WASP of WWII Will Receive Congressional Gold Medal
Feb 25 2010
Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) from World War II will finally be given the recognition and honor they deserve when they and representatives of deceased WASP receive a Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony to be held in the United States Capitol on Wednesday, March 10, 2010. The WASP were a trailblazing group of 1,102 civilian female pilots, the first to fly military aircraft under the direction of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Nearly 70 years ago, WASP ferried fighter, bomber, transport, and training aircraft and performed other missions in the continental United States to help defend America’s freedom.
Activities honoring the WASP commence with a private remembrance ceremony at the World War II Memorial on Tuesday, March 9 at 4 p.m. A welcome salute reception will immediately follow at the Women In Military Service For America Memorial. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Republican Leader John Boehner, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, and Members of Congress will hold the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony on March 10 at 11 a.m. in the Capitol.
A celebration reception for WASP, family, and friends will be held in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center following the ceremony. Legendary television news anchor and author of “The Greatest Generation” Tom Brokaw will attend. Additional special guests include Vice Admiral Vivien Crea (USCG, Ret.), the first woman to serve as a Presidential Military Aide and pioneering Coast Guard aviator; Colonel Eileen Collins (USAF, Ret.), the first woman astronaut to command a Space Shuttle; and Major Nicole Malachowski, who initiated legislation to recognize the WASP and the first female to serve as an Air Force Thunderbird pilot. The celebration will conclude with a Military Aviators Tribute Dinner on Wednesday night at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center at National Harbor.
The Women’s Memorial is currently home to Fly Girls of World War II, an extensive exhibit that tells the story of women aviators who, as WASP, performed the stateside service of male pilots, relieving more men to fly combat missions overseas during the war. To learn how to help ensure all living WASP can attend celebration activities in Washington, D.C., please visit www.flygirls.org.
Is there a complete lists of all the WASPs receving this award? I know two that are still living and I’m wondering if they will be receiving this medal.