Maurine Miller Orr was a WASP in class 44-W-4, but also had the distinction of being one of the very few female instructors at Avenger Field--who also completed Army Air Force flight training.

She was born in 1920 in Bloomington, Indiana on March 18, 1920. Her dad worked for the Kreske Company and her mom taught piano.

Althouh her mom insisted she take piano lessons, Maureen fell in love with theatre during high school, and spent many happy hours both onstage and off, enjoying her work "behind the scenes" most of all. She continued her work in theatre as a drama major at Northwestern University.

A young man at the gas station where she bought gas first told Maureen about the CPT program at Northwestern. All he could talk about was flying. He told her 'they're gonna take 5 girls!' and she went down and signed right up.

Once she began taking the lessons, she liked it so much that she didn't want to go home. She remained in the program, receiving her private license. She began working at a small airport, pumping gas, washing planes and working on engines: anything to help pay for more flying time. She worked every day, eventually, earning her commercial and instructor ratings.

She did have an opportunity to take her mom up for the first time--and, just about the time the plane had reached altitude, her mom said "Oh, that was very nice, now let's go home!"

Once the war started, the airport closed, and she traveled to Pal-Waukee to work as a civilian instructor for the Navy aviation cadets.

Maureen received several letters inviting her to apply for the WASP training program. However, a local Dr. told her she wouldn't be approved because of a heart murmer. So, Maureen packed up and moved to Avenger Field and applied to be a civilian instructor.

At the time, she was one of 3 women pilots hired by Aviation Enterprises--and became a primary instuctor (PT-17's). During her time as an instuctor, she had to wash several trainees out. "I felt terrible to have to washout anyone...and the girls didn't like me too well..."

Maureen was encouraged to become part of the training program by Mrs. Deaton and, even though Maureen told her she didn't think she would pass, Mrs. Deaton said, "I'll be sure you do." So, Maurine became a trainee in the 4th class of 1944, taking the military oath and graduating on May 23, 1944.

While at Avenger, she completed the training, which included the military marching and drill: "I guess I'm different...I lilked to (march). It was fun." Her least favorite ground school subject? "Morse Code. (it) never loved me."

Her WASP assignment was to Romulus Army Air Base in Romulus, Michigan. Romulus was the 553rd Base Unit with the 3rd FG/ATC. Because nothing scarry or extraordinary happened, Maurine remered a lesson she learned the hard way:

"We were going south--2 of us didn't have maps--the third girl said, just follow me. It started getting late--and they're getting more and more lost--and it was getting darker and darker. i kept radio contact and finally, the leader said, "I'll get you there, but I'm turning you off." The leader got them to their destination, but Maurine never left the ground again without her own map.

After the WASP were deactivated, a friend introduced Maureen to Jack Orr, a friend of her brother's who had served in the Navy on a mine sweeper. Although their courtship was short, it was the perfect match--and lasted over 59 years.

The Orr's eventually settled in Evanston, Ill and had 3 children: Sandy, Jeff and Terry. She was blessed with many grandchildren and great-grand-children, and, when she talked about them, her eyes lit up even more than they did when she talked about flying.

"I hope that my children and grandchildren will live their lives-- that they will care and do the right things--live life right."

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Submitted by Nancy Parrish from Wings Across America' interview with Maurine Orr, July 17, 2001

Maurine Miller Orr died on March 16, 2006, 2 days before her 87th birthday. She is survived by her loving and devoted family, including her husband of 59 years, Jack Orr. When asked what she was most proud of, Maurine just sparkled and pointed to Jack. "Him," she said.