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Women Pilots in World War II

            The Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) in England had been using female pilots since January 1940, and was starting to also train new pilots. The American women who flew in the ATA were the first American women to fly military aircraft.  They flew the Royal Air Force's frontline aircraft non-combat roles, but in combat-like conditions. Most of these women served in the ATA during the war. Only three members returned to the U.S. to participate in the WASP program.

            The Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) went into operation on September 10, 1942.  Soon, the Air Transport Command began using women to transfer military planes from factory to airfields thus freeing male pilots for combat service and duties.

            The Women’s Flying Training Detachment (WFTD) was established separately on September 15, 1942 for the same purposes as the WAFS and trained in 23 types of aircraft at Houston’s Municipal Airport (now Hobby Airport). 

            The WAFS and the WFTD mere merged on August 5, 1943 to create the Women Air force Service Pilots (WASP) under the direction of the US Army Air Forces.  Over 25,000 women applied; however, only 1,074 were accepted into the WASPs. The accepted women all had prior experience and airman certificates. Of those accepted, the majority were white; aside from white women, the WASP had two Mexican American women, two Chinese American women and one Native American woman.  Due to the existing climate of racial discrimination, the only African American applicant was asked to withdraw her application.  They were required to complete the same primary, basic, and advanced training courses as male Army Air Corps pilots and many of them went on to specialized flight training.   The WAFS each had an average of about 1,400 flying hours and a commercial pilot rating.  They received 30 days of orientation to learn Army paperwork and to fly by military regulations.

The WASP was ordered to be disbanded by December 7, 1944 due to an excess of pilot and pilot candidates.  At the conclusion of the program, 915 women pilots were on duty and 38 had died.

The Pacific Northwest boasts beautiful scenery and a mild climate although the area gets more rain than we are used to in Southern California which is why it is so green.  We strayed away from the Embassy Suites this year and stayed at the aptly named River’s Edge Hotel and Spa on the Willamette River.  We had the roomiest suite thus far with balconies overlooking the river.  Our group was much smaller this year but we still had a wonderful time being together and touring Portland.

     Unfortunately, the River Gorge/Falls tour was cancelled due to the active fire in the Columbia Gorge area and sadder yet were the people that were affected with evacuations, loss of homes, and loss of jobs due to closed businesses.  Fortunately, the rains came during our week in Portland so that was a good thing as far as helping to control the fire.  Luckily, the smoke from the fire did not come our way during our stay and the rain did not hinder us.  

(4) Squadron Members were in attendance with a total of (35) including family and friends.  For those of you who were unable to be present at this year’s Reunion, you were definitely missed!  We look forward to you rejoining us next year.

It is always a joyous occasion when the time comes to meet up at the Reunion.

Just look at these happy faces! 

Portland Tours

On day 1 we loaded the bus & went on a city tour with a narration of the neighborhoods, downtown and stops at the International Rose Test Garden, Mt Tabor Park (an extinct volcano) and the Kennedy School.  The 1915 elementary school with its exceptionally beautiful architecture and artwork was renovated in 1997 for multi-use including lodging, pool, restaurant, bar, brewery, theatre, community center, and event space.  Our bonus stop was donuts!     

Day 2 was a luncheon cruise on the Portland Spirit sailing the Willamette River.  Great food & beautiful scenery.

The Banquet……The Traditional Grand Finale  

Our evening consisted of Happy Hour, dinner, and dancing to a DJ with 40’s music and more modern.

Scuttlebutt

Wendell Bell (106) – 1) My wife and I celebrated our 70^th anniversary of our wedding on June 15, 2017.  2) My 2 volumes, “Foundations of Futures Studies”, have been translated into Korean and published in South Korea.

Miriam Stephens, widow of Jerrel (102) – I had plans for a clever little note for this page, but ‘the best laid plans’ really went their own ways this time.  My son, Jeff, and his wife Cathy, and their working children, Christine and Jeremy, decided I should no longer live alone, so I bought a mobile home and it was moved to their one acre property in Le Grand (California), which is about 15 miles S.E. of Merced.  We all worked on remodeling it, even now.  I move more slowly after several bad falls, and in April my eyes began to dim and one is almost completely gone.  I dod not typing during the last three months, and now have forgotten how to use the computer as I am forgetting so many other things.  I have not forgotten friends and relatives however, so Cathy volunteered to add this to the almost everything else she does for me.  My part-Siamese cat, Me-Me, is my continuous companion as usual and has become expert at hiding under the bed when she hears a step on the ramp to the door.  Please keep in touch if you can.  Now that I am 95 there aren’t many of us left.  Love from Miriam Stephens

