WASP Timeline

By neyajakan

  • 1939

    Famed Pilot Jacqueline Cochran tells first lady Eleanor Roosevelt that women pilots could ferry military planes as British women were already doing to help in war effort
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    WASP Timeline

  • September 10, 1942

    US Army Air Forces start Women's Auxilary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) with 28 experience female pilots; others recruited for Women's Flying Training Detachment. (WFTD)

  • Aug 25 1943

    WAFS and WFTD merged into WASP. 25,000 women applied for the program. 1,830 were accepted. 1,074 were graduated. Flight training is the same as male cadets though women were considered civilians.

  • Mar 24, 1944

    Senate Bill introduced to militarize women pilots, send them to officer training school strongly opposed; bill later defeated

  • Dec 20 1944

    With more than 900 on duty, WASP deactivated; all records are sealed, classified for more than 30 years

  • 1972

    Rep. Patsy Mink, D-Hawaii introduces Bill to recognize WASP service; bill is killed.

  • 1976

    WASPs speak out after air force claims 18 women in the pilot school are the first women to fly military aircraft.

  • 1977

    President Jimmy Carter signs Bill giving WASP military recognition; they get veteran status.

  • 2010

    WASPs receive the highest civilian award, the Congressional Gold Medal for their service to the nation.