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505th Command and Control Wing News

Son: Recognition for Women Airforce Service Pilots is overdue

  • Published
  • By Noel Getlin
  • 505th Command and Control Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD --  On March 10, after six decades, Congress awarded the first female U.S. military pilots the highest honor Congress can bestow on civilians; a Congressional Gold Medal in honor for their service during World War II.

"It's way overdue," said Hurlburt Field employee Rich Williams, adding that the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) are only now getting the recognition they deserve. "Like the women of that time, they didn't talk about things, they just did it."

Mr. Williams' mother, Lesley Stroud Williams, was one of the 1,078 WASP who served their country during the war. She ferried numerous types of aircraft to and from airfields and factories for more than a year in the program.

Mr. Williams closely followed the stories about the WASP medal since it was introduced as a bill last year. He wishes his mother had lived to attend the ceremony in Washington, D.C. She died in 1997.

The WASP had to overcome incredible challenges from the beginning, including proving they could fly military aircraft. They were begrudgingly allowed to serve in order to free male pilots for combat, but they had to have a flying certificate before they were accepted into training and then they had to pay their way.

During the war, they flew bombers, fighters, trainers and transport aircraft, and they ferried aircraft, towed targets, flew experimental aircraft, performed testing and training, and even served as flight instructors. Despite the noncombat missions, 38 WASP died in the line of duty.

When male pilots returned from the war, the organization was unceremoniously disbanded and the women had to pay their own way home. Like many other WASP, Mrs. Williams settled into life as a housewife and mother. She never flew again.

Few Americans were familiar with the WASP program because all records of the organization were sealed for three decades after the war.

During the 1970s, a campaign was fought and won to grant WASP veteran status. However, their status came with restrictions and they received it and their war medals unceremoniously in the mail. But perhaps more importantly, for the first time they received the recognition for their service to their country.

Mr. Williams eagerly awaits the arrival of the promised bronze replica of the medal to be given to families of WASP who have passed away. He hopes to have a Congressman present it to his father who lives in an assisted-living facility north of Gainesville.

"He would be very proud and honored to accept it for mom," said Mr. Williams. However, he said his mother wouldn't have made a big deal out of it.

"My father, a veteran pilot of World War II, Korea and Vietnam, would brag on her before she would ever say anything herself," he said. "It was just something she did because it was the right thing to do."