Address:  13482 Jefferson Street, Le Grand, CA 95333-9769 | Phone:  209-722-1680

Cindy Meyer, daughter of Bernhard Meyer III (106) – I don't have a story from my dad, Bernhard Meyer III (Ben), just some updates.  His wife, my mother, Helen Meyer passed away unexpectedly  on February 26, 2017.  She always looked forward to the reunions and always regretted choosing not to go to the last one dad was physically able to attend.  She enjoyed meeting with everyone reunion after reunion and had developed some good friends among the wives.  If any of you are out there, I would love to hear from you.*  Unfortunately, I cannot find any contact information, but I am still searching.  Bernhard Meyer III , Ben, my dad is still alive and healthy at 92.  Unfortunately he has been battling Alzheimer's for over 12 years and last summer we had to move him to a secure facility.  But he still knows me and looks forward to my visits.  I get there as often as I can, but I am not close so it is limited to a couple of times a week.  Dad can still read and I will bring him the newsletter along with some of his wonderful photographs.  He will be delighted to see it. 

* Cindy’s email:  enviro-clear@msn.com

Hal Fisher (106) – I am 92 and still with my ball club and doing pretty good.  Thanks for everything.

Eileen Fisher, widow of Edward Keeler (102) – Thank you for your dedection to the lewsletter.  It is nice to get any news.  Sorry I cannot make the Reunion.

Kenneth A. DeGennaro, son of Albert A. DeGennaro (106) – It is with great sadness that I’m writing to inform the members of the 106/102/14 Association of my father’s passing, LCDR Albert A. “Al” DeGennaro, on December 17, 2016 at the age of 95.  My dad was immensely proud of serving his country and his Navy during a career that spanned in excess of 26 years, he was particularly proud to have served as a US Naval Aviator.  He was an inspiration to all of his family, we miss him dearly.

Vivian Voiss, widow of Kenneth H. Voiss (102) – I’m sorry to notify you that my dear husband, Kenneth Voiss, passed away June 12,  2016 from congestive heart failure.  We always enjoyed the reunions we attended over the years and a thank you to all who made them a success.

Barbara Dresner, widow of Allan Dresner (102) – I would love to have my copies of this for my 4 sons – oldest is almost 70!!!  I am doing well and in my own home, youngest son living with me.  I’m 92 and do yoga, have 2 rescue cats.  I’m from PA (lives in DC), recruited from college (2^nd year) and worked for OSRD (atom bomb) – Manhatten Project.  I knew all the great physicists – Dr. Oppenheimer (well) and Gen. D. Eisenhower.  He asked me out to dinner 2 times and I said “no”.  He thought he was God, but he saved our country!  Thank you so much for the newsletter.  You can’t begin to know how much it means to me.  Allan had his last flight in a glider at 84.  I miss him – a wonderful husband and father.  I have 4 sons, 2 grandchildren and 3 greats.  I worked for Lord and Taylor.  I have a lot more!

Tidbits

j The Manhattan Project was a research and development undertaking during World War II that produced the first nuclear weapons. It was led by the United States with the support of the United Kingdom and Canada. From 1942 to 1946, the project was under the direction of Major General Leslie Groves of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Nuclear physicist Robert Oppenheimer was the director of the Los Alamos Laboratory that designed the actual bombs. The Army component of the project was designated the Manhattan District; "Manhattan" gradually superseded the official codename, Development of Substitute Materials, for the entire project. Along the way, the project absorbed its earlier British counterpart, Tube Alloys. The Manhattan Project began modestly in 1939, but grew to employ more than 130,000 people and cost nearly US $2 billion. Over 90% of the cost was for building factories and to produce fissile material, with less than 10% for development and production of the weapons. Research and production took place at more than 30 sites across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

k The battle of Okinawa (codenamed Operation Iceburg), which lasted April 1^st to June 21, 1945, was the last major battle of World War II.  Fought on the island of Okinawa, it was part of an offensive leading up to the invasion of the main islands of Japan and included the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War. It was aborted when the Japanese surrendered in August, 1945.  Counting civilians, more than 200,000 Japanese died during the Battle of Okinawa.  About 15,900 U.S. soldiers were killed.

Please send in your personal story or scuttlebutt to help keep this newsletter going!

SQUADRON WEBSITES

                        http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/          VPB-106 & VPB-102/14

    https://members.tripod.com/~vpb_102                        VPB-102/14 

http://www.vpb106.com                                                 VPB-10     

http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/archive/        VB-106     

                        Facebook                                                                          VB-106 Wolverators       

                      Facebook                                                      Navy Squadrons 106/102/14 Assn

   Harold Warnimont’s (102) movie film during his tour is on You Tube

        VP/VPB-102 Video, From Crew #9, July 44- May 45, HW ...

Also, check out these websites for information on our squadrons and members:

www.VPNavy.org                 www.NavyLog.org

Happy Thanksgiving ! ! !

May your Thanksgiving be spent with the ones you care most about

Includes lots of laughter

And a good feast!