If you’ve been hanging around here lately, you’ll know our beloved sweet romance series, “Petticoats & Patriots,” is in full swing.
While I helped my sister filly, Shanna Hatfield, develop the series, she gets full credit, and it was her idea to name our heroines off real-life patriots. We decided to include a Patriot Page with every book and include a brief biography of the patriot we had chosen. We came up with a list of names and time periods from our country’s birth in 1776 all the way up to modern day and invited the fillies to choose.
As soon as I saw Jacqueline Cochran’s name on the list, I knew I had my patriot. Not only have I always loved the name, I was fascinated that she was a female pilot, something I’d never written before. Even better, her patriotism took root in the 1940s–which worked out perfectly because the six books before mine were set in the late 1700s and mid-1800s. We definitely needed to bump up the locket’s journey to the 20th century!
Let me tell you a bit about her and how she proved to be inspiration for my heroine, Jackie Sinclair.
In 1942, Nancy Harkness Love formed and commanded a group of experienced women pilots who ferried military planes. Jacqueline Cochran was appointed to lead their flight training, and in August, 1943, when World War II was raging, the two organizations merged into the Women Airforce Service Pilots, more commonly known as WASP. Cochran served as director.
She was certainly qualified, having earned a reputation as one of America’s most accomplished aviators and a pioneering woman in flight, regaled for her speed, skill, and courage in flying. She was the first woman to break the sound barrier and set numerous aviation records for altitude, distance, and speed.
During World War II, with the WASP organization under her belt, she was determined to prove that women could serve their country in the cockpit. She insisted on strict training, standards, and discipline, hoping their performance would prove women belonged in military aviation instead of being ranked as civilian employees.
More than 25,000 women applied to serve as WASP, but only about 1,830 were accepted for training, and of those, just 1,074 earned their wings. These female pilots flew a whopping 60 million miles during the war in almost every kind of military aircraft. They ferried planes, transported personnel, towed targets for live-fire training, and performed other domestic flying duties.
Some even trained male pilots to fly particular aircraft. Interestingly, one of the main purposes of the WASP program was to take over essential flying jobs so that 1,100 male pilots could be sent overseas for combat duty.
But even though these women couldn’t serve in the military, their work proved dangerous stateside. As I mentioned before, they towed targets for live-fire training, which meant male gunners fired live ammunition at targets behind their planes. Ferrying unfamiliar aircraft could also be risky, especially in bad weather or with mechanical problems.
Thirty-eight WASP gave their lives in service to their country. Because they were classified as civilians, those who died did not receive the same military honors or benefits at the time. Their families often had to pay to bring their daughter’s body home.
In 1944, Jacqueline supported a bill introduced in Congress, H.R. 4219, designed to give the WASP full military status, including benefits such as medical care, insurance, hospitalization, and burial rights. The bill failed in the House on June 21, 1944.
The WASP program was disbanded six months later, less than a year before World War II ended. Despite their skills and service, and all the lobbying Jacqueline did on their behalf, they were still denied veteran status and benefits. What a shame!
They finally received veteran recognition in 1977, more than three decades later. In 2009, they were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
Former WASPs or WASP-inspired pilots lived in a world that praised women for wartime service, then expected many of them to step aside afterward.
In my book, THE SKY BETWEEN US, #7 in the Petticoats & Patriots series, Jackie Sinclair refuses to give up flying, and she was so much fun to write. Especially when she meets Beckett Archer, an officer in the United States Army during the Korean War. Except she doesn’t really “meet” him until several years later, when he’s a cowboy in the sandhills of Nebraska, of all places, and since she’d all but presumed him dead in Korea, you can only imagine how her world turns upside down when she learns he is very much alive.
She’s lived with his name for three years. He’s never known hers. Until they meet.
Jackie Sinclair is good at what she does–flying airplanes during the Korean War. But when she makes a mistake that will haunt her forever, she’s determined to build a new life of peace and freedom in Nebraska. Except she comes face-to-face with Beckett J. Archer, the soldier she had failed so terribly, and her hopes for a new future threaten to fall apart.
