MAJOR GEN. CALEB VANCE HAYNES PRESENTATION CIGARETTE BOX FROM BOEING

MAJOR GEN. CALEB VANCE HAYNES PRESENTATION CIGARETTE BOX FROM BOEING
Most attractive and important presentation sterling silver cigarette box presented to Chief Pilot and future Major General Caleb Vance Haynes by aircraft manufacturer Boeing in recognition of his life-saving endurance flight to Chile in February 1939 as commander of the experimental Boeing XB-15 carrying emergency supplies to survivors of a devastating earthquake. The box, hallmarked by E. G. Webster & Son, measures 10 x 3.5 x 2.25 in. deep. The top of the hinged lid bears an engraved front view of the B-15, and Boeing's trademark appears at lower-right. The inside of the lid is further engraved: "In Recognition of a Memorable Flight On An Errand of Mercy to the Quake-Stricken Areas of Chile February 4-6, 1939". There follows a listing of the names of all of the crew members on the flight, with the engraving concluding: "Sincere Congratulations Boeing Aircraft Company". The interior of the box contains for cedar lined compartments. The flight was an enormous success, not only for Boeing whose B-15 prototype proved its reliability, but for the Air Corps as well. 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.