Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) Organized

The WASP is formed out of two different organizations of women civilian pilots, the Women's Airforce Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) and the Women's Flying Training Detachment (WFTD), both of which had been flying in service to the Army since the fall of 1942. These women delivered planes from factories to military bases, tested refurbished planes, towed targets for anti-aircraft gunnery practice, flew searchlight tracking missions, and instructed male pilots. This dangerous work resulted in the deaths of thirty-eight WASPs. It wouldn't be until 1977 that they were granted veteran's status.