WASP's (WWII women pilots)

R

rogerbum

New member
I was on a flight to Washington DC tonight and had the pleasure of sharing the plane with 4 women (and their families) who were headed to Washington to accept Congressional Gold Medals. The WASP are Women Airforce Service Pilots. These women flew for the military during WWII but were denied the status of veterans. In fact, when the program was disbanded prior to the end of WWII, the women had to pay their own way home! 38 female pilots lost their lives during WWII and when that happened their families had to pay for their burial and it was done without military honors. There are about 300 of these women alive today and to partially make up for the lack of acknowledgment they received earlier, they will be getting congressional medals of honor in DC. The 4 on my flight were sharp as pistols and their families were quite proud to be coming to DC to watch the ceremonies. Here's a link to a news story about the celebration.
 
This is long over due. These women deserve our country's honor. What a shame to have been treated like they were. Don't know that an MOH now makes up for that to all of them but it sure is a step in the right direction for those who are still here.

SALUTE to the WASP's

Harvey
SleepyC
 
The WASP's have long been among my heroes. It is too bad that it took this long for them to be recognized. Along those lines, I heard a radio broadcast a day or two ago celebrating another milestone: a commercial airline flight here in the states left the ground with a crew made up entirely of women and...every one of those women was African American.
 
I'm very glad to see this recognition of the women pilots. Long overdue!

It also makes you stop and think of just how many other injustices were and are being committed back then and now. Some are so insidious that we usually don't even think twice about them in our daily lives.

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
One thing - Although Tyboo caught my error in the above posting and sent me a PM AND I edited it once, I didn't edit it fully. The women are receiving the Congressional Gold Medal (a civilian award) and not the Congression Medal of Honor (a military award). I only corrected half of my original post.
 
Belay my last, the article interested me and I researched a little further. President Carter gave them veteran's status. Quite the story of these folks.
 
It's awesome that they are finally getting the recognition and respect they deserve from the Federal Gov't and the public. (As ALL veterens deserve). I hope there will be some press coverage.
 
colobear":1j7ir60p said:
The WASP's have long been among my heroes. It is too bad that it took this long for them to be recognized. Along those lines, I heard a radio broadcast a day or two ago celebrating another milestone: a commercial airline flight here in the states left the ground with a crew made up entirely of women and...every one of those women was African American.
Click to expand...

A few years ago the Seattle VA Hospital put up pictures of African American women in uniform during WWII. The Museum of Flight used to have a display honoring the Tuskegee Airmen. Both of these were quite inspiring.
 
Did not see this on the news last night?
Hope to see it on the news tonight.
We will see.

This is awesome but at the same time so sad that these ladies have went so long. Here Here to the WASP!! :beer :beer
 
A couple years ago I read a book about these pilots. Wished I could remember the name and author. Was somewhat about their part in getting the planes from here in the US to Russia over the frozen north. With the planes just fresh from the factory and at that time with the remoteness, weather and navigational aids it was a very dangerous job and some very good pilots making the process work.
 
Just saw the PDN (Peninsula Daily News) paper, covers the Olympic peninsula, Port Angeles, Sequim, Port Townsend plus, and saw that there is a Sequim woman that went to DC for the award ceremony.

Also noticed that it is not the Medal of Honor, but the Congressional Gold Medal, (highest civilian award), and that the real one is going to the Smithsonian, and the recipients get a Bronze duplicate.

Here is the link to the article.

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/apps/ ... 0303119993

Great women, SALUTE

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Back
Top