Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND003 - SHSND Foundation - Aviation Hall of Fame
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 00014
Title: Palmer "PT" Foss
Date: 2002
Creator:
Inscription/Marks:
Summary: Palmer “PT” Foss grew up on a farm near Devils Lake. He first joined the Army as a paratrooper in 1942. He began a life dedicated to aviation after he received his commission and wings following his transfer and training to the Air Corp in 1943. He was assigned to 449th Fighter Squadron of the 14th Air Force in the Burma/India Theater. His was shot down on his fortieth mission parachuting into the hills of what is now North Vietnam. He was held captive for sixty days and released when news of the Japanese surrender arrived. In early 1946, he was rotated home and discharged as a highly decorated First Lieutenant. PT returned to the farm near Devils Lake. He purchased his first Super Cub in 1948 and primarily flew for pleasure and flight instruction. In 1950 he started an aerial application operation based at his farm and continued the dual operation for the next 12 years. In 1961, PT and Bob Meier began a twenty-five year partnership by forming Foss & Meier Inc. Initially an aerial application service, Palmer left the farm in 1963 and moved into Devils Lake and, along with Bob, devoted himself to the business which expanded into a full service FBO. The Civil Air Patrol was one of “PT’s” favorite aviation activities outside of his livelihood. Palmer was instrumental in the formation of the Devils Lake Airport Authority and served on the Board for eleven years. His leadership, insight and broad knowledge of the industry and his interest in effective airport operations were instrumental in molding the Devils Lake Municipal Airport into an outstanding regional airport facility. In addition to being an active member of the NDAA and the NDAAA, Palmer, with a career spanning forty years, quietly and effectively developed civic support of aviation by presenting a positive image of the industry and its importance to the community. Palmer died in 1987 and left a mark in the aviation community that lives on.
Red ID: FND_I_77363 Image ID: 509184 Image Notes: 10950 00003 00014

Collection: FND003 Digitized Images from Collection
Title: SHSND Foundation - Aviation Hall of Fame
Date:

Summary: The North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame honors those in North Dakota aviation who brought exceptional recognition to themselves during their aviation careers. A 12-member committee of the North Dakota Aviation Council judges the merits of nominees based on: - Major achievements in aviation in North Dakota - - Significant contributions to the development of others in aviation in North Dakota - - Special service to the State of North Dakota in aviation activities - - Activities that bring credit to North Dakota aviation either nationally or internationally - - Significant contributions to the local community or the state of North Dakota that are not related to aviation (service clubs, church related, political action, etc.) -

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