How 1,074 women flew millions of miles to free male combat pilots

History · Published 8 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: During World War II, the U.S. military refused to accept female pilots into active service. Yet, a group of civilian women stepped into the cockpit, flying every type of American military aircraft to perform vital roles that ultimately released over 1,100 men for combat missions abroad.

The Women Airforce Service Pilots, or WASP, emerged from a necessity to address the looming shortage of male pilots as they were deployed overseas. To meet this need, General Hap Arnold approved the merger of two separate organizations: the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) and the Women's Flying Training Detachment (WFTD). Under the direction of Jacqueline Cochran, these civilian contractors took on immense responsibilities, including ferrying aircraft and personnel, towing targets, and performing various transport duties.

The scale of their contribution was massive. Between 1943 and 1944, the WASP flew more than 60 million miles. Their fleet was incredibly diverse, encompassing every military aircraft in use, including heavy bombers like the Boeing B-17 and B-29. Despite their skill—which included training male pilots—the WASP held a complex legal status. Because they were civilian contractors rather than military members, they were denied military benefits during and after the war.

The program was also marked by significant social exclusions. While 25,000 women applied and 1,830 were accepted, the group was not diverse; they did not accept Black pilots, turning away accomplished aviators like Willa Brown and Janet Bragg. A few non-white pilots joined the group, including two Latina pilots, two Chinese American pilots, and one Olgala Sioux tribal member.

Decades passed during the struggle for recognition. Following a 1972 reunion, the women launched a public relations campaign, gathering thousands of signatures and testifying before Congress. Their persistence led to legal recognition with partial veteran status in 1977. Later honors included the Congressional Gold Medal in 2009 and the right to have their remains cremated at Arlington National Cemetery in 2016, though they remain barred from burial there.

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