Description

Benjamin Scoville Kelsey receives a medal from A. R. Crawford at an award cermony. Two unidentified men in military uniform stand at attention to the right. Original caption: "Colonel A. R. Crawford of the Materiel Command, United States Army Air Forces, Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, places the Distinguished Service Medal on Benjamin S. Kelsey, '28, colonel in the Air Forces. Awarded the Dinstinguished Flying Cross in 1938 for his action in landing a bomber after fire had severely damaged one wing in a night flight, Colonel Kelsey was officially cited for the Distinguished Service Medal for 'exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility . . . in the capacity of project officer . . . in the development of an airplane which has achieved outstanding tactical success. He contributed more than any other individual to the advanced engineering development of the P-38 . . . Without his untiring effort, courage and faith, this aircraft could not have attained its present stage of military utility. . . .'" Used in: Technology Review, November 1943, p. 36. Original credit line: U.S. Army Air Forces, 123545.