Frederick Raymond Reynolds, Sr.

Supplementary information via email from Stephen J. Stillwell, Jr., 2-29-04      My mother, the former Jean-Marie Reynolds, is the third daughter and child of the late Frederick Raymond Reynolds, sr. of Mount Holly, New Jersey. My maternal grandfather was a member of the team that recovered the body of Emilio Carranza following the deadly crash of the Excelsior. He also accompanied the body of the great aviator back to Mexico. Unfortunately, my grandfather shared very little of this experience with me. As an historian, I am sorry that I did not sit him down and get the whole story from him before he died. My family connection with the events of that day continue, as my father is the owner of Bob White Flower Shop in Mount Holly which has for years supplied nearly a dozen wreaths for the annual remembrance services at the crash site.      Attached to this e-mail are digital photographs of the medals my grandfather received for his role in the story. First, there is the Carranza medal.

OBVERSE The obverse is a likeness of Carranza. At the top is the date "1929." Starting from the back of his head and running to the front of the base of his neck, it reads "XII.9.05 * V.25.28 * VI.12.28" -- then there is an olive branch. The periods are raised so that they are centered vertically and the five-point stars are also centered vertically.

REVERSE The reverse is an etching of the front half of the plane. The words on this side are roughly positioned as follows: AL AVIADOR EMILIO CARRANZA, LA CASA DE MONEDA DE MEXICO   VUELO MEXICO-WASHINGTON.

Additionally, my grandfather received the Order of Military Merit, 3rd class. It is also shown in the digital photographs in its presentation case.

The inside cover of the case reads: LA ESMERALDA Joyeria y Relojeria The medal reads: "Merito Militar" above the Eagle and "3a Clase" below.      I hope this little bit of my family history adds to the overall understanding of Emilio Carranza and his tragic death, so many years ago. Stephen J. Stillwell, Jr.

 

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