The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II were honored with the Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony today in Emancipation Hall at the Capitol Visitor Center.  Both surviving members of the WASP, as well as representatives of deceased members of the organization, participated in the ceremony.  The medal, presented by the Congressional leadership, honors WASP members for their pioneering military service that led to reform in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The WASPs served between 1942 and 1944, ferrying aircraft between U.S. bases, testing fighter planes and towing targets for the men to practice shooting at with live ammunition. They flew more than 60,000,000 miles in every type of aircraft flown by the Army Air Corps, including the B-26 bomber – also known as the “widow maker” – and the B-29 Superfortress. Thirty-eight of them died while serving their country.

Despite their service, the women had to pay their own way to Sweetwater, Texas, for training at Avenger Field. They set up collections to help bury fallen female pilots, who – because they were considered civilians – were not given military honors. And, as the war was ending, they were forced to pay their own bus fare home. When the program was disbanded in 1944, the women’s records were classified and sealed, denying them recognition for their service.

The 1,074 WASPs were never granted military rank, never flew in combat and were denied veterans benefits until 1977. Only 300 of these female pilots survive today.

The obverse (heads side) of the WASP Congressional Gold Medal was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill.  The design depicts the portrait of a WASP with three others in the foreground in period uniforms with an airborne AT-6 in the background.  Inscriptions on the obverse are WOMEN AIRFORCE SERVICE PILOTS and 1942-1944.

The medal’s reverse (tails side) was designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart.  The design features the three aircraft that the WASPs flew during their training: the AT-6, B-26 and P-51.  The WASP wings are depicted at the base of the design.  Inscriptions on the reverse are THE FIRST WOMEN IN HISTORY TO FLY AMERICAN MILITARY AIRCRAFT, ACT OF CONGRESS and 2009.

Related posts:

1. Dr. DeBakey to Receive Congressional Gold Medal Struck by the United States Mint
2. Bronze Duplicates of Norman Borlaug Congressional Gold Medal Available July 17 from the United States Mint
3. Former U.S. Senator Edward William Brooke III Receives Congressional Gold Medal
4. Bronze Duplicates of the Dalai Lama Congressional Gold Medal Available October 17 from the United States Mint
5. Gold Medal Deserved for Numismatic Role
6. $165,000 for Perry’s Gold Medal
7. Unusual Items : 1925 Norse American Medal in Gold
8. A Gold Medal Of The Moscow Triumphal Arch 1838
9. Andrew Jackson’s Liberty First Spouse Gold Coin and Medal Available August 28
10. Extremely Rare Erie Canal Completion Medal in Gold to be Auctioned by Heritage!