While World War II raged on in Europe and the Pacific, trained pilots were needed to take the newly built aircraft, primarily fighters, from the factories to staging areas prior to shipment to their respective theaters of war. With nearly all male pilots serving abroad, the U.S.
military and defense industry would rely on the women of WASP to do this critical job. The Greatest Generation does their part At the onset of World War II , America’s men and women all did their part to ensure victory overseas. Generally speaking, the men flocked to the recruiting offices, joined the workforce to produce the much-needed war material, or remained on the farms.
In 1942, the author’s grandfather and great-uncle flipped a coin to see who would leave rural northern Wisconsin and join the military. My grandfather, Alex Martin, lost, joined the US Navy, and served as a Carpenter's Mate and later as an Underwater Demolition Team member in the Pacific Theater; my great-uncle Floyd remained home and took care of the farm. Although combat billets and combat units were not available to America's women, they served just as ardently and provided highly valuable service to the United States war effort.
One such elite area of service was as a civilian pilot in the WASP organization. Amelia Earhart was a pioneer of female aviation. yet few know, that many other women contributed to the feats of modern aviation.
The dire need for female pilots The WASP, or W omen’s A irforce S ervice P ilots, wa.