James J. Ward

James J. Ward (born Jens P. Wilson; 1886 in Denmark – January 7, 1923)^[1] was a pioneer aviator who made one of the earliest attempts at transcontinental flight. He was also known as Jimmie Ward.

He flew a Curtiss Model D pusher biplane named the "Hearst Pathfinder". On September 13, 1911, he attempted to win the William Randolph Hearst Prize flying from Governors Island in New York to California.^[2] He withdrew from the race on September 22, 1911, after his aircraft's engine failed and he crashed in Addison, New York.^[3]