Description given with photo: "Hughes Inquiry Postponed, Washington D.C. : - In jovial mood despite "surprise" postponement of the Senate War Investigating Committee's Hughes inquiry, Howard Hughes, (center) chats briefly with reporters before leaving for the west coast. Hughes told reporters he would "welcome" reopening of the hearings any time. Creditline (ACME) 8/11/47."
From the Charles Aplin Photograph Collection (PH-00236). Howard H. Griswold, past Grad Noble of the Las Vegas Odd fellow Artesia Lodge No. 43, is shown receiving the Nevada Membership trophy from C.W. Aplin, district deputy.
Description printed on photograph's accompanying sheet of paper: "Hughes guest at National Press Club. Washington, D. C. -- After personally thanking Secretary of State Cordell Hull for his assistance in clearing the way for their round-the-world flight, Howard Hugehs and his four daring companions were guests at a luncheon of the National Press Club here, July 21st. Here Hughes is shown as he was congratulated at the club by Major General Oscar Westover, Chief of the Army Air Corps. Left to right: Howard Hughes, Constantine A. Dumansky, Counselor of the Soviet Embassy: General Westover, Jesse Jones, Chairman of the R. F. C. and Count De Saint-Quentin, the French Embassador."
Howard Hughes in the cockpit of his Douglas DC-3 aircraft. The photo was taken right before or after his first flight since the nearly fatal XF-11 crash in 1946.