Wednesday, June 21, 1944, shortly after the D-Day invasion of Europe. the WASP program. Japanese Emperor Hirohito refused to accept the terms of unconditional surrender determined by the Potsdam Conference. Under her command, 150,000 women served in Army jobs both stateside and abroad. The WAFS and WFTD were intended to free male pilots for combat operations overseas by having women pilot domestic operations. Twenty-nine Women Airforce Service Pilots attended the opening ceremonies and left their hand prints in cement. operating under the assumption: What is the WASP At 6:30 a.m., British and Canadian troops landed on the shores of Normandy beaches. training was really that tough, why did these women sign up to be WASP in the first place? pilots exerted intense lobbying pressure on their Congressmen to defeat HB 4219 and The resulting controversy was The act required all men between the ages of 21 and 35 (later extended to age 37) to register with a local draft board. Upon being elected as President of the WASP organization in 1975, Haydu introduced a bill to the Senate to grant WASP retroactive veteran status. Betty Haas Pfister, Class 43-5from WASP: In their Own Words by Nancy Parrish. Along with their diplomas, Women Airforce Service Pilots were handed orders to report to one of 120 Army air bases or air fields across the U.S. Their missions included towing targets, ferrying planes, training bombardiers, tracking radar, providing instrument training to cadets, flying pursuits, testing engineering repairs, and multiple other assignments. issue of the Gossport Gazette! The WASP exceeded all expectationstheir record was better than the male cadets. ", "Glamour, hell, it was hard work!" On March 10, 2010, 66 years after the organization was disbanded, the WASP received the Congressional Gold Medal for their service, record, and revolutionary reform in the Armed Force during WWII. the plane--something Jackie wasn't used to. Combat pilot losses continued to rise, which increased the already severe shortage of male pilots. Friends and family wondered, Adaline Alma Blank, WASP Class 43-8, Avenger Field Sweetwater, TX, Adaline Alma Blank, WASP Class 43-8, Avenger Field, Sweetwater, TX, All content Bullock Texas State History Museum . to ferry light trainers and utillity aircraft. They changed the face of military history. Not an easy question to than some of the instructors. The hurricane is coming. All of the men want to stay home. Our scientists are involved in current research focused on the Martian climate and geology. She later founded the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots), a group of civilian women who flew military aircraft in non-combat situations during World War II. Over 200 Women Airforce Service Pilots attended the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Members of all military branches escorted the WASP, many of whom wore their World War II uniforms. Each man was assigned a draft number that was entered into a lottery. Famed aviator Jacqueline Cochran was named Director of Women Pilots. Then there was the WFTD--which is what the trainees in Houston were a part The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) was established during World War II, on August 5, 1943. What's the difference between a WAF and a WASP? Do you?"" This was a people's war and everyone was in it." So why did this particular group of women sign up to fly for the U.S. Army Air Forces (AAF) in World War II? Male instructors at Avenger Field wondered publicly if the women could really fly these military planes, and male pilots worried privately that they could. AAF Commander General Hap Arnold and Cochran agreed that this consolidated corps needed a new name. Why didn't we? Add their name to the Museums Wall of Honor. instructors and 5,000 civilian trainees in the Civil Aeronautics Administration's War general, releasing a two-page report that recommended passage of the bill to commission The chairman of the Civil Service Committee, Robert J. Her article from the Fifinella Gazette (reprinted from 1943) is in the first ", AAF Commander General Hap Arnold sent a message to General Barton Yount, AAF Commander General of the Flying Training Command saying: "The Air Forces' objective is to provide at the earliest possible date a sufficient number of women pilots to replace men in every non-combatant flying duty in which it is feasible to employ women.". I also believe she and General Arnold were The first 28 WAFs were hired as civillian ferry pilots -- and worked under Nancy Harkness non-combat job for so long and then insisted on dodging more hazardous duty. Add to that, their male-sizes-only zoot suit uniforms didnt fit, the weather was hot and dusty or cold and snowy, the bays (barracks) were crowded, the latrines were spartan, and sometimes meat loaf, grits, and squash just wasnt a dream dinner. The Canadian male pilots were transferred to other bases. their male counterparts. Dont miss our fast-paced webcasts designed to engage students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math in 30 minutes. A second training facility was approved at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas.

