American Air Museum in Britain

IWM catalogue record

This contains information written on the back of the original print and some of it may be inaccurate.

Major General Carl Spaatz awards Major Charles Kegelman, Lieutenant Randall M Dorton, Sergeant Robert Golay and Sergeant Bennie Cunningham of the 301st Bomb Group with medals. Image stamped on reverse: 'Graphic Photo Union.' [stamp], and '003348.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'AMERICAN PILOTS DECORATED. Pilots of the American Army Air Corps, who celebrated American Independence Day (July 4th) by taking part with the RAF in a daylight bombing raid on German occupied territory in Europe, were today decorated at an aerodrome somewhere in England [censor has ammended this to read: 'Britain'] 11/7/42. OPS MAJOR GENERAL SPAATZ (Air Corps Chief in Europe of the United States Army Air Force) is seen pinning the Distinguished Service Cross on Captain [ammended to 'Major'] Kegelman, the pilot of one of the machines that took part in the raid. His machine was hit by flak over the target area, the propellor and nose of one of his starboard engines being shot off and on fire. The Boston Bomber hit the ground damaging the starboard wing and holing the fuselage. Capt [ammended to 'Major'] Kegelman recovered control and through intense anti-aircraft fire, brought the machine back to base on one engine.'

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