A note about the index: The pages referenced in this index refer to the page numbers in the print edition. Clicking on a page number will take you to the ebook location that corresponds to the beginning of that page in the print edition. For a comprehensive list of locations of any word or phrase, use your reading system’s search function.
A
ace pilots, WWI fighter pilots, 83
African Americans
migration changes, 39
in military, 42
Tuskegee Airmen, 64
women pilots, 68
in workforce, 41–42
Air Force. See United States Air Force (USAF)
Air Force Cross, 44
Air Transport Command, 89
air travel
beginning of, 4
passenger plane exhibit, 6–7
airplane types
AT-6 trainers, 86
B-17 (See B-17 bombers)
B-24 bombers, 40
B-29 Superfortress bombers, 125–126, 127, 129
B-34 bomber, 97
C-60 cargo planes, 100
gliders, 99–100
jet propulsion engines, 132–135
P-39 Airacobra fighter, 86, 118
P-47 Thunderbolt fighter, 85
P-51 Mustang fighter and fighter-bomber, 85, 87
Piper Cubs, 106
PQ-8 drones, 101
PT-17 Stearman biplanes, 88–89
PT-19 trainers, 56, 67, 87–88, 93
T-6 trainer, 172
target-practice planes, 61
airplanes
beginning of, 4
as weapons of mass destruction, 34
Allied alliance
European progress (1943–1944), 82
Italy invasion, 81
leaders of, 22
Pacific front defeats, 49
U.S. member of, 37
All-Woman Transcontinental Air Race, 163
altitude record, American women flyers, 15
American Airlines, 6
Arlington National Cemetery, 175–177
Army Air Corps
building resources for, 16
fighter plane escorts, 81–83
need for planes, not pilots, 21
Plans Division, 19–20
Women enlistment in, 45
Army Air Forces (AAF)
African Americans in, 65–66
bases and fields (See specific base and field by name)
congressional support for, 138
flight school closings, 141–142
flight specialization, 83
move from air war, 141
on need for WASP program, 150
Arnold, Bruce, 165–166, 167, 168–169
Arnold, Henry “Hap”
address to last WASP graduating class, 155
death of, 165
end of WASP program, 135
Ferrying Command approval, 51
flying lessons for, 7
halting trans-Atlantic flight, 119
as head of Army Air Corps, 8, 49
military flying approval, 61
on need for larger plane, 125
on need for planes, not pilots, 20
on need for WASP program, 150, 151
on pilots for military, 48, 51, 142, 166
press reference regarding Cochran and, 151
questioning women pilot’s abilities, 21, 25
testimony supporting Wasps, 153
White House aviation awards luncheon, 24–25
Aryans, defined, 10
Atlantic Ocean, air flights across, 5, 116–119
atomic bomb, 129
Australia
in Pacific front, 81
pilots flying with RAF, 21
automobile plants, 38–39
Avenger Field, Sweetwater, Texas. See Women’s Flying Training Detachment (WFTD)
awards and honors, 24–25, 44, 149, 173, 175
B
B-17 bombers
attacking Germany from England, 81
on board bathroom, 121–122
lost in battle, 115
Miss Patricia J, 114
Queen Bee, 46
size and strength of pilots, 116–117, 120
as test plane, 130
training program, 119–122
B-24 bombers, 40
B-26 bombers, 123–125
B-29 Superfortress bombers, 125–126, 127, 129
B-34 bombers, 97
bathroom issues, 63, 121–122, 131–132
Batten, Bernice, 80
Battle of Midway (1942), 49
Battle of the Coral Sea (1942), 49
Baumgartner, Ann
attitude after WASP’s demise, 157
end of WASP program, 135
as flight instructors after the war, 162
Orville Wright meeting, 132–133
target towing, 97–98
test-fly first jet airplane, 134–135
Wright Field, Ohio, 130–132
beep pilots, 101–102
Bell Helicopter, 168
