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
George H. Noonan George H. Noonan George Henry Noonan (August 20, 1828 – August 17, 1907) was a U.S. Representative from Texas who was born in Newark, New Jersey. He was the first Republican congressman from Texas to be elected after the end of Reconstruction. Prior to his election in 1894, he had served as an elected state judge since 1862. Born in Newark, New Jersey in 1828, Noonan received a liberal education. He studied law and was admitted to the bar. He started to practice law. At the age of 24, Noonan migrated west, moving to Texas in 1852. He settled in