Charles Kingsford Smith was an Australian pilot born in 1897 who was renowned for his pioneering flights, including being the first to fly across the Pacific Ocean. He served as a fighter pilot in World War I and was awarded a Military Cross. After the war, he performed aerial stunts and helped pioneer commercial aviation in Australia. In 1928, he flew from California to Brisbane, becoming the first to cross the Australian continent and Tasman Sea by plane. Kingsford Smith later went missing in 1935 during an attempted record-breaking flight, and his plane was never found. He received numerous honors for his achievements and contributions to aviation.