American Forces Press Service reports that President Obama signed a bill last week to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Air Force Service Pilots of World War II, the first women in American history to fly military aircraft.

From 1942 to 1943, more than 1,000 women flew in the unit, and 38 of them made the ultimate sacrifice in performing its mission. The Women Air Force Service Pilots, known collectively as WASPs, participated in instructor piloting, towing targets for air-to-air gunnery practice, ground-to-air anti-aircraft practice and transporting personnel and cargo, among other tasks. In total, the women flew more than 60 million miles on American missions. But until recently, the women had not been recognized for their contributions.

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida said the legislation recognizes the women’s sacrifice. “This Congress…considers them all heroes because these trailblazers and true patriots served our country without question and with no expectations of recognition or praise,” she said. “This bill honors mothers, grandmothers, teachers, office workers, nurses, business women, photographers, [and] dancers. One was even a nun,” she added. “But before that, they were pilots for the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.”

At the signing ceremony, President Obama said, “the Women Air Force Service Pilots courageously answered their country’s call in a time of need while blazing a trail for the brave women who have given and continue to give so much in service to this nation.”

Women in today’s military have so many more opportunities than the WWII WASPs. Share your stories from then and now of women serving and sacrificing for our country.

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To read a blogpost about women in today’s military, click here.
photo courtesy National Archives, Harlingen Army Air Field, Texas–Elizabeth L. Gardner of Rockford, Illinois, WASP (Women’s Airforce Service Pilot) pilot, takes a look around before sending her plane streaking down the runway at the air base., ca. 1930 - 1975; ARC Identifier 542191

Tags: Air Force, Congressional Gold Medal, sacrifice, WASP, women

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