Fred Noonan author of an article in "Journal of Navigation", Vol. 9, No. 3, December 2011, avers that due to insufficient fuel reserves from 1912 GMT, no land other than Howland itself and Baker at 45 miles could be reached. With a maximum ferry range of 2,740 statute miles even the closest islands Winslow Reef and McKean Island at 210 and 350 miles away respectively, were unreachable. Although Fred Noonan has left a much smaller mark in popular culture than Amelia Earhart's, his legacy is remembered sporadically. Noonan is often mentioned in W.P. Kinsella's novels. Noonan was portrayed by actor David Graf
Greg Noonan of Vermont Pub and Brewery since 1988. Noonan was a National Judge in the Beer Judge Certification Program. On October 11, 2009 Noonan passed away from a short battle with stage four lung cancer. In 1997, Noon received the Recognition Award from the American Homebrewers Association. In 2004, Noonan was awarded the Achievement Award from The Brewers Association in 2004 and then the following year (2005) the Russell Schehrer Award for Innovation in Brewing also from The Brewers Association. Greg Noonan Gregory "Greg" John Noonan (March 4, 1951 – October 11, 2009) was an American brewing expert who authored several