Bendix Trophy Race (1938), 15
Blue Angels, 170
boasting, bragging and, 17
bomber planes
B-17 (See B-17 bombers)
B-26, 123–125
B-34, 97
bragging, boasting and, 17
Britain. See Great Britain
British Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA), 26–27, 47, 49
British Royal Air Force (RAF), 21
Brown, Willa, 68
Buckingham Army Air Field, Florida, 112
Burchfield, Phyllis, 54
businesses
household goods production, 162
switch to military equipment, 160
war-related businesses, 42
women in workforce, 41
C
C-60 cargo planes, 100
Camp Davis, North Carolina
abuse at, 152
deaths at, 108–111
maintenance problems at, 105–108
monthly physical exams, 107
morale at, 111–113
photo of, 96
Canada, pilots flying with RAF, 21
Carter, Jimmy, 170
Chamberlain, Neville, 11
China
Allied alliance, 37
Japanese land takeover, 33
Chinese American pilots, 65
Chrysler, 40
Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA), 127
Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP), 48, 54, 56, 67
Coast Guard Women’s Reserve, 140
Cochran, Jacqueline
on African American recruits, 65–66
background, 15–19
blamed for WASP’s demise, 159–160
on Camp Davis conditions, 106–107
at class graduations, 79
on conditions at Camp Davis, 111–113
described in Life magazine, 146
end of WASP program, 135
flying to London, 25–26
Ninety-Nines member, 52
photo of, 156
plan for women pilots, 16, 18, 61, 99
recruiting women pilots for ATA, 26–27, 47, 49
support for, 160
talk with Hap Arnold, 24
target towing, 98
Cochran’s Convent, 75
cohesion, 66
Coleman, Bessie, 68
college-educated women, 41
Combat Action Medals, 149
combat flying training, 62, 67
combat pilots, 48
combat positions, 149
communist countries, 22
Congress
Committee on Appropriations, 150–151
conscription act (draft) passed, 24
investigation committee on WASP program, 149–150
men lobbying for WASP pilot jobs, 142, 148–149, 152–153
on militarizing WAFS, 54–55, 72, 137–138, 150, 152–153, 164, 171
military budget increase (1940s), 8, 24, 37
on military buildup (1920s and 1930s), 7
National Security Act (1947), 8
on veterans’ benefits, 164
WASP Military Committee, 167–170, 175
WASP’s burial at Arlington National Cemetery, 176–177
women in military academies, 166
women pilots for combat missions, 174
women’s enlistment in military (1942), 42–43
Congressional Medal of Honor, 44, 173, 175
conscription act (draft), 24, 42, 142
Coral Sea, Battle of the (1942), 49
D
Dahl, Roald, 78–79
Defense Department. See Department of War
dehydration, 131–132
democracy, protection of, 13, 24
Department of Veterans Affairs, 175–176
Department of War (later Defense), 138, 148, 150
depression, economic disaster. See Great Depression (1930s)
dictators, 2
discharge papers, 169–170
Disney, Walt, 79
Distinguished Flying Cross, 44
Distinguished Service Cross, 44
Donahue, Barbara, 54
Dougherty, Dora, 113, 126–128, 163, 167–168, 176
draft (conscription act), 24, 42, 142
drill instruction, 58–59, 69–70
drones, 101–102
E
Earhart, Amelia
Atlantic Ocean, air flights across, 5
disappearance of, 6
as Ninety-Nines president, 19
possible cause of death, 104
solo flight from Hawaii to West Coast, 103
economic disaster (1930s). See Great Depression (1930s)
economic turn-around, 3
Ellington Field, Texas, combat pilots training, 62, 67
end of war issues, 140–141
Endeavor (space shuttle), 174
England. See Great Britain
Enola Gay (B-29), 129
Erickson, Barbara Jane “B.J.”
