Wiley Post

Wiley Hardeman Post (November 22, 1898 ? August 15, 1935) gained international fame as the first pilot to fly solo around the world. Also known for his work in high altitude flying, Post helped develop one of the first pressure suits. His plywood airplane, the Winnie Mae, and his pressure suit are displayed at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, USA. On August 15, 1935, Post and American humorist Will Rogers were killed when Post's plane crashed on takeoff from a lagoon near Point Barrow, in Alaska.

Memorials and awards

In 1936, the Smithsonian Institution acquired the Winnie Mae from Post's widow. Two monuments at the crash site commemorate the death of the two men and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Related Topics:
1936 - Smithsonian Institution - National Register of Historic Places

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Additionally, a small private airport in Oklahoma City is named after Post. The major airport is named after Will Rogers, so that both victims of the crash are honored by airports in Oklahoma City.

Related Topics:
Oklahoma City - Will Rogers

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Wiley Post received the Distinguished Flying Cross (1932), the Gold Medal of Belgium (1934), and the International Harmon Trophy (1934). He was enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1969. In 1979, the United States Postal Service honored him with two airmail stamps (C95 and C96).

Related Topics:
Distinguished Flying Cross - 1932 - Gold Medal of Belgium - International Harmon Trophy - National Aviation Hall of Fame - 1969 - 1979 - United States Postal Service - Airmail - Stamps

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