Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame

Submitted by:

LaVone Kay

Location:

Online at the PIMA Air and Space Museum

Ruth Helm and Dawn Seymour induction into the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame

The 1993 induction of Ruth Helm and Dawn Seymour into the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame pays tribute to their aviation skills and their service to our country during WWII. As WASPs, their dual-induction is intended to also symbolically recognize all their WASP sisters who served our nation using their piloting skills during the war.

Note: Nearly 200 WASP, including Ruth Helm and Dawn Seymour, were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. It is the highest honor for civilians.

Past Honorees awarded: In 2001 the Navajo Code Talkers and in 2007 the Tuskegee Airmen

Learn more about Ruth Helm and Dawn Seymour in WASP PROFILES!

See these Virtual Museum posts! WASP Congressional Gold Medal and the Tuskegee Airmen Congressional Gold Medal

Schedule for Tuskegee Airmen
July 24 – 29, 2023 Location at KidVenture (behind the museum) *All Airmen may not be at the exhibit at these times due to speaking engagements MONDAY July 24 LOCATION 9:00 – 3:00 Lt Col George Hardy at Exhibit 1:00 – 3:00 Lt Col George Hardy at Exhibit TUESDAY July 25 LOCATION 9:00 –…
May 23, 2023
Reba Alexander, WWII Parachute Rigger
By Deidre McGee “I will always look up to my great Aunt Reba as my role model!”, stated Jade Roberson with confidence and enthusiasm. Great Niece, Jade is the young bi-racial great descendant of Reba Alexander. During our conversation, Jade demonstrated an unfettered pride and passion of a bright young girl beginning her journey into…
December 6, 2022
Fair Winds, Brigadier General McGee!
Brigadier General Charles McGee, a decorated military pilot and Tuskegee Airman, died January 16, 2022. He was 102. On Sunday morning, McGee died in his sleep, “He had his right hand over his heart and was smiling serenely,” his youngest daughter, Yvonne McGee, said in a statement. Brig Gen McGee was a long-time supporter of…
January 18, 2022
Congressional Gold Medal
There seems to be confusion when speaking of the Congressional Gold Medal. Many think it is an individual award but according to Public Law 109–213, the Congressional Gold Medal awarded by Congress shows an act to award collectively a Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of a group in recognition of their unique military record, which…
January 11, 2022
Tow targets
Another important mission of the WASP was serving on tow target squadrons. The pilots, including Laurine Nielson, Viola Thompson, Mary Clifford, and Lydia Linder, would fly planes with canvas targets attached to the back for male students to practice gunnery for combat, firing ammunition at the targets. In the training Division, WASP would tow targets…
December 28, 2021
WASP trained Mexican Squadron 201 and other fighter pilots in Army Air Corps
Heroic women these intrepid civilian volunteers piloted aircraft in dangerous aerial gunnery practice and more! Laredo Army Air Field 100 miles downriver from Eagle Pass, Texas, had an aerial gunnery school and a ground gunnery range. At the Laredo field the WASP helped train pilots in the same tow-target practice as these women did at…
December 16, 2021