WWII Pilot, Aviation Advocate

Harlan L. Jost, 85, whose aviation career spanned 63 years, died March 30, 2004, from a continuing heart condition.

A retired US Air Force colonel, Jost was a maintenance officer in North Africa and Italy during World War II. He remained in the USAF Reserve and returned to duty during the Korean War. The Iowa native retired from the Reserve in 1972 after 31 years of service. Jost joined American Airlines after receiving a BA in economics from Grinnell College. He enlisted in the USAF in 1941.

After WWII, he rejoined American Airlines in Southern California as a manager of cargo service, air mail, express and freight. He later was regional director for Air Cargo, Inc., a firm owned by domestic airlines to handle their airfreight details.

Jost's strong aviation interests continued with his extracurricular activities. He was active in the Air Force Association, Reserve Officers Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion.

However, Jost's special attention was to the Aero Club of Southern California (now the Southern California Aeronautic Association), which he first joined more than 20 years ago. He was a motivator in rejuvenating the organization, figuring prominently in both the Aero Club's acquisition and eventual sale of the Hughes Flying Boat. Jost was the perennial Aero Club treasurer -- reorganizing the Club's financial records, a job he retired from in 2001. Jost was often called "Mr. Everything" by his fellow association members. At the time of his death, he was the longest serving member of the organization's Board of Directors. He was responsible for display of the Howard Hughes Memorial Award (HHMA) trophy. The HHMA was first awarded to Jack Northrop in 1978 and to Neil Armstrong for 2003 -- with a quarter century of aeronautics "movers and shakers" in between.

Jost was active not only in the ACSC, but in the Washington-based National Aviation Association (NAA) and the Paris-based Federation Aeronautique International (FAI) as well. He was awarded FAI's coveted Paul Tissandier Diploma for "service to aeronautics and airports" in Rio de Janeiro in 1997. Jost led U.S. NAA delegations to FAI General Conferences in locations around the world.

Jost is survived by his wife, Jean, four grown children and four grandchildren -- all of whom were with him at the time of his death.

Visitation and viewing for Jost will be Thursday, April 8, 3-5 pm, at McCormick Mortuary, 1998 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach. A military memorial service will be held Friday, April 9, 11:45 am at Riverside National Cemetery, across from March Reserve Base. A gathering of friends will be held at the March Field Air Museum, across the 215 Freeway from March AFB following the Riverside Cemetery military services.

Harlan Jost, distinguished veteran and aviation advocate, has gone west. Happy landings, Harlan.

FMI: www.marchfield.org/mfm.htm