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Archives at The Museum of Flight


Women Airforce Service Pilots (U.S.)

 Organization

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.html

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

Carol (Nicholson) Lewis Collection

 Collection
Identifier: 2009-05-07
Abstract Carol (Nicholson) Lewis (1923-1987) joined the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) in 1943 and was assigned to Moore Air Base (Texas), Class 44-W-7. The collection includes official documents, photographs, correspondence, clippings, and ephemera related to Lewis' 1943-1945 WASP service. A small amount of correspondence and ephemera concerning her marriage is also included in the collection.

Nordhoff and Dunnam Families Collection

 Collection
Identifier: 2018-08-13
Overview The Nordhoff and Dunnam Families Collection contains items relating to the World War I and II service of the Nordhoff and Dunnam families.

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