VETERANS PRESS: History Notes

22 June 1943, Jacqueline Cochran was appointed as Director of Women Pilots, while Nancy Love assumed the role of directing the women of the Air Transport Command. Later in August, the two programs merged and became the WASP.  

Members of WASP became trained pilots who tested and ferried aircraft and trained other pilots. Their purpose was to free male pilots for combat roles during World War II. They flew over 60 million miles; transported every type of military aircraft; towed targets for live anti- aircraft gun practice; simulated strafing missions and transported cargo.

The WASP and its members had no military standing and it took another 30 years before women were allowed to fly in the military.  

In 1977, for their World War II service, the members were granted veteran status, and in 2009 awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.