[Marine Corps pilots at decoration ceremony, Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands]

Photograph of U.S. Marine Corps pilots at a decoration ceremony, Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands, November 20, 1943. A Vought F4U Corsair is visible in the background. The men, including O. Keith Williams, are identified in the verso caption.

Typed on verso: "FNAW-2200. Vella Lavella. 20, November 43. Photog: TSgt. D. White. Decoration of Marine Flyers in the South Pacific is often as informal as pictured here. These fighter pilots, at the end of a day's fights against the enemy, line up by a revetment to be decorated by their skipper. In the background is a Corsair fighter plane. Photo shows, left to right: 1st Lt. Robert E. Clark reading the citations, Major Robert G. Owens, Jr., Major James L. Neffus, Lt. Col. Herbert H. Williamson, 1st Lt. Lincoln F. Deetz (Gold Star). 1st Lt. Bennie P. O'Dell (Air Medal), 1st Lt. David A. Moak (Air Medal), Capt. Don Aldrich (Purple Heart), 1st Lt. Drury E. McCall (Air Medal), 1st Lt. Robert M. Hanson (Air Medal), 1st Lt. Thomas M. Tomlinson (Air Medal), 1st Lt. Otto K. Williams (Air Medal), and 1st Lt. Grafton S. Stridger (Purple Heart). Defense Dept. Photo (Marine Corps). Rwm 68310."