Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs)
The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs for short) were the first women to fly military aircraft in the US Air Force.
In 1942, the U.S. Airforce was facing a severe shortage of pilots for its aircraft. The leaders decided to take the chance and allow women to volunteer and fly military aircraft, even though public sentiment was largely against the idea. Women volunteering for WASPs were required to have their pilot licenses prior to volunteering, unlike male recruits, who were usually trained from scratch.
"WASPs from left: Frances Green, Margaret Kirchner, Ann Waldner and Blanche Osborn leave their B-17, called "Pistol Packin' Mama," during ferry training at Lockbourne Army Air Force base in Ohio. They're carrying their parachutes. " -Image and description from National Public Radio.
When the program first began, most people were seriously doubtful about women's ability to fly aircraft. They thought that women could not fly planes with the same skill that men could, especially in harsh weather conditions. The WASPs soon proved them wrong. Henry Arnold, Commander of the U.S. Armed Forces at the time, wasn't sure "whether a slip of a girl could fight the controls of a B-17 in heavy weather." Two years later, Arnold said "Now, in 1944, its on the record that women can fly as well as men."
Around 1,100 WASPS served during WWII, flying every type of military aircraft (including bombers) stateside. They "ferried planes from factories to bases and departure points, transported cargo, participated in simulation strafing and target missions, tested newly overhauled planes, and towed targets for target practice with ground and air gunners and live ammunition." Of the 1,100 women that served, 38 died. Because WASPs did not have full military status, the Army did not pay to send their remains home or for their funerals. Other WASPs would chip in to send their bodies back home and help their families pay for their funerals. The WASPs weren't granted full military status until 1977. On March 10, 2010, in a ceremony at the Capitol, the WASPs received the Congressional Gold Medal. Around 200 former pilots were in attendance.
The WASPs opened up the way for women to pilot military aircraft in the future. As the first women pilots in the U.S. Air Force, they proved to the government and to the whole U.S. that women could handle flying aircraft, even in tough weather situations. Their hard work, talent, and dedication paved the way for future female Air Force pilots. They were the key to opening a door that had remained shut for centuries.
An Interview from a former WASP, from History.Org