License to Fly
From 1941 to 1944, men had to have a high school diploma and pass a physical exam and written test before they could train to become pilots in the US Army Air Forces (USAAF). However, women hoping to join the WASP were also required to have two hundred hours of flying experience (later reduced to seventy-five, then thirty-five) and pass a flight test. Once accepted into the WASP program, each woman was expected to work, fly, and learn according to USAAF rules and regulations. The trainees took an oath of allegiance and learned military drills (formal movements and formations). They worked twelve-hour days split between classes, physical training, barracks inspections, and time on the airfield.
The “Army” Way
The women now had to learn to fly the “Army” way. Their training emphasized cross-country flying and intentionally deemphasized aerobatics. No gunnery or close-formation flight training would exist because combat roles were forbidden. The women also had to ensure their navigation skills were advanced while learning the flight patterns around the bases. By graduation, each WASP received a thorough education on discipline and leadership as well as military duties, responsibilities, customs, and courtesies. The 1,074 women who graduated departed for their assignments with 560 hours of ground school and 210 flight hours. They earned commercial pilot’s licenses and instrument ratings. The sum of their learning equaled a college aeronautical degree. “Honestly, our life is so filled with flying that we lose touch with everything outside of Avenger Field. We think, talk, live FLYING. Sometimes, I dream flying.” – Adaline Blank, 43-W-8.
Diversity
Many of the first women to enroll were from wealthy white families with access to aircraft and the means to support flying lessons. Eventually, women from all socio-economic backgrounds applied. Only five women of color joined the ranks of the WASP: Verneda Rodriguez and Francis Dias of Latino heritage; Hazel Ah Ying Lee and Maggie Gee of Chinese descent; and Ola Mildred Rexroat from the Oglala Lakota Nation. Several Black aviators applied, including Janet Harmon Bragg and Mildred Hemmons but all were turned down due to their race. Carter was retroactively honored with a WASP Congressional Gold Medal.
Earning Their Wings
In early April 1943, as the first class of WASP pilots awaited graduation, the USAAF declared they would not receive a military pilot rating. Only military personnel received the rating. Therefore, the women would not get wings. Knowing how important the symbol of wearing wings was to the WASP, Jackie Cochran refused to accept the slight. The women had done the training and earned the badge. Cochran and her husband privately paid to have wings made for the graduates. The first seven WASP classes in 1943 wore a variation of the USAAF pilot’s badge. Lieutenant Alfred (Al) Fleishman, Special Services Officer for the WASP, designed their wings with a smooth sanded shield engraved with the class number, and the scroll above it shows the squadron number of the Training Command. Class 44-W-1 was the first to receive the official USAAF WASP wings with a diamond in the center. WASP “legend” is that the diamond, represents the shield of Athena, goddess of war and protector of the brave. However, historically, Athena’s shield is round and bears the severed head of the Gorgon Medusa. More accurately consistent with the heraldic coat of arms, women use a lozenge or diamond shape versus the male use of a shield.
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