MAJOR GEN. CALEB VANCE HAYNES MERCY FLIGHT CERTIFICATE OF AWARD

MAJOR GEN. CALEB VANCE HAYNES MERCY FLIGHT CERTIFICATE OF AWARD

National Aeronautic Association Certificate of Award issued to Haynes and the crew of the Boeing XB-15 flown by them, 1p. 8.25 x 12.6 (sight), Sep. 3, 1940, recognizing their Army Air Corps flight on Feb. 4-6, bringing urgently needed relief supplies to Chile in a remarkable long-distance endurance flight. The award reads, in part: "...the most meritorious flight of the year 1939, made at the request of the American Red Cross...urgently need vaccine and other medical supplies�the XB-15, loaded to absolute maximum capacity, and under the superior pilotage of Major Caleb V. Haynes, took off from Langley Field...penetration of unfavorable flying weather, a night landing at Panama, night take-offs...landed on schedule...a flight of 4,933 miles...conditions that were extremely hazardous and exacting..." The award also lists the names and ranks of the eleven crew members. Simply framed, fine. CALEB VANCE HAYNES (1895-1966) was a U.S. Air Force major general and one of the most important and talented military aviators and commanders of World War II. Haynes organized the Assam-Burma-China Ferry Command and evacuated Burma with the Chinese and RAF. He then went to China to organize and command the Bomber Command of the China Air Task Force under Gen. Claire Chennault. He later returned to India to organize the India Air Task Force of the 10th Air Force.