Lt. Ross C. Kirkpatrick piloted Airplane #4 in the New York to Nome Alaskan Flying Expedition, July 15 to October 20, 1920. Four airships, under the Command of Captain St. Clair Streett of the U.S. Amy Air Service, covered 4500 miles, via the Yukon Territory, Juneau, Skagway, Whitehorse, Dawson, Fairbanks, and Ruby. Round trip, they covered 9000 miles in 112 hours flying time.

Lt. Kirkpatrick was the first airman to fly up Gastineau Channel. His airplane, first sighted over Thane around 2:30 p.m. Aug. 16, 1920, flew over Front Street, Main Street, the Courthouse Building and up the Channel. A package containing the first copy of the New York Times to arrive in Alaska via airmail was dropped on the roof of the Brunswick Hotel. A letter of thanks from Governor Thomas Riggs, Jr. is included in this collection.

Lt. Kirkpatrick was granted his request for discharge from the Army in 1922. In 1929 he was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his historic flight. He was married to Marie Pendleton.