Arizonan Women Airforce Service Pilots – WASP
Inscription.
Commemorative Air Force
Arizona Military Aviation
Walk of Honor
Proudly Recognizes
Arizonan Women Airforce Service Pilots – WASP
1942 — 1944
“We live in the wind and sand … and our eyes are on the stars!”
The WASP was formed to ferry aircraft, tow gunnery practice targets and test aircraft in the U.S. while thousands of men were sent into combat overseas. Dozens of WASP flew nearly every AAF aircraft type from six bases in Arizona. The patriotic sacrifice, service and success of the WASP, of which many Arizonans were a part, directly contributed to military aviation. Many died in the line of duty, many faced continuing prejudice and yet went on to ferry over 50% of the combat aircraft used in WWII. This is only one of their many feats contributing to victory in Europe and the Pacific and current policies enabling women to serve as aviators in the U.S. military.
Erected 2015.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II • Women. In addition, it is included in the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) series list.
Location. 33° 27.154′ N, 111° 44.129′ W. Marker is in Mesa, Arizona, in Maricopa County. Memorial is at the intersection of N. Greenfield Road and E. McKellips Road, on the right when traveling north on N. Greenfield Road. Located at the Commemorative Air Force Museum at Falcon Field Airport. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2017 N Greenfield Road, Mesa AZ 85215, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lt. Frank Luke, Jr. (here, next to this marker); Major Frederick E. Ferguson (here, next to this marker); Arizonan Tuskegee Airmen (here, next to this marker); BGen. Joseph J. Foss (here, next to this marker); Sergei I. Sikorsky (here, next to this marker); Dr. S. Harry Robertson III (here, next to this marker); Rear Admiral Walter Lewis Chatham, USN (Ret) (here, next to this marker); MGen Barry Morris Goldwater, USAFR (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mesa.
Photographs by Michael Herrick, April 5, 2017
Source: The Historical Marker Database.