Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP)

• In 1942, the United States participated in World War II.
• Initially, only men were pilots in the U.S. Army.
• The Army required more pilots during the war.
• Some people suggested that women could be pilots.
• Others opposed the idea, believing women weren't strong enough to fly large airplanes.
• Eventually, it was proven that women were capable pilots.

Joining WASP

• The Army formed a group called Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP).
• It was hard to get into WASP.
• The women already had to know how to fly.
• Around 25,000 women applied for the WASP program.
• WASP training was very difficult, resulting in many not graduating.

The Work of WASP

• After training, the women pilots started working and played an important role in the war effort.
• WASP pilots flew new planes to army bases.
• They tested the planes that had been repaired.
• The women pilots carried equipment from place to place.
• Between 1942 and 1944, they flew over 60 million miles.
• They flew the same aircraft as the men.

Non-Army Workers

• WASP did not fight in the war, but the women were considered non-Army workers.
• They were highly trained aviators.
• They were very important and had dangerous jobs.

After the War

• After the war, most women stopped flying and returned home.
• Many people forgot about the work the women did.
• History books did not mention them.
• Years later, the WASP program was celebrated.
• In 1977, President Jimmy Carter signed a law making WASP part of the Army.
• WASP demonstrated that women could fly as well as men, and the program opened opportunities for women in other jobs.

The WASP Program Data

• 25,000 applied
• 1,830 accepted
• 552 did not pass flying tests
• 152 quit the program
• 28 left due to health issues
• 14 did not follow orders
• 10 left for other reasons
• 1,074 graduated.

A Letter Home

• Alberta Kinney trained to join WASP in 1943.
• She writes about her training in a letter to her family.
• She had trouble when she did not pass her forty-hour progress check.
• She got a "C" on another test.
• She was about 10 hours behind in flying time.
• It was determined that she would take the Army Check.
• She took Captain Taylor up in the air and the flight went well.
• She finished her ten hours of flying time in the air.
• She felt that her flight instructor was supportive.
• She came in for a solo landing one week later.
• There was crosswind that pushed her aircraft to the side, she dragged her wings, wobbling side to side three times.
• The instructors held a meeting about her flying.
• She was not allowed in, but had to wait for three and a half hours with no lunch.
• Afterwards, they decided to take her Army Check.