Description printed on back of photograph: "A group at the State Department. Left to Right: Edward Lund, Harry MC. Connor, Howard Hughes, Secretary of State Cordell Hull, Lt. Thomas Thurlow and Richard Stoddart. July 1938."
Howard Hughes (wearing hat) receives congratulations from Mayor Fiorello La Guardia at Floyd Bennett Airport in Brooklyn. The gentleman wearing a polka dot bow tie, standing behind the mayor is Grover Whalen. Mr. Whalen was president of the 1939 New York World's Fair.