Spencer L Marsch

Spencer Marsh was born in Glencoe, Minnesota in 1918. He was interested in aviation as a child, and Spence remembers in 1923 that C.A. Lindbergh, Sr. (who was running for Congress) visited Glencoe in a Curtis Jenny. Lindbergh's landing in Glencoe was a bit rough, and Lindbergh borrowed $300 from the local townspeople to rebuild his damaged aircraft. Spence joined a "cow pasture" aviation operation in 1938. He barnstormed and gave flight instructions. In 1941 Spence attained an instructors rating in acrobatics at Grand Forks, North Dakota. With the outbreak of WW II Spence was hired as an instructor/ supervisor at a military flight training school in Grand Forks. His organization trained over 1,000 pilots with no fatalities. Upon completion of this program, Spence was transferred to Vinata, Oklahoma as a glider tow pilot. In March of 1943 Spence joined Northwest Orient Airlines as a co-pilot. Among his early assignments with the airline were the testing of modified B-24 bombers, and studies regarding the deicing of wings and props. Spence made many trips to Canada, Alaska, and the Aleutians during this time, delivering cargo and war materials to these areas. Following the War, Spence returned to Northwest's domestic route structure. He was promoted to Captain in 1949. His first assignment included the Minnesota to Tokyo run via, Canada, Alaska, and the Aleutians. With the outbreak of War in Korea, Spence flew many "airlift" flights to South Korea. He was made an Instructor/ Check Airman in 1951, and by 1959 he was promoted to Engineering Test Pilot. He served as Northwest's Director of Flight Training between 1960 and 1968. He also served as Vice Chairman of the Air Transport Association Training Committee during this same time frame. From 1968 until his retirement in 1978 Spence returned his true passion - flying. He flew the 747 for the last seven years of his commercial career. Spence had many hours in many different types of aircraft flown by Northwest. One of his sentimental favorites is the double-decked Boeing Stratocruiser. In 1995 the U.S. Air Force determined that pilots, like Spencer Marsh, who served the Army Air Forces during WW 11, were eligible for Honorable Discharge, and all applicable medals were awarded dated July of 1945.

Artwork signed by this Pilot or Aircrew