WASP Honored and Achieve Another First

	President Obama is flanked by WASPs (L)Bernice (Bee) Haydu, (Rear)Elaine Harmon, and (R)Lorraine Rodgers along with Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and several active duty pilots as he signs S. 614. White House photo.

The first women in history to fly America’s military aircraft will be the first military women recipients of the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award presented by the US Congress. Three of World War II’s Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP) joined President Obama and others at an Oval Office ceremony on July 1, as he signed into law S. 614, the bill awarding the medal to the WASP.

"The Women Airforce Service Pilots courageously answered their country’s call in a time of need while blazing a trail for the brave women who have given and continue to give so much in service to this nation since," said President Obama.  "Every American should be grateful for their service, and I am honored to sign this bill to finally give them some of the hard-earned recognition they deserve." Created by the US Mint, the medal design will be unique to the WASP.

No date has been set for the actual award ceremony, which will likely be held in the US Capitol Rotunda.

1,102 World War II women wore WASP wings and flew over 60 million miles in 60,000 hours across the country for the war effort. WASP tested and ferried new airplanes and other planes after new or repaired parts were installed. They towed targets for antiaircraft gunnery practice, flew searchlight-tracking missions, simulated bombings and even instructed male cadets. While 38 lost their lives in service to the nation, the WASP were not granted veteran status until 1977. It is believed that there are some 300 remaining WASP.

We hope you will visit the special WASP exhibit,”FlyGirls of World War II,” which is expected to be at the Women’s Memorial through the end of the year.

 

 

(July 2009)