Views of extreme destruction from an earthquake in Chile, on January 24, 1939, that killed 25 thousand and injured 40 thousand persons. Homeless people stand out side wreckage. Relief supplies that the U.S. Army Air Corps flew from Panama are seen. Since all Red Cross medical planes were already being used, U.S. President, Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered additional medical supplies to be transported on the U.S. Army Air Corps XB-15 bomber, a single prototype, operated by the 2nd Bombardment Group at Langley Field, Virginia. Views of pilot, Major Caleb V. Haynes, supervising the loading of supplies. With Major Haynes,at the controls, the XB-15 is seen taking off on its earthquake relief mission in February 1939. Later, it is seen landing back at Langley Field, Virginia, after completing its mission. (Note: For this exceptional flight, Major Haynes and his crew were awarded the MacKay Trophy, in 1939.)
15 feet vault feature of the Millrose Games in New York. Participants and spectators at the Millrose Games. Starting gun is fired and a race starts. The participants run on a race track. Another race is started and runners run on the tracks. Reverend Robert Richards uses a flexible pole and leaps over a bar and becomes the second man in history to top the 15 ft pole vault mark at the Millrose Games.
The first public showing of an X-15 rocket powered aircraft at the NAA (North American Aviation) facility in Los Angeles. A large crowd inspects the X-15. U.S. Vice President Richard Nixon reviews from a stand in the background.
Royal Marine Artillerymen load and fire a 15-inch ("Grandmother") howitzer, during the Battle of the somme, in World War 1. Shells weighting 1400 pounds each are lined up. A Marine next to a shell on which is written 'to Willie with compliments. ' Shells lifted up with the help of a crane. British Marines adjust and fire the 15 inch Howitzer. Explosions occur across barbed wires. Howitzer fired and smoke rises.
View from another ship of the United States Navy destroyer USS Preble (DLG-15) underway in the Pacific Ocean. Flags raised on the ship. Naval guns in view. Smoke rises up from the smokestack. The crew on the deck of the USS Preble. The ship takes a turn. (Note: USS Preble, DLG-15, which was the last ship to be hit by enemy gunfire in the Vietnam War, was re-designated as DDG-46 on July 1st 1975)
The USS Gamble, destroyer/mine layer, DD-123, DM-15 being prepared for scuttling off of Guam, in final days of World War 2. Her severely damaged hulk is seen tied up to a pier. An inspection party examines her. View from camera on the Gamble as she is towed out of Apra Harbor, Guam. View of tugboat ahead, pulling her. View from another boat, of the Gamble with a tug at her port side. Six men are seen riding on her superstructure. Camouflage paint and numerals "15" are still visible on her hull. The tug at her side pulls away. Continued views from nearby boat as the Gamble is towed seaward for scuttling. (Note:The USS Gamble was struck by two Japanese bombs off Iwo Jima on 18 February, 1945. After finally being assessed as damaged beyond repair, she was decommissioned, on June 1, 1945, and scuttled on July 16, 1945.)