Will Rogers and Wiley Post perished in 1935 Alaska plane crash, remembered today
On August 15, 1935, humorist Will Rogers and aviator Wiley Post died when their aircraft crashed near Point Barrow in the Alaska Territory.
A century ago today, the world lost two prominent figures when their plane went down close to Point Barrow in the Alaska Territory. Will Rogers, famed for his humor, film work, and syndicated columns, was traveling with fellow Oklahoman Wiley Post, the pioneering pilot who had flown solo around the world in 1933. The crash was reported to Barrow by Native runners, and Staff Sgt. Stanley R. Morgan, a Utah native serving in the signal corps, quickly organized a launch to reach the wreckage.
Morgan later had a child born at Point Barrow, named Barrow Morgan. The incident dominated headlines at the time, reflecting the high public profile of both men. One outlet archives preserve contemporary accounts and later reflections on Rogers' visits to Utah and his lasting legacy.
Why it matters
The tragedy marked the loss of two iconic American figures and remains a notable event in aviation and cultural history.
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