MAJOR GEN. CALEB VANCE HAYNES PRESENTATION CHILEAN AIR FORCE WINGS

Early pair of pilot's wings presented to future Major Gen. Caleb Vance Haynes by the Chilean Air Force. The pin bears gilt wings and a silver star affixed to a red enamel backing, 3.125 in. long, with pin back. These wings were given to Haynes as thanks for his role in February 1939 as commander of the experimental Boeing XB-15 which carried urgent emergency supplies to Santiago, Chile, to help the survivors of the 1939 Chilean earthquake. Consigned directly by a linear descendant, with our letter of provenance. 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.