06/18/2026
Glynn County History—Do You Know about the ill-fated flight of Paul Redfern?
Did you know that around the time of Colonel Charles Lindbergh’s flight, twelve weeks later to be exact, a flight left from Sea Island beach piloted by the dashing young Paul Redfern? Paul Redfern was an American pilot and musician. In 1927, Redfern accepted a challenge for the sum of $25,000.00 to fly from Sea Island, Georgia, to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in a Stinson SM-1 Detroiter NX-773 nicknamed the “Port of Brunswick.”
Although Lindberg was observed flying inland over Venezuela, it is believed he crashed somewhere in the jungle.
Had Redfern reached his final destination of Rio de Janeiro, his 4,600-mile flight would have outdistanced Lindbergh. Awaiting Redfern at his final destination were the President of Brazil and Clara Bow, "The IT Girl" and famous movie star, along with thousands of other admirers and well-wishers. Tales of Redfern living in the jungle circulated for years, which prompted multiple search efforts to no avail.
A street in Rio de Janeiro and a shopping village on St. Simons still bear his name in his honor.
