DS as president, one page, 12 x 9.75, April 15, 1946. Official certificate awarded to naval officer and pioneering aviation mechanical engineer William F. Durand. In part: “This is to certify that the president of the United States of America in accordance with the order issued by General George Washington at Headquarters, Newburgh, New York, on August 7, 1782, and pursuant to Act of Congress, has awarded the Medal for Merit to Dr. William Frederick Durand for extraordinary fidelity and exceptionally meritorious conduct.” Signed at the conclusion by President Truman and countersigned by Secretary of State James F. Byrnes. Affixed at the top edge to a slightly larger scrapbook page with chipped edges. In very good condition, with toning and adhesive remnants to left edge. Accompanied by several other pages from Durand’s scrapbook bearing affixed letters and documents related to his service in the US Navy, including items signed by Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King, Secretary of the Navy William C. Whitney, Secretary of the Navy Claude A. Swanson, Rear Admiral George Balch, and Rear Admiral John G. Walker. Durand was a significant contributor to the development of aircraft propellors and was the first civilian chair of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, the forerunner of NASA. The Medal for Merit, bestowed upon him by President Truman with this document, is the highest civilian decoration of the United States and one of the many distinctive honors awarded to Durand during his lifetime. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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