties between the homeland and those who had settled abroad. It symbolized courage, skill, and loyalty.
When the flight ended in tragedy near Soldin, Germany (now Myślibórz, Poland), the emotional fallout was enormous. But instead of retreating into mourning, the community responded with action. In 1934, the American Lithuanian Transatlantic Air Flight Association (ALTASS) was formed to honor the legacy and continue the goal of a successful Lithuanian-led Atlantic crossing.
Their intent was not just to reach Lithuania. It was to show the world that the connection between American Lithuanians and their homeland remained strong, even stronger in grief.
Two Aircraft, One Mission
The two aircraft – Lituanica and Lituanica II – shared more than a name. They carried the same mission and spirit. But in terms of design and technology, they reflected the improvements of time and learning.
| Feature | Lituanica (1933) | Lituanica II (1935) |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Model | Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker | Lockheed L-5C Vega |
| Engine | Wright Whirlwind J6-9 | Pratt & Whitney Wasp |
| Crew | Two pilots (Darius and Girėnas) | Solo (Feliksas Vaitkus) |
| Navigation | No radio | Fitted with radio compass |
| Fuel Modifications | Custom tanks for 4,000+ km | Extra tanks for 5,000+ km |
| Outcome | Crashed in Germany | Landed in Ireland after 18-hour solo flight |
While Darius and Girėnas made history with minimal instrumentation and no radio assistance, Vaitkus benefited from newer technologies and flying experience gained in the U.S. Army Air Corps.
Still, the flight was not easy – Vaitkus faced storms, icing, and radio silence over vast parts of the ocean. Both missions were filled with risk. Both tested the limits of endurance and aviation.
Why Feliksas Vaitkus Was Chosen
The initial plan for the 1935 flight did not include Vaitkus. Another pilot was first selected, but internal disagreements with ALTASS led to his withdrawal. The organization turned to Feliksas Vaitkus, an experienced military pilot with Lithuanian heritage and a clear moral compass.
He accepted without hesitation. The flight would become his responsibility and legacy.
Vaitkus was known for being disciplined and methodical. Unlike the tragic outcome of Lituanica, his goal was to complete the mission, even if it meant not reaching Kaunas, but crossing the Atlantic.
His aircraft, Lituanica II, was modified under the supervision of his father-in-law, engineer Antanas Brotz, to include stronger landing gear, more fuel capacity, and navigational aids. The symbolism of naming the plane Lituanica II was never in doubt: this was a continuation, not a replacement.
Two Flights, One Story
While separated by two years, the flights of 1933 and 1935 belong to the same historical current. They demonstrate the same values:
- Unity across oceans
- Loyalty to cultural roots
- Courage beyond personal gain
- Pride in Lithuanian identity
Both crews took off from Floyd Bennett Field in New York. Both relied on support from the Lithuanian-American community. Both carried letters and messages from U.S. Lithuanians to the homeland. The letters were more than cargo – they were testaments of unity.
And both flights were driven by a cause larger than aviation. They were about the survival of memory and the importance of visibility for a nation still shaping its place in the modern world.
The 2025 Anniversary Connects It All
This year marks the 90th anniversary of Lituanica II’s flight. In comparison, many are familiar with the story of Darius and Girėnas; fewer recall Vaitkus. That is changing.
On September 20, 2025, a special event will be held in Kohler, Wisconsin, where Vaitkus is buried. It is organized in part by the Lithuanian National Guard (LNG) in exile and other diaspora organizations.
The day includes:
- A ceremony at Vaitkus’ gravesite
- A lecture by Dr. Robertas Vitas
- A visit to the Aviation Heritage Center of Wisconsin
- Bus transport from Chicago’s Blessed Virgin Mary Church
This event links both flights into one enduring memory. Darius and Girėnas started the story. Vaitkus carried it forward. And now, the Lithuanian community ensures that neither is forgotten.
The Meaning of Continuation
Feliksas Vaitkus never claimed to replace the memory of Darius and Girėnas. His flight was always presented as an extension – a respectful continuation of the journey cut short in 1933. ALTASS made this clear, and Vaitkus himself always honored his predecessors.
By calling his plane Lituanica II, the message was unmistakable: the story wasn’t finished. It couldn’t end with a crash. Not while the diaspora still had strength, vision, and resources to act. Vaitkus brought closure – not through reaching Kaunas, but through survival, determination, and his connection to both worlds.
What Lituanica II Gave Back to the Diaspora
In 1935, Lithuanian Americans were still striving to prove their value in a country that did not always recognize immigrant identity. Vaitkus’ achievement, carried out with military discipline and cultural purpose, gave the community something vital: proof of capability and dignity.
It told younger Lithuanians in America: we are not guests here – we are contributors. It said those in Lithuania: your people abroad still believe, still act, still care.
The flight also united hundreds of volunteers who raised funds, worked on logistics, and helped spread awareness. Newspapers in Chicago, Cleveland, and Boston covered the flight in Lithuanian and English, giving the diaspora unprecedented visibility.
Legacy Beyond Aviation
Feliksas Vaitkus’ later life included military service in World War II and the Korean War. He worked as a Boeing test pilot and earned the rank of lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Air Forces.
But his lasting legacy is not just military. It’s symbolic.
He became:
- A Šaulys in spirit – defending Lithuania’s name, even abroad
- A representative of disciplined patriotism
- A bridge between two generations of Lithuanian-American identity
- An example of loyalty without borders
His life reminds us that patriotism doesn’t end at the shoreline – and that identity can endure across distance and decades.
Looking Forward: A Mission Still Alive
The 2025 event is more than a memorial. It is a reminder that cultural memory requires action. When we gather at Vaitkus’ grave or remember him in Pagėgiai, we are not just honoring a past event. We are passing forward a living idea.
In the era of global migration, when many young people feel disconnected from their heritage, the story of Lituanica and Lituanica II offers a path back – a way to reclaim pride without politics and connection without nostalgia.
For those who attend the September commemoration, it will be a moment of reconnection. And for those who can’t, reading, sharing, and remembering keep the wings of these stories aloft.
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Reference List
- “Lituanica and Lituanica II: The Story of Lithuanian Transatlantic Flights.” Vytautas the Great War Museum. https://www.vdkaromuziejus.lt/
- “Felix Waitkus.” Wikipedia Entry. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felix_Waitkus
- “Honoring Darius and Girėnas: 91st Anniversary Event.” Lithuanian National Guard. https://sauliai.org/honoring-darius-and-girenas-907/
- “Darius and Girėnas.” Lithuanian Encyclopedia. https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/darius-ir-girenas/
- “Lockheed Vega: Aircraft Overview.” National Air and Space Museum. https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/lockheed-vega/nasm_A19720921000
- Event Details – Lituanica II – 90th Anniversary Commemoration (2025)
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.