attitude after WASP’s demise, 162
competing in Powder Puff Derby, 163
funeral service for Fort, 91
love of flying, 162
marathon ferrying, 84–85
notifying families of deaths, 110
photo of, 80
Ernst, Joni, 177
Europe
German bombings, 23–24
U.S. enters the war, 35
executive order, 39–40
experimental military test flights, 132
F
factories
converting to military production, 24
household goods production, 162
mobilizing for war, 38–39
switch to military equipment, 160
women in workforce, 41
farmworkers, 41
Ferrying Command. See Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS)
ferrying planes
at Camp Davis, North Carolina, 96
delivery statistics, 88–89
marathon ferrying, 84–86
return trip transportation, 93–94
risks, 89–93
unscheduled landings, 86–88
variety of planes, 83–84
See also Fort, Cornelia
Fifinella, WASP mascot, 78–79, 127, 174
fighter planes
P-47 Thunderbolt, 85
Fillmore, Carol, 87
film documentaries, 163
fireside chats, 36
588th Night Bomber Regiment (USSR), 26
Fleishman, Alfred, 70–72
flight instructors, 29, 30, 100–101, 119–122, 162
flight path, described, 20
Florsheim, Marion, 63–64
“flying coffin,” 118
Flying Fortress. See B-17 bombers
“flying jalopies,” 108
Form One sheets, 106, 109, 110
formation flying, 90–91
Fort, Cornelia
background, 29–30
death of, 90–93
desire to fly for military, 47–49
on flight training completion, 59
on New Castle training program, 56
photo of, 80
recruited for Flying Command, 47, 52
on the service of women pilots, 94–95
WAFS member, 53
France, Allied alliance, 22
G
gag order, 142–143, 148, 163–164
Gardner Field, California, 103
Germany
Britain bombings, 23–24
declares war on U.S., 37
European countries invaded, 11, 21
Great Britain at war with, 11
as totalitarian government, 2
U.S. entrance in WWII, 40
See also Hitler, Adolf
Gilbert Islands, 49
Gillies, Betty Huyler
attitude after WASP’s demise, 157, 162
B-17 training and flying, 46, 116–117
background, 52–53
at Camp Davis, 113
end of WASP program, 135
flying large planes, 57–58
flying tribute to Fort, 92–93
as military drill instructor, 59
New Castle training program, 55
work after the war, 163
“Girl Pilots” (magazine article), 144, 147
glass ceiling, 119
glider towing, 99–100
Gold Medal recipients (2010), 174
gold star families, 92
Goldwater, Barry, 166
government jobs for women, 41, 42
Great Britain
Allied alliance, 22
Dunkirk battle, 21
entrance into WWII, 11
fighter plane escorts, 23–24, 81–83
German bombings, 23–24
North Africa victory, 81
women pilot’s program, 25–26, 47
Great Depression (1930s)
economic slowdown, 2–3
financial costs, 7
managing bad news, 36
stifled dreams, 6
world-wide, 1–2
Great Migration, 39
Great War. See World War I (Great War)
The Gremlins (Dahl), 78
The Gremlins (Disney book), 79
ground war focus, 141
Guadalcanal, victory in, 81
Guam
Allies’ defeat, 49
Japanese attack, 35
H
Hanrahan, Marion, 107–110, 111
Harmon, Elaine, 172, 175, 176–177
Harmon Trophy (1938, 1939), 17
heavy bombers, 122
helicopter pilots, 163
Helms, Susan, 174
Hiroshima, Japan, atomic bomb attack, 129
Hitler, Adolf
growing tensions, 9–11
military aggression threats, 1
Nazi Party, 10
Hong Kong, 49
House of Representatives
Committee on Appropriations, 150–151
on militarizing WASPs, 150, 152–153
household goods production, 162
Huston, Texas, WFTD training program. See Women’s Flying Training Detachment (WFTD)
I
imperialism, 2
industries
converting to military production, 24
growth and migration changes, 39
household goods production, 162
mobilizing for war, 38–40
switch to military equipment, 160
women in workforce, 41
instrument flying skills, 99
Italy
Allies’ invasion, 81
declares war on U.S., 37
as totalitarian government, 2
U.S. entrance in WWII, 40
J
Jacqueline Cochran Cosmetics, 17
James, Teresa, 85–86, 88, 157–159, 162
Japan
China, land takeover,, 33
Pearl Harbor attack, 28, 31–34
Southeast Asia, land takeover,, 33
as totalitarian government, 2
U.S. entrance in WWII, 40
Java (Indonesia island), 49
jet propulsion engine planes, 132–135
Jim Crow laws, 39
job variety for women pilots
assisting mechanics, 108
flight instructors, 100–101
flying redlined planes, 105–106
glider towing, 99–100
maintenance testing, 103–105
