Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) were a group of women who did great service for the United States and its Allies during WWII. After the men had left for war, there was a great hole left and these women trained to fill that hole. Over the course of the years, over 1800 were accepted into the training program and about 1100 graduated, going on to serve on various bases around the US.
The WASPs ferried aircraft around the country, served a tow-target gunnery pilots, some as test pilots, and in various other capacities. They flew military planes though they were only recognized as civilian pilots. Over all, they flew over 60 million miles in 78 types of aircraft. These aircraft went from the smallest trainers to the fastest fighters and the heaviest bombers of the time. 38 WASPs gave their lives during this time.
In 1977, the women pilots were finally recognizes as WWII veterans. In 2010, their contribution to the war was recognized with a Congressional God Medal.
Sweetwater, TX, and Avenger Field is home to the WASP WWII Museum. In a 1929 hanger set on a hill, there is a small collection of interesting displays highlighting and honoring these women and all that they did for the war. The museum admission is free but they won’t say no to your donation. We also purchased a book titled “We Were WASPS” by Winifred Wood with drawings by Dorothy Swain, both WASPs.
We found the example of the barracks very interesting – one of the girls kept commenting on the cots they slept on. We saw examples of the types of transmitters and other communication boxes. We viewed a memorial to the women who lost their lives during the WASP program. We read about Jacqueline Cochran, who began the WASP program (interesting story and background!). We were able to view a film about the program with footage from Avenger Field. The girls sat in one of the trainers, or simulators, that were used and there were handprints from some of the WASPS along with their biographies. We were able to see pictures of many, if not all, of the graduating classes and textbooks that they used.
It did not take more than an hour to dawdle our way through the museum but we did enjoy it quite a bit. I had been wanting to stop since we pass it every time we make a trek to New Mexico. I am glad we were able to make the stop this time and enjoy this bit of history.
At Home.
Shared as part of the Homeschool Review Crew Field Trip Inspiration round-up.
Tagged: field trips, history, Middle School
At Home 
I’ve only read about these heroes. I’d enjoy touring this museum.
Yes! Reading is great but the museum kind of brought it to life for us all, I think.
that would have been neat to browse through. Small museums are often the best as they don’t take too much time and provide good history too. 🙂
I had wanted to visit it for years so it was a joy to finally stop and see it.
This looks like fun! We are _such_ an airplane family…the next time we’re in the area, we’ll have to find it!
Visiting from GypsyRoadSchool.blogspot.com
Definitely. I think they are working on some expansions, as well, so when you manage by that way, it might have even more.
What a neat museum! I’m not big on WWII stuff in general, but honoring the WASPs would interest me. WTG Ladies!!
It is fun to find and explore this little museums that are a bit different than the norm and the WASPs were definitely that!
That sounds like a very interesting museum. I am amazed at just how much woman did during WW2. I mean that in a good way. I love seeing things from the past. I think it’s a great way to honor the women of WW2. Will have to write this down and if we ever get that way. It’s something I know I would like to see and I think my kids too. My daughter is all of a sudden interested in Amelia Earhart.
Yep – the women were pretty amazing and, like you, I enjoy learning about it.
[…] amazing and the women are quite inspiring. They definitely faced things head-on! Want to read about our visit to the museum? We’d love to share it with […]
[…] visit to the WASP Museum does not take too long but it is very interesting. You can see more of our visit in this post I shared with you a couple of years ago. I also shared a couple of books with you […]