By December 1944, the WASP had flown every type of military aircraft manufactured for WWII. against those who had done so. Piloting Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bombers and towing targets for live ammunition artillery practice were not standard issue duties for the 1940s American woman. The WASP flew a total of 60 million miles performing a variety of missions. Ramspeck disagreed that such salaries were necessary; She traveled to England to meet with the women pilots of the British transport command to determine if American female flyers were needed to help the war effort in a besieged Britain. Although these women flew military aircraft, they were considered civilians, and were not granted military benefits or burials. He leaving 756 trainees who were washed out for one reason or another (or were killed in Some of them even fell in love a little with their planes. mystery was solved!". WASP were even ordered to begin officer training. employees), ostensibly to find out how public funds were being spent on a program about No WASP were allowed to fly planes outside the continental United remembers one of her favorite books at the time was called "Wind, Sand and 2014 to award the Women Airforce Service Pilots the Congressional Gold Medal. "How do I feel about being a WASP? Editorial writers for the WASHING POST, WASHINGTON This just in by email from Dot: "I called Mary this President Obama authorized the WASP Congressional Gold Medal. (B-26 school, B-17, etc.). When she said yes, the Although the NEW YORK TIMES, NEW YORK HERALD TRIBUNE, and BOSTON The Air Forces accepted as many of these men as possible, but many were unable Yvonne Pateman, WASP Class 43-5, recalls life and training as a WASP at Avenger Field. Not one of us knew exactly why, but every one of There was also the problem of finding sufficient highly capable young men to satisfy the demands of the Navy, the Ground Forces, the Service Forces, and the Merchant Marine. I said, "Yes, sir. Arnold suggested "Women Airforce Service Pilots." Was it possible that a woman could actually fly a plane as well as a man?

congressional decisions. States. If By the end of the day, approximately 156,000 Allied troops had invaded, with more than 4,000 losses. As a consequence, there was a cutback in various flight schools--thus removing them from the draft-deferred status many held as white scarf flying in the wind, breeze in your face" was just that--a myth. OK. You believe that, regarded as participants in a frivolous program that had wasted millions of tax dollars. a minority opinion stated that the War Department, not Congress, should decide what was Of that 1,830, there were 1,074 women who earned their wings, of--the Women's Flying Training Detachment--Jackie Cochran's pilots that had been trained 1944 official War Department training film for the infamous B-26 Bomber. (documented in Jackie's report to the Congress--Final Report.). She trained in Canadapassed all her check ridesand was asked to CO-PILOT Though small in size, it encapsulates the magnitude of the valor and courage of a truly unique group of women. But perhaps the most difficult challenge was one the Women Airforce Service Pilots discovered they most cared about when they arrived at Avenger Field. In 1942, less than a year into WWII, U.S. Army Air Forces General, Henry H. Hap Arnold, requested approval of two programs: The Women Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) and the Womens Flying Training Detachment (WFTD). several with fewer hours chose to take flight tests). The long-known and the long-expected has thus taken place. We anticipated than that global war would require all our qualified men and many of our women. on the stars" is credited to Editor Gene Slack . Again the War department assured Congress that the men After the program was disbanded at the end of 1944, WASP records were sealed, classified, and stored in the government archives for 33 years. By twofold, I mean we have flown scores of millions of miles in relieving the pilot shortage and we have proved that women can be trained as pilots easily and used in many ways in the air effectively. I asked her to draw a plan for the training and use of American women pilots. The women hired for the ferry command all had to have a However, Dot 'fishy'? WASP was "wasted money and wasted effort. Half of the women pilots of Class 43-4 reported to Avenger Field to begin training on February 14th. What the WASP have done is without precedent in the history of the world.". The Fort and the 37 additional WASP who gave their lives in service did not have flags draped over their caskets. GLOBE favored militarization of the WASP, writers in other papers throughout the country hospitalization, burial benefits, and veteran status) was introduced on February 17, Military pilots held highly-respected positions, and morning and asked if she also knew that book then.

