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ANOTHER 'FIRST' FOR COL. DAVIS
[[image: photo of a woman shaking the hand of a man in military uniform]]

Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., first Negro to command a U.S. military base, shattered another precedent during "Air Force Day" ceremonies at Godman Field, Ky., when he pinned the Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster on white Mrs. Mattie L. Kantlehner, the wife of S. Sgt. William A Kantlehner 8th Air Force gunner, who is listed as missing in action. It marked the first time in Army history that a Negro officer has pinned a medal on a white. Mrs. Kantlehner, who resides with her baby daughter, Jane, in Louisville, witnessed a parade of Godman Field personnel following the presentation.
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[[duplicate image of above]]
Honor For Missing Flyer ^[[1945]]
AS PART OF THE "AIR FORCE DAY" ceremonies at Godman Field, Ky., Col. B.C. Davis presented to Mrs. Mattie L. Kantlehner and Air Medal with one Oak Leaf cluster. Mrs. Kantlehner's husband, S/Sgt. William A. Kantlehner of Louisville, is listed as missing in action. Shown above is Col. Davis presenting the award. The Kantlehneer's three-year-old daughter, Jane, is in center.
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NASM PRESERVATION PHOTOCOPY - 19 April 2001