Women Airforce Service Pilots (U.S.)
Historical Note
The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) was a civilian pilots' organization founded in 1943 by Jacqueline Cochran. It was a merger of the Women's Flying Training Detachment (WFTD) and the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS), both started in 1942. It had no military standing.
The goal of the group was to free male pilots for combat roles. Members of WASP were trained as pilots and they tested aircraft, ferried aircraft, and trained other pilots. The WASP program was ended on December 20, 1944. While active, WASP members flew over 60 million miles; transported every type of military aircraft; towed targets for live anti-aircraft gun practice; simulated strafing missions and transported cargo.
In 1977, WASP members received recognition for their World War II service by being granted veteran status and in 2009, were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
Citation:
https://www.army.mil/women/history/pilots.htmlFound in 2 Collections and/or Records:
Fern B. Lenox Evans Pilot Collection
Jean (Taylor) Howard WASP Collection
The Jean (Taylor) Howard WASP Collection contains a black-and-white digital photographic print and a pilot's logbook related to the World War II military service of Jean (Taylor) Howard. The 5x7" print depicts Howard standing in front of an obscured front-facing Piper J-3. She is dressed as a civilian. There is no contextual information on the photograph.
Contact us with a research request
curator@museumofflight.org