65 years later, women pilots honored
1942, days after the outbreak of World War II, Jacqueline Cochran, an accomplished pilot, argued that women, if given the same training, would be just as capable pilots as men. She won the argument. General Hap Arnold, the Commanding General of the Army Air Force, conceded and the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) was launched. 25,000 young women applied, 1,830 were accepted and 1,074 graduated after seven months of training. Before the program was closed in 1944, they flew more that 60 million miles in every type of aircraft including attack planes and heavy bombers.
Paid $250 a month, they received no benefits or honors because they were not considered part of the military. Thirty-eight WASPs lost their lives in service to the United States during World War II. Many times their fellow pilots had to take up collections to have their fallen pilots' bodies shipped back home for burial. Click here for photos and details of the fallen heros.
65 years after their service, the 300 surviving WASPs, all in their late 80s or older, are being honored with the Congressional Gold Medal. The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a measure awarding the women one of the national's highest civilian honors. The Senate passed a similar measure in May and President Obama is expected to sign it.
Thank you to the women pioneers who demonstrated with equal training and opportunity women can and will achieve new heights!
Comments
None Found