Then I wrote fifty letters to every aviation company and airline that you could think of, trying to get a flying job. highly-qualified, trained, and better-motivated WASPs over the male civilian pilots. How do Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) help tell Texas's story? The Allies declared Victory in Europe (VE) Day after Germany's unconditional surrender on May 7th. For a more complete answer, check out Jacqueline Cochran's Final Report. Yvonne Pateman, WASP Class 43-5, narrates this video about the Women Airforce Service Pilots and Avenger Field. From 1943 to 1944, 38 WASP died in service to their country. In 1953 she became the first woman to break the sound barrier. 25,000 who applied. Turner Publishing Company, Why? Seventy-five years ago, on August 5, 1943, a remarkable group of women stepped into roles that would earn them the Congressional Gold Medal. As more women entered flight training, it became clear that the facilities at the Houston Municipal Airport were no longer adequate. President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared war on Japan and America officially entered World War II. Friends and family wondered,Why on earth is she leaving her familyher freedoma good joba teaching careerthe Rockettescollege? he wanted no erosion of the hard-won recognition. In one of their non-flying assignments, several Women Airforce Service Pilots participated in high altitude testing to determine how oxygen affected women pilots. instead pass legislation favorable to their employment. Lottery number drawings determined who would be "called up" to military service for twelve months. Women Airforce Service Pilotsquotes source:http://www.wingsacrossamerica.org/. Bernice Haydu, who graduated basic training on March 10, 1944, donated her Santiago Blue uniform coat to the Museum in 1969. reservists. change the committee's recommendation that the training program be discontinued, although One of the highest honors given to civilians, this Congressional Gold Medal presented to the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) represents the contributions of female pilots during World War II. But lobbying efforts of the men grew stronger, even bitter. In 1942, a womens flying training detachment program was created and approved. If expelled, action was swift. Women Airforce Service Pilots continued to take on more military pilot duties including target and glider towing, radar calibration, bombing range runs, and instrument instruction. Despite World War I being named "the war to end all wars," World War II was about to begin. Emperor Hirohito delivered a radio broadcast telling the country that Japan had accepted the surrender terms of the Potsdam Conference. "can't fly the army way!" In order to apply, a woman required a civilian pilots license. "We must have legislation to make the WASP a part of the Army. Now, let's get to the complicated answer. The aircraft spiraled into a dive, and at 24-years-old, Fort became the first female pilot in American history to die on active duty. Rose Alice Palmer, Class 44-6 from WASP: In their Own Words by Nancy Parrish. "As I landed, taxied to the ramp, and shut down the engine, the finality of it all struck me with a deep and profound feeling of sweet sadness. The Women Airforce Service Pilots faced some unexpected challenges and resistance when they signed up. Charlyne Creger, Class 44-10from WASP: In their Own Words by Nancy Parrish, 1800 Congress Ave.Austin, TX 78701Mailing Address: PO Box 12874Austin, TX 78711-2874 Map it, IMAX Information: (512) 936 - 4629 Tickets: Email Us, AAF Commanding General Henry "Hap" Arnold, 1944, Adaline Alma Blank, WASP Class 43-8, Avenger Field, Sweetwater, TX. A roll call vote was that the WASPs should not be victimized by pitting them against the men. A new radar evasion program was developed but there were no test pilots. NO. well-trained, qualified women pilots not be utilized. On December 7, 1944, General Hap Arnold answers this question quite simply in his speech to the last graduating class of WASP: "The possibility of using women to pilot military aircraft was first considered in the summer of 1941. based on the 1943 military budget section that provided for such "salaries and wages ", Most damaging of all was the committee's accusation At the present time, they are not entitled to benefits which should go to them in accordance with the duties they are performing." In great debt to the WASP, the medal presents an opportunity to inspire future generations, and to have more women with wings in the United States Armed Forces. All WASP military records were sealed, classified, and sent to storage archives for 30 years. who could not pass qualifying tests. the program. 60 to 80,000 people were killed immediately from the bomb's force-- the equivalent of 22,000 tons of dynamite. That seeming contradiction had long been an irritant for WASP.