Evening star., 1927-05-03

four officials and then Lieut.. White
head was welcomed.
The San Antonio had landed by
| this time and was taxing up to the
line. The party then walked to that
plane and welcomed Capt. Mcdaniel
and Lieut.. Robinson. The San Fran
cisco was the third plane to come up
alongside the New York II and the
San Antonio, and the same greetings
| were extended Capt. Eaker and Lieut.
| Fairchild. With the arrival of the st.
| Louis and a welcome for Lieut..
| Thompson and Lieut.. Weddington,
the group then walked in the direc-
ton OF the presidential box.
The President. who had been stand
ing on the steps of the stand alone
while the flyers were being greeted,
then stepped out a few PAGES with
Secretary Kellogg and met the air
men. Secretary Davis introduced Maj.
Dargue and the others in turnsand
the President gave each airman a
hearty handshake.
After he had welcomed the airmen
in the name of the Nation, the Presi-
dent handed the flyers certificates for
the Distinguished Flying Cross. He
called each officer by name and that
airman stepped forward, took the
coveted honor, bowed his thanks and
returned to his place.
Delivers Letters to Coolidge.
Mai. Dargue then handed the Presi.
dent a number OF letters which he said
bore greetings from the Latin Ameri-
can countries he had visited and which
he had been requested to deliver to
the Executive. The other officials
withdrew, leaving the President stand
ing in the midst of the airmen, with
Mai. Dargue on his right and Capt.
Eaker on his left, while photographers
took pictures.
The airmen then broke from their
alignment and rushed into the out
stretched arms of their families. Maj.
Dargue was greeted by his mott er,
father and Mrs. Dargue and host of
friends. The parents and wife OF
Lieut.. Robinson likewise overwhelmed
this officer, although his mother and
father, the latter SIS years old and
the former IL years old, appeared too
dazed to realize they were holding their
son in their arms.
Capt. Eaker's wife showered him
with hugs and kisses and then the
two were almost forced to go through
the same program of greeting for the
benefit of the cameramen. The wives
of Lieut. Whitehead and Lieut..
Thompson likewise gave their hus-
bands a warm welcome.
For a full Is minutes following the
official reception the airmen were
caught in jam of adniring friends.
Mai Dargue was warmly embraced
while brother officers and friends in
civilian life patted him on the shoul-
ders. Everybody talked at once and
the most the flyers could say was
Hello"
Citations Made Public.
Surviving the welcome, the airmen
split into groups and were taken from
the field in automobiles. Maj. Dargue
and Capt. Eaker went to their re-
spective homes here, while the other
airmen accompanied friends.
Maj. Dargue's citation reads as
follows:
Herbert A. Dargue, major, Air
Corps, United States Army For
extraordinary achievement while par
ticipating in an aerial fight. Maj.
Dargue, as one of the pilots of the
airplane New York and as command
ing officer of the pan-American flight,
December 81, 1926, to May 2, 1927, by
his untiring energy, broad vision and
technical knowledge assisted material
ly in the organization of this i'm
portant expedition. His leadership,
skill. sound judgment and courageous
conduct We're vital factors in bringing
to a successful completion this mis-
sion of good will. In the excellent
performance Of his many important
duties he brought great cerdit to him.
self and to the Army of the United
States and contributed to the cause of
pan-American amity."
The certificates for all other men,
bers OF the flight cite them for extraor-
binary achievement while participat-
after naming the officer and the air.
plane of which he was pilot, the cita-
ton reads:
q. during the pan-American
flight, December 21, 1925. TO May 2,
1927, displayed initiative. resourceful-
ness and high degree of skill under
the many trying conditions encoun-
tered throughout the fight. His tire
less energy, sound judgment and per-
sonai courage contributed materially
to the successful completion OF this
mission of good will. In the efficient
performance Of his arduous duties he
aided in the accomplishment of an
exploit which brought great credit to
himself and to the Army of the United
States"
Posthumous Awards Made.
Posthumous awards Of the distin-
guished flying cross also have been
made to Capt. Clinton F. Woolsey and
First Lieut.. John w. Benton, Air
Corps. The citations are for extraor-
dinary achievement while participat.
ing in an aerial fight. In each case
it is stated:
%. as one Of the pilots of the
airplane Detroit during the Pan
American fight, starting on December
81, 1925, displayed initiative, resource
fulness and a high degree of skill
under the many trying conditions en-
countered. Tireless energy, sound
judgement and personal courage
characterized his contribution to the
success of the expedition until Feb
ruary 26, 1927, when, due TO an acct
dent at Buenos Aires. Argentina, re.
sulting in the complete destruction Of
his airplane, he made the supreme
sacrifice. In the official performance
of his arduous duties he aided in the
accomplishment of an exploit which
brought great credit to himself and
to the Army of the United States