Ginger, on WASP

WASP Cadets

If you were around for my post last week you already know that I read a book set during WWII but instead of being about 'all war all the time' it was a story about our home front. Written by Sherri Smith, the title is Flygirl - you can read my review of it here. The focus is on the life of a very brave young woman, Ida Mae Jones, who becomes a WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots). I honestly didn't know anything about the WASP Program, or that they even existed, and I find that I'm disappointed in myself because of it. And our public education system - WWII wasn't that long ago in terms of history! How is it that these women are never mentioned?! They're like the fore-mothers of equal rights!! Sorry, let me get off my soapbox. Needless to say I was intrigued, so I looked them up myself. They have some really neat sites, but I found Wings Across America (aka Wasp On The Web) to be the most informative. You should check it out if you get the chance.

Vultee BT-13B "Valiant" Basic Trainer *

As far as research, what I found about the WASP Program was fascinating - for the US Army to (grudgingly) found even a small group of female pilots amazes me. This was a time when women were expected to settle down and be homemakers and doting wives/mothers - while working women weren't unheard of, after a certain age (and especially after marriage) it was frowned upon for a women to work outside of the house. The idea that women could be factory workers and pilots - with government consent no less - in 1940s America is astounding. But even as revolutionary as that situation sounds, the reality was still very archaic: These women had to pay their own way to training, which could be several states away - male trainees travel expenses were paid for them. The 756 women who didn't make the final cut in the program paid their own way home - male cadets who 'washed out' of pilot training would be resigned other military duties. Room and board for male cadets was included with training while WASP trainees were either charged for it though the academy or had to provide their own - often at exorbitant amounts. Male cadets were provided a $10,000 insurance policy upon enlisting - WASP received nothing and often had their personal policies canceled by their insurance company as well. All the trainees at each location paid into an emergency fund they shared. Uniforms were also included with male cadet training - the WASP paid over $100 each for theirs. The only section women exceed their male counterparts was monthly pay: $75 for a male cadets and $150 for WASP trainees - which sounds like a big difference, but most of these women left behind families, sometimes even children, that they had to help support so most of the money was sent home. The icing on the cake? Death benefits for male cadets was automatic and included an escort home, a military funeral and their family was authorized to display a Gold Star, which states you had a family member die in combat. WASP received only $200 towards expenses and a plain pine box. The woman's family and friends had to pay to have the remains shipped home and then had to pay the remaining funeral expenses themselves. The family was not entitled to use a flag on the coffin or display an Gold Star. (Fact: 38 women died while serving their country. See a list of names and pictures here.)

B-29 "Superfortress" *

During the 3 years the WASP Program ran, these young women proved themselves hundreds of times over. After receiving their official military orders, these women reported to bases all over America. They performed every type of mission the military had, excluding combat. (One such duty was 'Target Towing': the WASP would fly trainers that had targets attached to the tail like a flag, so the military boys could practice shooting moving planes. With live ammunition.) They flew every type of plane the military owned - trainers, fighters, bombers, you name it - and even some planes male pilots refused to fly. (Translation: were scared to fly.) On December 7, 1944 (3 years after Pearl Harbor), the last class of WASP graduated and were celebrated with a dress parade. General Arnold, the commanding general of the US Air Force, gave a wonderful speech about how valued the WASP Program was and how the military would never forget their service. 11 days later, the WASP Program was disbanded, and the military did essentially forget these brave women - heck, so did America! These women, after giving three years of their lives to there country, packed their bags and paid their own way home. There was no GI benefits, no dress parades. These women, with dignity and grace, quietly went back to their former lives with only their personal satisfaction, knowing they competed their mission.

66 years later: On March 10th 2010, in the largest ceremony ever held inside the capitol, the WASP of WWII were awarded the Congressional Gold Metal, the highest civilian award Congress can bestow. America finally gave these women the 'Thank You' they deserved.

* Actual planes the WASP flew. A letter from an actual B-29 Pilot thanking a WASP for for showing him that the B-29 was "flyable" can be found here.