This page is a tribute to a few of the hundreds of courageous American women who volunteered to serve as auxiliairy ferrying pilots with the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) from its formation in 1942 to its disbandment in 1944, and who were featured in my novels. While their actions in my novels are purely fictitious, their courage, dedication, patriotism and sense of adventure were not.
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Nancy Batson: (1920 - 2001). Joined the WAFS, then the WASP in 1942. Served until its disbandment in 1944. |
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Elizabeth Gardner: (1921 - ) Joined the WASP in 1943 and served until its disbandment in 1944. |
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Jean Hixson: (1922 - 1984). Joined the WASP in 1943 and served in it until its disbandment in 1944. Retired from the Air Force Reserves in 1982, with the rank of colonel. Was tested by the NASA as a prospective astronaut in 1961 and successfully passed all the same medical and psychological tests given to the male Mercury astronauts. However, the NASA eventually decided not to hire female astronauts then. |
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Betty Huyler Gillies: (1908 – 1998). Joined the WAFS, then the WASP in 1942. Served until its disbandment in 1944. President of the Ninety-Nines (American women pilots association) from 1939 to 1941. |
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Teresa James: (1914 - 2008). Obtained private pilot’s licence in 1933. Joined the WAFS, then the WASP in 1942, served until the WASP were disbanded in 1944. |
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Gertrude Meserve: (1920 - ). Joined the WAFS, then the WASP in 1942 and served until its disbandment in 1944. |
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Helen Richey: (1909 - 1947). Joined first the British ATA in 1941, then the WASP in 1942, served until its disbandment in 1944. Committed suicide in 1947 after being systematically refused jobs as a pilot by male airline executives. |
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Evelyn Sharp: (1919 – 1944). Joined first the WAFS, then the WASP in 1942. Killed in 1944 in the crash of a P-38 fighter she was ferrying. |
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Shirley Slade : (1921 - 2000) Joined the WASP in 1943 and served until its disbandment in 1944. |
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