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ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
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WASP were the FIRST women in America's history to
fly American military aircraft |
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WASP voluntarily put their lives 'on the line' in
an experimental program to prove that women could successfully fly
military aircraft |
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In less than 2 years, WASP flew 60 million miles in
every type aircraft in the Army Air Force arsenal--from the fastest
fighters to the heaviest bombers |
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WASP flew every type mission any Army Air Force
male pilot flew during World War II, except combat. |
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WASP were stationed at 120 Army Air Bases across
America. |
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WASP were used as examples to fly B-26s and B-29s
to prove to male pilots they were safe to fly. |
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WASP freed male pilots for combat |
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WASP are role models for today's female pilots and
astronauts |
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They forever changed the role of women in aviation |
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LITTLE KNOWN FACTS:
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25,000 applied, 1,830 were accepted
into training and only 1,074 earned their silver wings and, together with
28 WAFS, became WASP.
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They paid their own way to go into
training and, when disbanded, they paid their own way back home.
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38 WASP and trainees were killed flying
for their Country. They received no recognition, no honors, no
benefits, no gold star in the window, and no American flag allowed to
cover their coffins.
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Classmates & friends took up collections to help
pay for burial. |
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WASP never received the military status they were
promised, even though many were sent to Officer's Training School. |
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WASP were unceremoniously deactivated in 1944
without benefits and little thanks. |
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After they were disbanded in 1944, their records
were sealed and marked 'classified' or 'secret' and stored in the archives
for over 30 years. |
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Historians had no access to the records and
accomplishments of the WASP...so, the WASP were left out of most official
histories of WWII. |
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They were denied Veteran's status for 35 years |
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Their medals and official notification of Veteran's
status came in the mail. |
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WASP can only be buried at Arlington National
Cemetery as 'enlisted', not with officer's honors. |
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In 1994, an airplane at Lackland AFB was dedicated
to the WASP and, in 1999, was repainted in the "Korean conflict' colors
and re-dedicated to a Korean war hero. |
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Despite General Hap Arnold's pledge that the Air
Force 'would never forget them'--it did, and so did America. |
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