Good FLYING Reads: Pinning on Wings of Gold

The first female U.S. Navy pilots form a fascinating subject for author Beverly Weintraub.

Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at 06:03 PM ET

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Barbara Ann Allen (right with Judith Ann Neuffer) was the first to receive her "Wings of Gold" on February 22, 1974. [Courtesy: U.S. Navy]

Key Takeaways:

Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt's efforts to address Navy morale and personnel shortages in the early 1970s led to a policy change opening challenging roles, including naval flight training, to women.
The first six women naval aviators began training in October 1972, with Barbara Ann Allen becoming the first to earn her "Wings of Gold" in February 1974.
These pioneering women faced significant restrictions due to the combat exclusion law (Section 6015), which limited their roles and advancement opportunities for nearly two decades.
The eventual repeal of the combat exclusion law in 1993, largely influenced by the path these women forged, opened full combat and leadership opportunities for subsequent generations of female military aviators.

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Though the U.S. armed services have drawn strength from the contributions of women since their respective beginnings, immediately after World War II, there were limited opportunities for women to serve in uniform—and none to fly as their brothers did.

Until Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt rose to the top of the U.S. Navy, there was little reason to bring into the ranks the social change unfolding around the country during the 1960s and ’70s—except Zumwalt had a crisis of morale to confront, and a personnel shortage. Re-enlistment was at a low point, as was the incentive to join up once the draft ended.