445th AES commander reflects on escorting WASP to ceremony

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  • By 445th Airlift Wing
  • Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  More than 300 former Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) attended a ceremony March 10 on Capitol Hill to receive the Congressional Gold Medal for service to their country during World War II.

Lt. Col. Lin Stokes-Crowe, 445th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron Commander, was an escort for one of the WASP.

"The WASP are a group of women committed to making life better. They gave time, money, and the lives of 38 of their members in service to the United States. Most of them do not see themselves as pioneers--they were doing what needed to be done. They loved to fly, they had the skills and they were willing to get the job done. If it were not for them, I would not be in the position in the military I am today," Colonel Stokes-Crowe said.

Thirty-eight WASP were killed in service in World War II. But they were long considered civilians, not members of the military, and thus were not entitled to the pay and benefits given to men.

The WASP were only afforded veteran status in 1977 after a long fight. It's estimated that about 300 of the more than 1,000 WASPs are still alive.