“R” is for Redfern, Paul Rinaldo [1902-1927]. Aviator. During World War I Redfern worked in an aircraft company in New Jersey, but returned home after the war to graduate from Columbia High School. With several helpers he assembled an airplane and became a noted stunt pilot at air exhibitions around the Southeast. In 1927 a group of prominent Brunswick, Georgia, businessmen agreed to underwrite a flight from their town to Rio de Janeiro. On August 25th, Redfern took off and was last sighted one hundred miles south of Ciudad Bolivar—only two flying hours from northern Brazil. Rumors circulated for decades that he was alive and being held prisoner by Indians in a remote locale along the Upper Amazon River. Despite several search-and-rescue missions, Paul Rinaldo Redfern and his airplane have never been found.
“R” is for Redfern, Paul Rinaldo [1902-1927]