military pilots training, 101
night flying, 99
safety pilots, 102
searchlight flying, 99
See also ferrying planes
jobs for WASP pilots after the war, 162–163
Johnson, Didi, 126–127
K
K rations, 38
Kellogg Company, 38
Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, 4
L
Ladies Courageous (movie), 145
Ladybird, B-29 Superfortress, 127
LGBTQ in military, 66
lift, air, 20
Lockbourne Army Air Base, Ohio, 119
Long Beach Army Air Field, California, 84, 85, 90, 112, 152
Love, Nancy
with 1930 circa plane, 14
advocate for recruiting women pilots, 19–20, 27
B-17 training, 116–117
B-17 trans-Atlantic flight, 118–119
background, 19
end of WASP program, 135
Ferrying Command approval, 51
Ferrying Command recruiting, 51–55
fighter planes, 87
at Fort’s funeral, 91
as military drill instructor, 58–59
on New Castle training program, 56
Ninety-Nines club member, 19
Queen Bee B-17 pilot, 46
rooftop navigation points, 19
M
Malachowski, Nicole, 174
McSally, Martha, 176–177
Menges, Kay, 111
Meserve, Gertrude, 57
Midway, Battle of (1942), 49
Midway Island, Japanese attack (1941), 35
Mikulski, Barbara, 177
militarism, 2
militarization of women’s service
Appropriations Committee, 150–151
congressional position on, 137–140
30 years after the war, 164–166
timing of request for, 140
for WAFS, 54
military
African Americans in, 42
foreign aggression threats, 1
medals and honors, 44, 149, 173, 175
military budget increase, 8
women’s jobs in, 18, 41–43, 48, 51
See also specific military units
military academies, admitting women, 166, 173
Military Affairs Committee, 153
military auxiliaries, 140
military discipline, 167–168
military flying for women pilots, 61–62
military pilots training, 101
minority population, opportunities for, 41–42, 66
Mitchell, Logue, 119–122
monthly physical exams, 107
Morgan, Robert “Bob,” 153, 154
mother ships, 101
Mussolini, Benito, 35
N
Nagasaki, Japan, atomic bomb attack, 129
national cemeteries, 175–177
National Museum of the United States Air Force, 154
National Security Act (1947), 8
nationalism, 2
Native American pilots, 65, 68
navigation points, rooftops as, 19
Navy. See United States Navy
Navy Cross, 44
Nazi Party, 10
New Castle Army Air Base, Delaware. See Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS)
New World, called to help Britain, 23, 40
New York Times (newspaper), 1, 145
New York, World Trade Center terror attack, 34
New York World’s Fair (1939-1940)
jet engines, 132
passenger plane exhibit, 6–7
“World of Tomorrow,” x, 1, 3–4
night flying, 99
Night Witches, 26
Nineteenth Amendment, U.S. Constitution, 161
Ninety-Nines (club for women flyers), 19, 52
noncombat military jobs, 18, 43, 51
Noonan, Fred, 5
Noyes, Blanche, 15
nuclear age, beginning of, 129
O
Odlum, Floyd, 17
Olds, Robert, 19–20
Order of the Fifinella, 164
P
P-39 Airacobra fighter, 86, 118
P-47 Thunderbolt fighter, 85
P-51 Mustang fighter and fighter-bomber, 85, 87
Pearl Harbor (1941), 28, 31–34
Pennsylvania, September 11, 2001 terror attack, 34
Pentagon, September 11, 2001 terror attack, 34
Philippines
Allies’ defeat, 49
physical exams, monthly, 107
physical training (PT), 68–69
pilots
early days, 6
ferrying pilots (See ferrying planes)
regular AAF pilots, 83
size and strength issues, 57–58, 69, 116–117, 120
for tourists, 29
women flying heavy planes, 25
women volunteering during war, 18, 25–27
women’s jobs after the war, 162
See also airplane types; specific pilots by name
Piper Cubs, airplanes, 106
Plans Division, Army Air Corps, 19–20
Poland, invasion of, 11
Porter, Helen, 169–170
Powder Puff Derby, 163
PQ-8 drones, 101
precision flying teams, 170, 174
PT-17 Stearman biplanes, 88–89
PT-19 trainer planes, 56, 67, 87–88, 93
publications on women’s war efforts, 142–148, 151–152
public’s view of women in the military, 147, 148, 151–152, 164
pursuit planes, 85
Q
Queen Bee B-17, 46
R
racial integration, 66
racism, 10
radar, 19
Ramspeck, Robert, 149
Ramspeck Report, 149–152
Rawlinson, Mabel, 108–111
RCA, 3
records of WASP unit closed by government, 163, 168
redlined planes, 105–106
refueling missions, 173–174
refugee ships, 12
repaired planes, testing, 69
Robertson, Jeanne, 89
Rockwell, Norman, 139
Roosevelt, Eleanor, 17, 18–19, 51, 73
Roosevelt, Franklin D.
