Eileen Roach Kesti
May 10, 1920 – September 4, 2001
Class: 43-W-4
Dates: February 16, 1943-August 7, 1943
Training Location: Avenger Field (Sweetwater, Tex.) and Houston Municipal Airport (Tex.)
Number of Trainees: 152 trainees, 112 graduates
On February 16, 1943, 76 trainees, half of the class of 43-W-4 entered training at Houston, Texas. The other half reported to Sweetwater, Texas. On May 18, the Houston trainees flew to Sweetwater to complete their training and join the rest of their class.
Assigned Bases: Long Beach Army Air Base (Calif.) and Camp Davis Army Air Field (N.C.)
Planes flown: A-25
“We get a thrill every time we leave the ground.”
Eileen Roach Kesti received her training at the Houston airport as a Woman’s Flying Training Detachment trainee.Although she started at Houston as a WFTD trainee she graduated August 7, 1943 as a Women Air Force Service Pilot.I have letters that my mom, Eileen, wrote home to family members where she describes the move from the Houston airport to Sweetwater.The women of class 43 W 4 flew the planes over to Sweetwater when they were transferred. Mom co-piloted a PT 19A with her friend and fellow WASP Virginia Hill on April 5, 1943. Mom piloted the plane from Houston, TX to Austin, TX then Virginia flew the final leg. Flight time was 2hrs 5min. See flight record below.
These WASP flying goggles, dog tags and Congressional Gold Medal are on loan to the museum by the family of Eileen Roach Kesti, who served as a WASP in World War II. “Not Just a Footnote: Women Who Shaped Hood River History” will run through June. The History Museum of Hood River County is located at 300 E. Port Marina Drive and is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.hoodriverhistorymuseum.org.
Sources:
Carla J. Kesti, daughter of WASP Eileen Roach Kesti, Carla J. Kesti
