Veterans History Project Collecting WASPs’ Heroic Stories

The Veterans History Project is reaching out to the remaining WASPs and their families and friends, asking that they share their experiences.

Meg Godlewski

Monday, October 23, 2023 at 03:34 PM ET

Verified

Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) Frances Green, Margaret (Peg) Kirchner, Ann Waldner and Blanche Osborn (left to right) leaving their B-17 Flying Fortresses, Pistol Packin' Mama, at the four engine school at Lockbourne AAF, Ohio. [Photo: U.S. Air Force]

Key Takeaways:

The Veterans History Project (VHP) is actively seeking to record the stories of World War II women veterans, including the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) and "Code Girls," as these women are now elderly and their experiences are at risk of being lost.
WASPs served in vital non-combat flying roles from 1943-1944, enduring the same training as men, but were not recognized as veterans until 1977 and often kept their service a secret from their families for decades.
"Code Girls" were approximately 10,000 women who served in secrecy during WWII as cryptographers and cryptanalysts, breaking enemy codes while publicly claiming to be secretaries.
Established by Congress in 2000, VHP collects and archives oral histories, memoirs, photographs, and other documents from U.S. veterans at the Library of Congress to preserve their contributions for future generations.

See a mistake? Contact us.

This year I celebrated my 20th trip to EAA AirVenture. The annual event is marked by a group photo shoot by Women in Aviation. For many years, the members of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs), wearing their distinctive blue pants and white blouses, were always in the front row in a place of honor.

This year, there were none. This was not a surprise, as many of these women, part of what Tom Brokaw dubbed “The Greatest Generation,” are too frail to travel. Before they head West, the Veterans History Project wants to capture their stories.