Beck has returned to heal at the one place that means more to him than anything else–his father’s ranch. The memories of war have left their mark, but the brave and beautiful woman who lands in his life–literally–stirs up feelings he never expects, especially when an old family legacy threatens to drive them apart.
As trouble closes in from every side, Beck and Jackie are drawn together by danger, duty, and a growing love neither of them can deny.
Coming July 28th!
Had you heard of the WASP before, or is their story new to you?
Would you have had the courage to fly a plane in the 1930s and 1940s when female pilots were both admired and criticized?
When was a time you had to show real courage?
I’ve heard of WASP before and have read biographical fiction about some of the women.
Testifying before the State Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee took courage.
Oh, my gosh, Denise. I can only imagine how much courage that took. And the prep beforehand. My knees would be shaking to speak before such an important committee. Bravo to you!
I’d heard of the WASPs but knew little to nothing of their history, nor had I heard of Jacqueline Cochran.
Thanks for sharing about your novel “The Sky Between Us” and may it be a huge success!
Thank you for your good wishes, Mary – and for learning something – and someone – new today!
I have heard of WASP before, I don’t know what I would have done.
I agree it would be hard to know until you are in that time and situation, but patriotism was running high back then. I suppose if a young woman wasn’t ready for marriage and family yet, and wanted some adventure and excitement, the WASP would be a great opportunity.
I have heard of WASP before. I’m 99.9% sure I would NOT have gone on those planes!! I don’t mind flying, but I don’t want to be at the controls, and especially not flying with bombs! I’m not that brave!
I know right, Trudy? It just makes my admiration for these women that much stronger!
Hi Pam! Yes I’ve heard of the women of WASP. And I enjoyed being reminded again about their courage and bravery. The most courageous battle I have fought was against breast cancer. Five years now – cancer free! I look forward to reading your story. Thank you to all the authors who participated in this series. I have enjoyed reading them.
Oh, Kathy! What a great example of needing courage. I remember when you were going through your cancer–I would have been terrified, but five years! How absolutely wonderful. Your courage paid off!!! I’m so happy for you. God is good!
I have heard of them. I would never be a pilot though. It is just not me. There have been times in my life needing courage involving family issues.
It definitely takes a certain type of person to fly a plane back then, when aircraft were still new. And yes, family issues can certainly be trying, but we have to get through them, no matter what.
I had not heard about Wasp. Thank you for the article it was interesting and the book sounds great. I would not want to fly planes.
I’m glad you learned something new today, Linda. The WASP were an amazing group of women who deserved more recognition and appreciation than what they got at the time.
Informative article. This retired educator was familiar with WASP and female pilots. My 18 year old grandson started flying at 14 and received his pilot’s license at 16. As a high school graduate he joined the Michigan Air Force Reserve! He told his sister Maddie – girls can’t be pilots. She did her 3. Grade wax museum report on Amelia Earhart. I am enjoying the series with all the interesting background info on lesser known patriots. Your book is on preorder.
I didn’t know you’d been a teacher, Renate! Oh, my gosh – your grandson got his pilot’s license at 16????? WOW!!! He must’ve impressed alot of people and must be so smart – and brave!!!
Thank you so much for preordering SKY. I’m so excited for the book to come out. 🙂
Congratulations, Pam! This looks really good. What a wonderful real live patriot to be your heroine! I’ve always admired women who serve and believe they don’t do it lightly. They have a true calling. I’ve preordered mine. Wishing you a ton of success, Filly Sister. 🙂
Thank you, sweet Linda, and THANK YOU for your loving support for this series by helping us spread the word. That means so much to all of us–and we’ll do it for you if we get the chance.
Yes heard of the WASP before and NO to flying a plane – severe fear of heights (my Mom would pass out!)
Oh, I know the fear is real, Teresa. Your poor mom!!
Yes, I have heard about them. No, I wouldn’t have the courage. I was so glad when their service was finally acknowledged and they received recognition for their service.
