Thirty-eight women gave their lives in the course of duty to their country but because they were civilians, their families, and in some cases their fellow WASP, had to pay the funeral expenses.Īlthough originally told they would become part of the military, a move supported by some in the Air Transport Command and by General Arnold, the WASP instead were disbanded in December 1944, a casualty of rancor over assimilation, jobs, and gender roles. With the end of the war in sight, perceptions were that women were no longer needed or even wanted-military pilots (men) would return to reclaim flying jobs. Throughout the program, the women’s accident and fatality rates were the same as men. The first American-built jet aircraft, the XP-59, on display in our Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall. At the same time, working with the Army Air Corps Air Transport Command, experienced business pilot Nancy Love identified similarly qualified women as prospective ferry pilots. Cochran and Love had very different strategies but the same goal – to create a women’s air corps. This would be a prelude to such ferrying in the U.S. In 1941, racing pilot Jacqueline Cochran, who had the ear of General of the Army Air Corps, Henry “Hap” Arnold, selected a group of 24 women pilots to ferry military aircraft in Great Britain for its Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA). They separately petitioned the military to consider using women as ferry pilots.

With the approach of World War II, two experienced women pilots recognized the coming shortage of military pilots as the men would be sent off to fly in the war. “We had to deliver the goods,” Fort said, “or else there wouldn’t ever be another chance for women pilots in any part of the service.“ The WASP Origin Story These women ferried aircraft, cargo and personnel tested aircraft and towed targets throughout the 48 states, filling in gaps left by male pilots who had been sent to war.

The WASP flew 60 million miles in all types of military aircraft, including fighters and B-17 and B-29 bombers, and paved the way for today’s fully vested female military pilots.

Silver wings and santiago blue