August 9, 1920 - Chicago, Illinois
Rufus Riddlesbarger was grounded by Second Assistant Postmaster General Otto Praeger after he made a forced landing on a flight to Cleveland. Praeger credited him for making the effort to continue a flight when the airplane was having problems, but he also noted, "you failed to do the one important thing that would have removed all blame from yourself; namely, notifying the Cleveland field of the time, place, and cause of the forced landing when it occurred."
By not immediately contacting the Cleveland field, Riddlesbarger created an unforgivable delay in the transportation of the mail.
Supervisor Whitheck sent this telegram to airmail officials in Washington to describe why Riddlesbarger had recently received a reprimand.
- Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration
