On May 10, 1922, Lorrin A. Thurston became the first person to raise the American flag on the atoll and read an annexation proclamation.Rauzon, Mark J. (2016). Isles of Amnesia: The History, Geography, and Restoration of America's Forgotten Pacific Islands. University of Hawai'i Press, Latitude 20. Page 106. . The Palmyra Copra Co. intended to use Kingman as a fishing base, as demand for copra had declined after World War I and Palmyra Island lacked a suitable anchorage. Thurston formally claimed Kingman for the United States by reading the following declaration while standing on its shore: Be it known to all people: That on the tenth of May, A.D. 1922, the undersigned agent of the Island of Palmyra Copra Co., Ltd., landed from the motorship Palmyra doth, on this tenth day of May, A.D. 1922, take formal possession of this island, called Kingman Reef, situated in longitude 162 degrees 18' west and 6 degrees 23' north, on behalf of the United States of America and claim the same for said company. A copy of the declaration, along with a U.S. flag and clippings from The Honolulu Advertiser newspaper, were left on Kingman to document the claim.
On May 10 1922 Lorrin A Thurston became the first person to raise the American flag on the atoll and read an annexation proclamationRauzon Mark J (2016) Isles of Amnesia The History Geography and Restoration of America's Forgotten Pacific Islands University of Hawai'i Press Latitude 20 Page 106  The Palmyra Copra Co intended to use Kingman as a fishing base as demand for copra had declined after World War I and Palmyra Island lacked a suitable anchorage Thurston formally claimed Kingman for the United States by reading the following declaration while standing on its shore Be it known to all people That on the tenth of May AD 1922 the undersigned agent of the Island of Palmyra Copra Co Ltd landed from the motorship Palmyra doth on this tenth day of May AD 1922 take formal possession of this island called Kingman Reef situated in longitude 162 degrees 18' west and 6 degrees 23' north on behalf of the United States of America and claim the same for said company A copy of the declaration along with a US flag and clippings from The Honolulu Advertiser newspaper were left on Kingman to document the claim