Roland Rohlfs was born in Buffalo, New York on February 10, 1892, the son of Anna Katharine Green, the crime novelist; and Charles Rohlfs, the actor and furniture craftsman.

[1] Rohlfs flew a hydro-aeroplane called the "Dunkirk Fighter" for Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company in 1918.

Later that year he broke the flight airspeed record while flying a Curtiss Wasp, his speed was clocked at 163.1 mph (262.4 km/h).

In 1919 he broke another world record when he flew to an altitude of 34,610 feet in a Curtiss L-3 triplane (at - 47 degrees Fahrenheit).

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