Female aviators get long-overdue recognition

The Women Airforce Service Pilots, the first females in history to fly American warplanes, were awarded a Congressional Gold Medal for breaking barriers during World War II, when they were called upon to fill in on the home front for male pilots serving overseas.

The women carried out domestic military missions such as flying warplanes from factories to military bases or towing targets through the air for shooting practice.

They were ill-treated compared with male pilots. The women paid their own ways to training and found their own ways home when the program ended. When dozens died on the job, the others passed the hat to pay for funerals because the military wouldn't help.

The military didn't acknowledge the women as veterans until 1979, more than 30 years after their service ended.

One former WASP from Tucson, Sylvia Clayton, flew or co-piloted six different fighters and bombers, from the P-51 Mustang to the B-24 Liberator.

Clayton, now 90, had planned to attend the medal ceremony in Washington, D.C., but fell ill and was unable to make the trip, said Kay Warren, executive director of the Fountains at La Cholla, a northwest-side retirement community where Clayton lives.

"We're sad she couldn't make it, but we are so thrilled to see her getting this recognition," Warren said.

Three other local women - Jane Carter and Ruth Helm of Tucson, and Edith Smith of Green Valley - also were recognized for their service as WASPs. Their ages weren't immediately available.

About 300 of the 1,000 or so women in the program are still alive. Of those, about 200 attended the medal ceremony.

U.S. Rep Gabrielle Giffords of Tucson called the gold medal - the highest civilian award given by Congress - "an honor that is long overdue.

"These women made unbelievable sacrifices for the opportunity to serve our country," Giffords said in a news release.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Contact reporter Carol Ann Alaimo at calaimo@azstarnet.com or at 573-4138.