L-R: Edward Underwood, Commander of the Hollywood American Legion Motion Picture Post #43; Howard Hughes, Managing Director of production for RKO Pictures; John D. Home, Department Commander of the American Legion.
Description given with photo: "Howard Hughes sits with his witnesses at Senate War Invest. Hearing. 1st row (l to r): Glen Odekirk & Thomas Slack; 2nd row (l to r): E. A. Peterman, Richard (?), & Howard Hughes; 3rd row (l to r): Edward Schwartz, John Parkinson, & John R. (?)."
Transcribed from press release attached to photo: "HUGHES READY FOR TAKE-OFF IN SECOND XF-11 FLIGHT. CULVER CITY, Calif., April 5 -- Howard Hughes, famed flier-industrialist, recovered from injuries following crash last July 7, is shown here just before he test-piloted today a duplicate of the plane in which he nearly lost his life. He designed and built the plane, designated XF-11, and one of the world's fastest photo-reconnaissance ships, for the Army Air Forces in conjunction with the Air Materiel Command engineers.