Warbird Information Exchange

Warren Avis died two days ago at the age of 92.

Avis was born in 1915 in Bay City, Mich., where his father was in the lumber business. He investigated auto dealerships for the state of Michigan and became a salesman for a drug company before joining the Army Air Forces.

He was a major during World War 2, serving both as a bomber pilot and an intelligence officer. When he landed in various locations around Europe, he had the urge to explore, but was initially stymied by the lack of local transportation. He solved the problem by stashing a motorcycle in the bomb bay of his plane.

Back home after the war, Avis bought an interest in a Ford dealership in Detroit, and often traveled by air. He realized that air travel would quickly become more popular than train travel, and decided to open car rental centers at airports. He figured thousands of airline passengers would need rides. The idea for the car-rental firm came from wanting to give "the customer an option I never had as a traveler." In 1946, when Avis opened his first Avis Airlines Rent-A-Car facilities in Florida and Michigan, competitors were in downtown garages.

Great story that I'd never known before. Thanks for sharing, and may he rest in peace.

Gary

He sold Avis around 40 years ago and lived happily ever after. Another of that great generation..

The articles I have read have been deficient in Avis wartime record.

Does anybody know what bomber he flew B-24, B-17, B-25? What unit did he distinguish himself with and rise to the rank of major? Intelligence unit?

The Michigan Avis location was at Willow Run, since at the time that was the passenger hub for the area. I'm not sure exactly where it was on the field.

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Phil K.
Yankee Air Museum
Systems Admin / Ramp Crew / Professional Photo Ruiner