1 During the early months of WWII, there was a critical shortage of male pilots. Jacqueline Cochran,...
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1 During the early months of During the early months of WWII, there was a critical WWII, there was a critical shortage of male pilots. shortage of male pilots. Jacqueline Cochran, America’s Jacqueline Cochran, America’s foremost woman pilot, foremost woman pilot, convinced General Hap Arnold, convinced General Hap Arnold, Chief of the Army Air Forces, Chief of the Army Air Forces, that she could recruit young that she could recruit young licensed female pilots and licensed female pilots and that they would be equally that they would be equally capable of flying military capable of flying military aircraft and could relieve aircraft and could relieve male pilots needed for combat. male pilots needed for combat. WASP WASP
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Transcript of 1 During the early months of WWII, there was a critical shortage of male pilots. Jacqueline Cochran,...
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During the early months of WWII, there was During the early months of WWII, there was a critical shortage of male pilots. Jacqueline a critical shortage of male pilots. Jacqueline Cochran, America’s foremost woman pilot, Cochran, America’s foremost woman pilot, convinced General Hap Arnold, Chief of the convinced General Hap Arnold, Chief of the
Army Air Forces, that she could recruit young Army Air Forces, that she could recruit young licensed female pilots and that they would be licensed female pilots and that they would be equally capable of flying military aircraft and equally capable of flying military aircraft and could relieve male pilots needed for combat. could relieve male pilots needed for combat.
General Arnold agreed, and in 1942 the General Arnold agreed, and in 1942 the Women Airforce Service Pilots were born.Women Airforce Service Pilots were born.
During the early months of WWII, there was During the early months of WWII, there was a critical shortage of male pilots. Jacqueline a critical shortage of male pilots. Jacqueline Cochran, America’s foremost woman pilot, Cochran, America’s foremost woman pilot, convinced General Hap Arnold, Chief of the convinced General Hap Arnold, Chief of the
Army Air Forces, that she could recruit young Army Air Forces, that she could recruit young licensed female pilots and that they would be licensed female pilots and that they would be equally capable of flying military aircraft and equally capable of flying military aircraft and could relieve male pilots needed for combat. could relieve male pilots needed for combat.
General Arnold agreed, and in 1942 the General Arnold agreed, and in 1942 the Women Airforce Service Pilots were born.Women Airforce Service Pilots were born.
WASPWASPWASPWASP
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25,000 women applied as volunteers for this 25,000 women applied as volunteers for this experimental flight programexperimental flight program
ONLY 1830 were accepted, and 1074 graduated ONLY 1830 were accepted, and 1074 graduated and received their silver wingsand received their silver wings
They joined because they loved to fly.They joined because they loved to fly.They joined because They joined because our countryour country needed them. needed them.
25,000 women applied as volunteers for this 25,000 women applied as volunteers for this experimental flight programexperimental flight program
ONLY 1830 were accepted, and 1074 graduated ONLY 1830 were accepted, and 1074 graduated and received their silver wingsand received their silver wings
They joined because they loved to fly.They joined because they loved to fly.They joined because They joined because our countryour country needed them. needed them.
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They became the WASP…
The first women in history to
fly America’s military aircraft!
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Performed every type of mission flown by male pilots Performed every type of mission flown by male pilots except combatexcept combat– Towing targets for gunners using live ammunitionTowing targets for gunners using live ammunition– Transporting aircraft, personnel, and cargoTransporting aircraft, personnel, and cargo– Flight testing repaired aircraftFlight testing repaired aircraft– Simulated night strafing and trackingSimulated night strafing and tracking– Instructing male cadetsInstructing male cadets
They were stationed at Army Air Bases all over America and flew over 60 million miles in every type of aircraft from the fastest fighters to the from the fastest fighters to the heaviest bombersheaviest bombers
They were stationed at Army Air Bases all over America and flew over 60 million miles in every type of aircraft from the fastest fighters to the from the fastest fighters to the heaviest bombersheaviest bombers
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38 WASP made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country
– Their bodies were shipped home in cheap pine boxes
– Their burials had to be paid for by their families and classmates who took up collections
– No benefits, no honors…not so much as an American flag allowed to drape their coffins
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• On December 20, 1944, when victory seemed certain, the WASP were quietly and unceremoniously disbanded, without any benefits, and honors, and few thank you’s.
• They had to pay their own way back home.
• Their military records were sealed, classified, and filed away.
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• These records were unavailable to the historians that wrote accounts of WWII and American history books.
• In 1977, 33 years after they were disbanded, Congress finally approved a bill to give them veteran status, but their history is still forgotten.
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Every WASP is now over 80
The chance to honor them and save their stories is disappearing every day
We MUST do this now…before it’s too late!
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“You have shown you can fly wingtip to wingtip with your brothers…we of the Army Air Force are proud of you. We will never forget our debt to you.”
They did – and so did America.
General Arnold, in a speech to the last graduating class, promised…General Arnold, in a speech to the last graduating class, promised…
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A chance for you to help keep General Arnold’s promise…
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To “adopt” a WASP and become To “adopt” a WASP and become National Partners with Wings National Partners with Wings Across America and National Across America and National
WASP Museum, Inc.WASP Museum, Inc.
Your 2004-2005 Joint National Project:
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A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity for the A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity for the Arnold Air Society and Silver WingsArnold Air Society and Silver Wings
The Leaders of Tomorrow The Leaders of Tomorrow
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity for the A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity for the Arnold Air Society and Silver WingsArnold Air Society and Silver Wings
The Leaders of Tomorrow The Leaders of Tomorrow
On behalf of the James Connally Squadron and On behalf of the James Connally Squadron and Chapter, General Arnold’s WASP, Wings Across Chapter, General Arnold’s WASP, Wings Across
America, and National WASP WWII Museum, Inc.America, and National WASP WWII Museum, Inc.
Please accept this challenge:Please accept this challenge:
Help keep General Arnold’s promise Help keep General Arnold’s promise
On behalf of the James Connally Squadron and On behalf of the James Connally Squadron and Chapter, General Arnold’s WASP, Wings Across Chapter, General Arnold’s WASP, Wings Across
America, and National WASP WWII Museum, Inc.America, and National WASP WWII Museum, Inc.
Please accept this challenge:Please accept this challenge:
Help keep General Arnold’s promise Help keep General Arnold’s promise
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It is Time for America to Remember
• It is time to honor the WASP
• You have the opportunity to preserve history!!!