address nation about Japanese attack, 35–36
call for citizens to fight, 140
on Churchill’s call for New World help, 23
death of, 129
executive order ending automobile production, 39–40
fireside chats, 36
Great Depression, relief during, 2–3
military budget increase, 8
military buildup, 16
at New York World’s Fair, 1, 3
Rosie the Riveter, 139
Russia. See Soviet Union (USSR)
S
sabotage, 111
safety pilots, 101–102
scapegoating, 10
searchlight flying, 99
September 11, 2001 terror attack, 34
sexual harassment, 77
Shaffer, Gene, 103–105, 162, 177
silver wings, 79
Singapore, 49
size and strength of pilots, 57–58, 69, 116–117, 120
Southeast Asia, Japanese land takeover, 33
Soviet Union (USSR)
Allied alliance, 22
stopped Germans in eastern Europe, 81
women flying squadrons, 26
WWII death toll, 158
SPARs, Coast Guard Women’s Reserve, 140
Spirit of St. Louis (airplane), 5
Star Wars (movie), 167
Steele, Kaddy, 98, 164, 166, 175
stock market crash (1929), 2
strengthening exercises, 120
Strohfus, Betty Wall, 174–175
Strother Field, Kansas, 169
suffrage movement (1848), 161
T
television, introduction of, 3–4
test pilots, 103–105
testing center, 130
Thaden, Louise, 15
“The Girls Deliver the Goods” (newspaper article), 143–144
Tibbets, Paul, 126–127, 129, 153
totalitarian governments, 2
totalitarianism, 2
Towne, Barbara, 80
trainer planes
AT-6, 86
T-6, 172
trans-Atlantic flight, 5, 116–119
truant officers, 107
Truman, Harry, 129
Tunner, William, 51, 106–107, 116, 118
Tuskegee Airmen, 64
two-engine planes, 122
Tyce, Bob, 32
U
United States
Allied alliance, 22
North Africa victory, 81
Pearl Harbor attack, 28, 31–34
WWII death toll, 158
United States Air Force (USAF)
Air Force Cross, 44
establishment of, 8
Thunderbirds, 170
training women on military aircraft, 166
Women in the Air Force unit, 165
women pilots, 165
women’s jobs in, 165
See also Army Air Corps; Army Air Forces (AAF)
United States Armed Forces
acceptance of African Americans and women, 65–66
expansion of, 37–38
minority groups, 66
precision flying teams, 170, 174
twenty-first century achievements, 149
women pilots acceptance, 173–174
United States Army
Air Corps (See Army Air Corps)
Air Forces (See Army Air Forces (AAF))
Army Nurse Corps, 43–44
Blue Angels, 170
medals and honors, 44, 149, 173, 175
WFTD (See Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS))
women pilots, 165
Women’s Army Corps, 8, 137, 140
Women’s Land Army, 41
United States Constitution, Nineteenth Amendment, 161
United States Navy
Blue Angels, 170
medals and honors, 44
Navy Nurse Corps, 43–44
women pilots, 165
upward lift, 20
USS Shaw, 28
USSR. See Soviet Union (USSR)
V
Veterans Affairs Department, 175–176
veterans benefits, 159, 164, 166, 167, 171
victory gardens, 38
W
WAC (Women’s Army Corps), 8, 137, 140
Walker, Mary Edwards, 44
Walt Disney Studios, 79
war-related businesses, 42
washout rate, 76–77
WASP Military Committee, 167–170, 175
See also Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP)
WAVES (Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service), 42–43, 137, 140
West, Nadja, 149
Westinghouse Electric Company, 3, 139, 162
White House aviation awards luncheon (1941), 24–25
Williams, Betty Jane, 69, 79, 99, 160, 163
Willow Run, Michigan, B-24 bomber production, 40
women
altitude record, 15
awards and honors, 24–25, 44, 149, 173, 175
in combat, 66
expected to give up wartime jobs, 162
flying refueling missions, 173–174
in military, 141
military academies admission, 166, 173
in powerful positions, 149
