Zachary Lansdowne

He earned the Navy Cross for his participation in the first transoceanic airship flight while assigned to the British R34 in 1919.

Born in Greenville, Ohio, Lansdowne was appointed to the United States Naval Academy September 2, 1905, and commissioned Ensign June 5, 1911.

Lansdowne was assigned to duty with the Royal Naval Air Service during and after World War I, to study dirigibles.

He was awarded the Navy Cross "for distinguished service...as one of the crew of the British airship R-34, which in July 1919, made the first successful nonstop passage from England to the United States."

On February 11, 1924, Lansdowne took command of the rigid lighter-than-air ship, USS Shenandoah (ZR-1), and was killed when she crashed at Ava, Ohio, September 3, 1925.