Me, too, Barbara, but I have no idea why it took so long. Why in the world would those politicians and/or the military think those women weren’t deserving? Sheesh!
I had heard of WASPS and knew it was during world war ll, but beyond that nothing. That would have not been something I would choose as I am afraid of heights.
You are not alone in that fear, karijean!
Mom was a WASP, earning her wings with the third class that graduated (43-W-3). I’m not sure if that is she in your photo (top row, second from right) although I do have a few other shots of her with Jackie and others. At one point she acquired a small cocker spaniel she named “Hap,” after Gen. Hap Arnold, who was in charge of the program from the military end. (Hap the dog flew with her until finding a permanent home in Mexico City with my aunt.) Before the U.S. joined the Allied war effort, Mom flew for Piper Aircraft, delivering planes (including bombers according to one newspaper article that suggested she was the first woman to do so) before Jackie recruited her to become a WASP. So much more to tell, but don’t want to bore you–obviously I am terrifically proud of her!
Oh, Elissa!!! What a GREAT story! Gosh, you could write your own blog, and I’m absolutely blown away that your mom knew Jacqueline Cochran and was recruited by her. And you think that’s her in the picture with the recruits? That’s a pretty famous picture – and I didn’t even mention Hap Arnold (so cute she named her dog off him!) due to space but boy, you’ve just made all my research so REAL.
Wow, just wow! (And I would not have been bored at all!)
Thank you for sharing that with us about your brave and amazing mom!
Hi Pam, Congratulations, your book sounds like a great read! Yes, I have heard of the WASPS and I try admire them, I would not have the courage to be one.
It definitely took an adventure-spirited kind of woman to be one, and I was amazed that more than 25,000 women tried!
This spring my daughter arranged for our family to watch live streaming of an off Broadway play about this group of brave women. It was written by a woman Navy or Airforce pilot who was friends with her son and daughter in high school. Now I am trying to remember the name of it. The emphasis was on the attempts to receive full military recognition. It was very well done. It really is a shame that it took Congress so long to give these women the recognition and benefits they deserved.
I’d love to know the name of that film if you think of it, Alice. It truly was a shame about the lack of recognition – was it male chauvinism? Lack of trust? Disagreement that women were flying?
We’ll never know, but I’m glad the politicians got their act together and did the right thing!
I am familiar with WASP and how they did not receive the recognition they deserved. I didn’t know all the details that you included in your post but loved learning more about them. They were indeed very brave. I don’t believe I would have been brave enough to do that but, that would have been when I was a lot younger and not as afraid. Can’t wait to read this series. Thank you
I think you nailed it, Sarah – being younger had a lot to do with it. They haven’t developed the worries and concerns that those of us who have lived many more years have!
I have read several novels that featured these brave women.
I’ve seen several movies about them, too, Rhonda.
I have been interested in the WASPS and the entrance of women into the military flying corps. Jacqueline Cochran is a fascinating woman: talented, persistent, forceful. Women in the flying units of our armed services owe much to her. It is criminal that their many contributions to the fighting of WWII were diminished and ignored. Much they did took as much or more bravery as the men who flew into battle. I would like to think I would have joined their ranks during that time.
As for being brave, nothing spectacular. I was a shy student both in high school and in college. I lived at home during college. The only time I lived away from home, was for the most part during student teaching. I joined the Peace Corps my senior year in college and left for my assignment less than a month after graduation. From a small country town in the Northeast to a Southeast Asian country on the other side of the world where everything was different. The worst part of it was having to deliver speech to two combined school districts within a month of getting to my assignment. I managed to not have to take public speaking in college and was a nervous wreck. The phrase about being scared and having your knees knocking, all very true.
Oh, all well said, Pat!! And truly, you are one of the most adventurous people I know. Leaving for the Peace Corps when you’d led a sheltered life, having not lived on your own, and then to travel across the world–well, I couldn’t have done that! LOL. Sympathies on that speech, too. My voice would shake right along with my knees. Ha!
Thx for stopping by, as always.