Will Receive The Congressional Gold Medal On March 10th
Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP) from World War II will
finally be given the recognition and honor they deserve when they
and representatives of deceased WASP receive a Congressional Gold
Medal during a ceremony to be held in the United States Capitol on
Wednesday, March 10, 2010. The WASP were a trailblazing group of
1,102 civilian female pilots, the first to fly military aircraft
under the direction of the United States Army Air Forces during
World War II. Nearly 70 years ago, WASP ferried fighter, bomber,
transport, and training aircraft and performed other missions in
the continental United States to help defend America’s
freedom.
Through their heroic and patriotic actions, the WASP helped pave
the way for women military aviators today. The WASP were not
granted military status until 1977 and the women pilots had to pay
their own way to training, set up collections to help send a fallen
WASP home, and after the war, paid their own way home. Fewer than
300 WASP survive today and more than half, along with some one
thousand family members and friends, are expected to travel to
Washington to personally receive their medals. The Women In
Military Service For America Memorial Foundation will serve as the
official host for two days of events in the nation’s capital
to honor the WASP and recognize their service.
“The Women In Military Service For America Memorial
Foundation is both honored and pleased to be a part of this
historic event to pay tribute to the Women Air Force Service Pilots
of World War II. The Women’s Memorial was built so that the
American public, and the world, could come to know about the over
2.5 million women who have served in the nation’s
defense,” said Brigadier General Wilma L. Vaught (USAF,
Ret.), president of the Women In Military Service For America
Memorial Foundation. “Our primary mission is to tell the
story of women’s service. It is therefore both fitting and
essential that we would assist in this tribute to the WASP and
their extraordinary story of service and sacrifice at a time in our
history when women aviators were almost non-existent. The WASP were
true trailblazers.”
Activities honoring the WASP commence with a private
remembrance ceremony at the World War II Memorial on Tuesday, March
9 at 1600. A welcome salute reception will immediately follow at
the Women In Military Service For America Memorial. Speaker Nancy
Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Republican Leader
John Boehner, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, and Members
of Congress will hold the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony on
March 10 at 11 a.m. in the Capitol. A celebration reception for
WASP, family, and friends will be held in the U.S. Capitol Visitor
Center following the ceremony. Legendary television news anchor and
author of “The Greatest Generation” Tom Brokaw will
attend. Additional special guests include Vice Admiral Vivien Crea
(USCG, Ret.), the first woman to serve as a Presidential Military
Aide and pioneering Coast Guard aviator; Colonel Eileen Collins
(USAF, Ret.), the first woman astronaut to command a Space Shuttle;
and Major Nicole Malachowski, who initiated legislation to
recognize the WASP and the first female to serve as an Air Force
Thunderbird pilot. The celebration will conclude with a Military
Aviators Tribute Dinner on Wednesday night at the Gaylord National
Hotel and Convention Center at National Harbor.
“At the Women's Memorial, the Fly Girls of World War II
exhibit is showcasing the inspirational history of the WASP. It is
a beautiful setting that is dedicated to honoring all women who
have worn a uniform and served our country,” said Nancy
Parrish, executive director of Wings Across America. “Because
of the Women's Memorial Foundation and its exceptional support, the
national spotlight is shining even brighter to celebrate and honor
the WASP on this special occasion.”