How Many WASP Died in World War II
WouterDuring World War II, 38 WASP died while serving in the Army Air Forces. These were the young women who were recruited to fly stateside for the U.S. Army Air Forces in the months leading up to D-Day. These women flew aircraft, ferried equipment, and trained male pilots.
WASP pilots flew every kind of aircraft in the Army Air Forces, including fighter planes and transport aircraft. They also flew test flights for new and repaired aircraft. Their work included searchlight tracking missions, aerial gunnery practice, and ferrying equipment to military airfields.
WASP flew more than 60 million miles during the war. Their work helped male pilots prepare for combat training and allowed them to focus on more important tasks. They ferried equipment, supplies, and personnel.
In 1943, the WAFS was assigned to Camp Davis in Texas, where one of the WAFS’s died. Her name was Betty Taylor Wood. This is the first time a WAFS died in action. The WASP had been tasked with ferrying a fleet of Mustangs from California to New Jersey.
Another WASP was the first female pilot to fly a jet aircraft. She flew the YP-59A Airacomet. She was a pilot for the Domestic Wing of the Army Air Forces.
In 1977, the WASP program became public. By then, more than 1,100 WASP had logged over 60 million miles and had completed every task a male pilot could perform. However, they were still not recognized as military veterans until more than 30 years later. In 2009, President Barack Obama signed a bill granting Congressional Gold Medals to WASP members.
