Henry Burnet Post (June 15, 1885 – February 9, 1914) was a first lieutenant in the US Army and a pioneer aviator who was killed in a crash. He set the altitude record of 12,120 feet (3,690 m).

Henry Burnet Post
Born15 June 1885 (1885-06-15)
Died9 Feb 1914 (1914-02-10) (aged 28)
San Diego, California, U.S.
Place of burial
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchAviation Section, Signal Corps
Rank1st Lt.
Unit1st Aero Squadron

He was the son of Colonel Henry Albertson Van Zo Post and Caroline Burnet McLean. On January 25, 1907, he married Grace Woodman Phillips (1887–1971). After his death, she married Francis Cogswell in 1916.

He served in the 25th infantry, and the 1st Aero Squadron. He died in San Diego, California in an air crash. He was buried in Section 3 of Arlington National Cemetery, near other early aviators and also near a number of American astronauts. Henry Post Army Airfield, the airfield at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, is named for him.[1]

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References

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  1. ^ "Army flyer killed as machine breaks; Lieutenant Post Plunges to Death in San Diego Bay". New York Times. February 9, 1914. p. 1. Lieutenant Henry B. Post of the First Aero Corps, considered one of the most skillful United States Army aviators, plunged to his death in San Diego Bay today, when the right wing of his hydro-aeroplane crumpled. Lieut. Post died after establishing an American altitude record of 12,120 feet.