Gallant Journey

Father Dick Ball in San Diego reflects on his childhood friend, John J. Montgomery, the man who would become the first American to fly a glider in 1883. As early as 1879, John shared his dreams of flight with his girlfriend, Regina ‘Ginny’ Cleary(/actor/janet-blair), who believed in him and quietly supported his work, long before the world watched the first test flight in 1883, a moment that would earn him a place in aviation history. John even christened his creation an “aeroplane,” a term that sounded almost prophetic to those who witnessed his stubborn, hopeful push toward the skies.

John’s father, Zachary Montgomery, a powerful figure who had risen to Assistant Attorney General, feared for his son’s reputation and urged him to abandon the risky dream and instead pursue his clergy studies. Yet the stubborn spark in John persisted. He found allies in the faith community, especially in Father Kenton, a fellow priest who shared a fascination with flight and helped John navigate his path, even securing him a job at a Santa Clara workshop where his ideas could take shape.

Over the years, John built several model aircraft, each one a step closer to a full-scale ascent. However, a medical condition left him dizzy and prone to fainting spells, a serious barrier that doctors warned would likely keep him grounded for good. The news could have broken him, but his resolve endured, fueled by the memory of earlier encouragement and the prospect of proving his dream feasible.

Hope returns when he meets Dan Mahoney, a parachute enthusiast and performer who offers to lift the glider into the air with his hot air balloon, giving John a chance to test his invention from a higher vantage. With the encouragement of both fathers and the practical support of Dan, John achieves a successful first flight with his updated glider, a milestone that renews the ambition that nearly faltered years before. Yet even as interest grows, money remains tight, threatening to derail his pursuit just as momentum builds.

A sequence of misfortunes follows: Dan is killed during a test flight, and an earthquake destroys the fragile glider that held John’s hopes. Undeterred, John scrapes together the funds he needs—selling his belongings to amass $25,000—and even marries Regina, who stands by him through the hardships. However, a legal challenge arises when a man appears claiming ownership of an object John had sold to raise money, dragging him into a lengthy courtroom ordeal that drains his resources. Despite the setback, a judge ultimately rules in his favor, validating his efforts and his dream in the eyes of the law.

Refusing to yield to despair, John decides to embark on one final attempt to fly. He designs a new glider once more and prepares to pilot it himself. In mid-air, a dizzy spell returns, robbing him of control. He crashes to the ground, and his life ends hours later, leaving behind a legacy that would inspire generations of aviators.

This tale weaves a portrait of perseverance, faith, and the stubborn human desire to push beyond limits, where personal sacrifice, familial tension, and the unpredictable forces of nature collide in the quest to conquer the skies.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:32