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May 23, 1947 City Editor The Detroit News 615 West Lafayette Avenue Detroit 26, Michigan Dear Sir: Mr. Ralph Watts wanted me to send this material to you. Attached are remarks which will be made at the Economic Club luncheon, Monday, May 26, 1947, by Malcolm Ferguson, President of Bendix, in presenting a plaque to Colonel Leon W. Gray, Commanding Officer of the 12th Reconnaissance Squadron of the AAF at March Field, California. Colonel Gray is flying the entire 12th Reconnaissance Squadron from California to Selfridge Field on Sunday. This may by the first time the AAF has moved an entire squadron across the country. The Bendix Trophy goes each year to the plane making the fastest time from Los Angeles to the National Air Races in Cleveland. It was first flown in 1931. The winner then was "Major" Jimmy Doolittle who covered the 2,050 miles at 223 miles per hour. Colonel Gray has now raised the record to 572 miles per hour. I am attaching a photograph of the plaque. Sincerely, BENDIX AVIATION CORPORATION W. A. Mara, Director Advertising and Publicity WAM:HNK