WASP Legacy Honored at Texas Event

Remembering the groundbreaking female pilots who shaped U.S. history in WWII.

Meg Godlewski

Friday, April 28, 2023 at 12:51 PM ET

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Three WASP at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas. [Courtesy: Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum]

Key Takeaways:

The annual WASP Homecoming, "Journey to the Stars," at the National WASP WWII Museum in Sweetwater, Texas, honors the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), recognizes their successors, and celebrates 30 years of women in military aviation.
The event features storytelling, displays of World War II-era aircraft, remembrance ceremonies for fallen WASP, and a hangar dance, attracting relatives, inspired individuals, and women military aviators.
Established in 1943, the WASP were pioneering civilian female pilots who performed vital non-combat flying duties during WWII, freeing up male pilots for combat.
Despite their critical contributions and sacrifices, WASP were initially denied military benefits, achieving military status in 1977 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2009.

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Not all homecoming celebrations happen in the fall. The weekend of April 28-29, the WASP Homecoming is being held at the National WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) World War II Museum, located in Sweetwater, Texas.

The event is billed as Journey to the Stars and is intended to honor the WASP and to recognize the women who followed them into military flying and celebrate 30 years of women flying in service to their country.