in space flight, 174
USAF’s precision flying team, 174
Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service (WAVES), 42–43, 137, 140
Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP)
accident and fatality rate, 150
Appropriations Committee, 150–151
Arnold’s address to last class, 155
attitudes after WASP’s demise, 157–160, 163
Avenger Field training base, 72, 73
barracks conditions, 74
as a civilian program, 72, 91, 110
congressional investigation committee, 149–150
Congressional Medal of Honor, 173
discharge papers, 169–170
end of program, 135, 137–138, 153–154
ferrying planes (See ferrying planes)
flyboy’s fake emergencies, 75
formation of, 72
gaining respect of male pilots, 113
government closes records of, 163, 168
graduation rate, 150
job variety (See job variety for women pilots)
lyrics for familiar songs, 77–78
men lobbying for WASP pilot jobs, 142, 148–149, 152–153
militarizing expectations, 72, 137–138
militarizing request timing, 140–142
military discipline, 167–168
morale at Camp Davis, 111–113
newspaper publication for trainees, 78
non-traditional women’s work, 138–139
official recognition of military service, 171
publicity of women pilots, 142–148
Ramspeck Report, 149–152
reputations rules, 75
reunions, 164
solo pilot recognition, 77
training completion, 76
training requirements, 72
veterans benefits, 159, 164, 167, 171
washout rate, 76–77
See also Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS); Women’s Flying Training Detachment (WFTD)
Women in the Air Force (WAF), 165
Women’s Armed Services Integration Act (1948), 173
Women’s Army Corps (WAC), 8, 137, 140
Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS)
approval for women pilots, 51
background of pilots, 53–54
as a civilian program, 54–55
cockpit training, 56–57
flight uniforms and equipment, 59
ground courses, 56
instructors, 56–57
marching in review with military units, 58–59
merged into WASP program, 72
militarizing expectations, 54
photo of, 80
pilots pulled for combat, 50
qualifications, 53–54
recruits, 51–55
room inspections, 55–56
women pilots recruiting effort, 51–53
Women’s Flying Training Detachment (WFTD)
approval for, 61
Army life training, 71–72
arriving at, 60
backgrounds of trainees, 63–64
clothing, 70–71
drill instruction, 69–70
instructors, 67–68
merged into WASP program, 72
physical training, 68–69
racial diversity, 65
testing repaired planes, 69
training planes, use of, 67
women pilots recruiting effort, 62
See also Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP)
Women’s Land Army, 41
women’s movement, 161
women’s rights and opportunities, 5
“women’s work,” 138–139
Wood, Betty Taylor, 111
“World of Tomorrow” (N.Y. World’s Fair theme), x, 3–4
World Trade Center, terror attack, 34
World War I (Great War)
ace pilots, 83
devastation during, 11
migration changes, 39
women volunteering pilots, 18
World War II
Britain’s entrance, 11
causes, 2
deadliest war in history, 158
ground war focus, 141
Hitler’s responsibility for, 10
migration changes, 39
1940 Germany invades European countries, 21
1942 Pacific front defeats and victories, 49–50
1943 Europe and North Africa country’s progress, 81
1943 Pacific front victories, 81
1944 attack on Japan, 125–126
1944 war nearing end, 140
U.S. entrance, 35–37
Wright brothers (Orville and Wilbur)
Arnold’s flying lessons with, 7
first airplane (1903), 4
Orville at Wright Field, 132–133, 153
Wilbur, death of, 132
Wright Field, Ohio, 130–132, 153
Y
Yount, Martin, 144
Z
“zoot suits,” 71