Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War11
by Women aviators "WASP"of World War 11 were not considered military, although 38 were killed. They were not entitled to pay and benefits given to men. They had no flag drapped coffins. When their service ended they paid their own way home. Last Wednesday these women finally got their recognition. They received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor given by Congress.
The women aviators of WW11 waited a long time to get their recognition, but overdue as it was it came last Wednesday. They received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor given by Congress, in a ceremony on Capital Hill.
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Females in WW11 served as Women Airforce Service Pilots, or WASPs. They flew planes but were not considered real military pilots. When they were killed no flags were draped over their coffins, and when their service ended they paid their own way home. They were considered citizens, not members of the military and were not entitled to pay and benefits the men were. 38 were killed during the war. The women aviators were only given veteran status in 1977 after a long hard fight.
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It’s thought that about 300 of the more than 1000 WASPs are still alive. About 200 came to Capitol Hill to receive the award. Some came on Walkers, others in wheel chairs. The women are in their 80s and 90s. Nancy Polosi said, “Women Airforce Service Pilots, we are all your daughters: you taught us how to fly.” She said that the pilots went unrecognized far too long, even though their service blazed a trail for other women in the U.S. military.
Image via Wikipedia
Accepting the award, WASP pilot Deanie Parrish, 88, of Waco, Texas, said the women volunteered without expectation of thanks. Their mission was to fly noncombatant missions to free male pilots to fly overseas. ” We did it because our country needed us” said Parrish. WASP Ty Hughes Killen, 85, of Lancaster, California put it simply, ” We’re a bunch of tough old ladies.
The women acknowledged it might be the last time so many of them would come together. Killen said it was the “gals who are watching upstairs” she’s been thinking about. ” I don’t care about the publicity but what I really do care about is the 900 or more already dead who have not had the recognition that I feel they should have for their families.”
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The Congressional Gold Medal was awarded in 2000 to the Navajo Code Talkers and in 2006 to the Tuskegee Airmen.
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Post Commentken bultman
On March 12, 2010 at 7:41 am
This long overlooked travesty was finally rectified.
Temjen Imchen
On March 12, 2010 at 7:49 am
So sad but better late than never.
Christine Ramsay
On March 12, 2010 at 7:50 am
That was certainly long overdue. i am so glad there were still some living to receive the awards. A very good article.
Christine
Starpisces
On March 12, 2010 at 9:25 am
wow, cool women pilots…
wonder
On March 12, 2010 at 9:41 am
How wonderful it sounds, but the recognition should have been given earlier, no one bothers.
fishfry aka Elizabeth Figueroa
On March 12, 2010 at 10:02 am
It is a slow battle, but over time women are being reconized for their hard work, usually thou a little too late.
Great article as usual
Niti sharma
On March 12, 2010 at 10:12 am
Wonderful article
walizz
On March 12, 2010 at 10:25 am
i always admire women pilot!
MartineP
On March 12, 2010 at 10:31 am
Great article. The fight for women’s rights or better said: women’s equality should go on. Today women surely proof they can fly. The first time I stepped into an airplane, I had a female captain and it made me feel great.
martie
On March 12, 2010 at 1:28 pm
It is too bad the medal was a civilain medal and not a military one.
sambhafusia
On March 12, 2010 at 1:32 pm
nice share
Mark Gordon Brown
On March 12, 2010 at 1:49 pm
I am glad they were finially recognized.
PR Mace
On March 12, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Finally these fine women were recognized for their service to our country. What is a shame is how long it took. Ruby, this a a fine article. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.
bailieman
On March 12, 2010 at 4:51 pm
It is good that they gave these women the recognition they definitely deserved.
LOVELYHONEY
On March 12, 2010 at 6:35 pm
YOU ARE BY FAR THE BEST
SO ITS WITHOUT
NOT WITHIN MY PROVINCE
TO COMMENT ON UR WORKS
THOUGH I READ MOST OF THEM
UR INSPIRING TOO
RGDS LHLHLH
Abby Rose
On March 12, 2010 at 7:30 pm
Amazing article as always Ruby. I do agree that it is way over due for these women to be recognized. I have many friends, male and female, in the military and I have so much respect for them.
Melody SJAL
On March 13, 2010 at 1:13 am
Such women of valor and courage. Nice share.
standingproud
On March 13, 2010 at 2:48 am
Woman standing tall and proud..
awesome article
Inna Tysoe
On March 13, 2010 at 5:36 am
Good one.
J J Neuman
On March 13, 2010 at 9:55 am
I heard about this in a radio news flash the other day but didn’t know much about them….I am very glad for all of them and we owe them thanks for the job they did and their bravery…sadly, they should have been recognized long before 2010.
papaleng
On March 13, 2010 at 10:59 am
Why did it took so long to honor these fine women pilots. Great share, Ruby.
Snooky
On March 13, 2010 at 5:51 pm
Hip Hip Hooray !
Shirley Shuler
On March 13, 2010 at 6:08 pm
It’s been a long time coming, Ruby. Great article.
Guy Hogan
On March 14, 2010 at 3:38 pm
I saw a special about this on public television. The recognition of what these women did is long over due?