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Although the WASPs, Women Airforce Service Pilots, were not an actual branch of the military, but civilian contractors, they still had to wear uniforms. AAF Regulation 40-9, dated February 14, 1944, states that the WASP dress uniform will consist of: Jacket, Skirt, White shirt, Black tie, Beret, Shoes (either plain black pumps or black oxfords), Hose, and Gloves. Uniforms were made of Santiago Blue wool and included the dress beret. A black shoulder purse and a gray overcoat complete the outfit. On the dress uniform, WASP wore the Army Air Corps HQ patch on the left shoulder. WASP silver wings were worn on the chest, along with the wing and prop insignia and gold "W.A.S.P." insignia on the lapels. Optional command disks could be worn on the shoulder epaulets. A small version of the gold Army Officer's cap badge was worn on the beret.
Aside from the dress uniform, the WASP had several other outfits to choose from. Upon graduation and assignment, and prior to the issue of the Santiago Blue uniforms, each flyer bought men's khaki shirts and trousers for summer wear, and Army "pinks and greens" for winter. There was a blue flight suit with a matching blue poplin ballcap, and an Ike-style "battle jacket" with matching slacks, also in the Santiago Blue color. Blue and white shirts were issued for wearing under the various uniforms. During training and graudation, WASP could wear the "General's Whites" - consisting of khaki or "pinks" pants with a white blouse and a plain unpiped men's khaki garrison cap. During training, WASP generally wore men's green HBT (herringbone twill) coveralls, jokingly referred to as "zoot suits" because of their tendency to be much too large for the female pilots. White turbans, nicknamed "Urban's Turbans" after the base commander at the time, were also worn by the WASP during training, although most of the WASP disliked them and therefore didn't wear them.
Early WASP wings were privately purchased by Jackie Cochran and given as a gift to the early graduating classes. The face of the shield was smooth and the number of the graduating class was engraved on it. Above the shield, a scroll carried the number of the flying training detachment, the 318th. Official WASP wings were designed and made available by December 1943. In their center was a diamond, the traditional heraldic woman's shield.
Women played a vitally important role in WWII. They served as ferry pilots, medical personnel, and many other important functions relating to military aviation. WACs (Women's Army Corps), WAVES (Navy), SPARs (Coast Guard)and even woman Marines worked as aviation mechanics. Nearly 50% of the entire Woman's Army Corps served with the AAF, many assigned to clerical and administrative duties, while others worked as topographers, medical specialists, chemists, and aircraft mechanics. WAVES could be aviation machinist mates and aviation metalsmiths, as well as link trainer instructors, parachute riggers, and aerographers mates. American Red Cross women provided Canteen and Clubmobile services to overseas and stateside airbases, as well as providing Military Welfare Services to service personnel. The Navy Nurse Corps provided nurses and flight nurses to support the armed forces. Still other women serving in the Army Nurse Corps were assigned to the AAF. By 1944, 6,000 nurses were on duty in AAF hospitals, while some 500 were acting as flight nurses, aiding in the air evacuation of the wounded.
A select group of young female pilots became the WASP - Women Airforce Service Pilots. The WASP were the first women in history trained to fly American military aircraft. They ferried aircraft from factories to training bases. They also flew many diverse non-combat missions, such as towing aerial gunnery targets, and serving as instructors and test pilots. The WASP logged over 60 million miles and flew every type of aircraft used during the war, including fighters and heavy bombers. Thirty-eight WASP died in service to their country during WWII.
In the early months of World War II, two accomplished female pilots, Jacqueline Cochran and Nancy Love, made separate proposals to two different offices in the United States Army Air Force. Jacqueline Cochran proposed training women pilots to fly military aircraft, freeing up men for combat. Nancy Love proposed hiring women with commercial pilots licenses to ferry aircraft, freeing up men for combat. To this point, the only women allowed to fly for the benefit of the military were volunteers with either the Civil Air Patrol or the ATA (Air Transport Auxiliary) in England.
The WAFS were hired as civilian ferry pilots and worked under Nancy Love and the ferry command. The WAFS were authorized to ferry light trainers and utility aircraft. The WFTD - Women's Flying Training Detachment - consisted of Jackie Cochran's pilots that had gone through exactly the same pilot training as the male AAF cadets.
The WASP - Women Airforce Service Pilots - were formed in 1943 when the WFTD and the WAFS were merged. The WASP went through exactly the same training as male AAF cadets. Once the WASP earned their coveted silver wings, many of them went through specialized training for B-26s, B-17s, etc. Several members of the WASP even served as test pilots for the B-29. WASP were based at airfields around the country for various duties, including acting as test pilots and ferrying aircraft within the continental United States. Dallas Love Field was the base for the 5th Ferrying Wing, including the 601st Women's Army Service Pilots (WASP).
Out of nearly 25,000 applicants, 1,830 women were accepted into WASP training at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas. (The only all-women's air training base in the United States during WWII, often nicknamed "Cochran's Convent.") Of that 1,830, only 1,074 women finished the training and earned their wings. Thirty-eight WASP died in service to their country.
Although deemed highly successful, the WASP program was disbanded in December of 1944. Since the WASP were never officially a part of the US military, there were no discharges or veteran's benefits. On November 3, 1977, President Jimmy Carter signed into legislation a bill that finally provided military veteran status for the Women Airforce Service Pilots.
Do you have WWII memorabilia that you are not sure what to do with it? The children don't want it? Then let us help you preserve this history by donating these items to the Army Air Corps Library and Museum. We are accepting donations in the form of uniforms, medals, ribbons, patches, photos, memorabilia, papers, gear and equipment. We also accept monetary donations to support our operations and long term plans. This website is part of the Army Air Corps Library and Museum, and as a 501(c)(3) Non-profit, your qualifying donations are tax deductible.
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Historical Artifacts: We are looking for photos, documents and other types of artifacts including uniforms, medals, insignia, gear, manuals, and training material. We accept electronic/scans or originals of pictures and paper records. A General Order could be an award document that contains information on many servicemen. Special Orders may contain transfers or other information. Flight records, accident reports, maintenance logs, after action reports, pilot encounter reports, diaries and biorgraphies; all of these types of documents help us support or mission: preserving your history! Contact us today for instructions on sending us this material. Contact Today
Are you an AAC, AAF or USAF Veteran, family member, historian or WW2 enthusiast? We Need YOU! Contact us today to see how you can help the Army Air Corps Library and Museum, a Texas Not-For-Profit Corporation. We need your help! We are looking for volunteers that can help us with the following tasks. Typing and Transcriptionists: One of our big projects is extracting data from the thousands of documents we have and putting this data into a database where we can display the information on a website such as this one. We also need assistance with retyping unit history documents.
