[esaym]

Similar articles have been posted before. All of them are based on the book "The Long Way Home". I bought it for my 88 year old grandfather last Christmas. He power read through the thing in a couple of hours and handed it back to me, telling me to read it too.

Certainly an interesting read. But with a little more historical context, you will find that even as early as the 1930's, the US was worried about dominance in the Pacific. They used the consumer travel market and Pan Am as an excuse to built bases and refueling networks all across the Pacific. Quite good foresight that certainly helped out once WWII broke out. (there's another book with these details but I can't remember the name of it)

[rb808]

>They used the consumer travel market and Pan Am as an excuse to built bases and refueling networks all across the Pacific

Lol that's funny when you read about China building a cruise ship wharf in Vanuatu a few weeks back. No its not for military use at all. :) https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/10/asia/vanuatu-china-australia-...

[protomyth]

For an early history of Pan Am and the Pacific check "China Clipper: The Age of the Great Flying Boats" by Robert Gandt. It’s second half is pretty much Pan Am only.

[ghaff]

Also An American Saga: Juan Trippe and his PanAm empire. Talks a lot about building Pacific refueling stops like at Wake.

[dredmorbius]

Concern over the Pacific predates the 1930s.

Guano Islands Act, Cal Perry, Great White Fleet, Span-Am War.

[baud147258]

I'm sure this exact article has already been posted.