Riddle, Mary, 1902-1981
Person
Biographical Note
Mary Riddle was the first Native American woman to earn pilot's license, and later her commercial license.
Mary Riddle, also known as Kus-da-cha or Kingfisher, was born on April 22, 1902 to Albert "Doc" Riddle. She was part of the Clatsop and Quinault tribes. She attended the Rankin Flying School and earned her pilot's license in 1930, flying her first solo flight on May 10, 1930. She also attended school to learn parachuting and by 1937, she was touring the United States and performing jumps from planes. Health problems caused her to cease parachuting. During World War II, she was not able to fly as a woman, but was hired as civilian aircraft inspector and aircraft maintenance advisor. Post-war, she flew for pleasure and worked as a receptionist.
She was a member of the Ninety-Nines and the Associated Women Pilots of Boeing Field. Mary Riddle died on October 25, 1981.
Mary Riddle, also known as Kus-da-cha or Kingfisher, was born on April 22, 1902 to Albert "Doc" Riddle. She was part of the Clatsop and Quinault tribes. She attended the Rankin Flying School and earned her pilot's license in 1930, flying her first solo flight on May 10, 1930. She also attended school to learn parachuting and by 1937, she was touring the United States and performing jumps from planes. Health problems caused her to cease parachuting. During World War II, she was not able to fly as a woman, but was hired as civilian aircraft inspector and aircraft maintenance advisor. Post-war, she flew for pleasure and worked as a receptionist.
She was a member of the Ninety-Nines and the Associated Women Pilots of Boeing Field. Mary Riddle died on October 25, 1981.
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Biographical Information Files - R
Sub-Group
Scope and Contents
Individuals whose names begin with R: Rae, William, Jr. [Wind tunnel engineer] "William Rae Jr., Who Turned His Love for Planes into Long Career," Seattle Times, May 29, 1993 Rahder, Karl F. [Analyst and journalist] "The RAF Bombing Campaign in Germany: Ethical and Strategic Dimensions," by Karl F. Rahder. Paper presented to the University of Chicago's Workshop on Military Affairs,...