During the Second World War, women pilots were given the opportunity to fly military aircraft for the first time in history. In the United States, famed aviatrix Jacqueline Cochran formed the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program, where over one thousand women flyers ferried aircraft from factories to airbases throughout the United States and Canada from 1942 to 1944. The WASP operated from 110 facilities and flew more than sixty million miles in seventy-eight different types of aircraft, from the smallest trainers to the fastest fighters and the largest bombers. The WASP performed every duty inside the cockpit as their male counterparts, except combat, and thirty-eight women pilots gave their lives in the service of their country. Yet, notwithstanding their outward appearance as official members of the U.S. Army Air Forces, the WASP were considered civil servants during the war. Despite a highly publicized attempt to militarize in 1944, the women pilots would not be granted veteran status until 1977. In the Soviet Union, Marina Raskova, Russia?s ?Amelia Earhart,? famous for her historic Far East flight in 1938, formed the USSR?s first all-female aviation regiments that flew combat missions along the Eastern Front. A little over one thousand women flew a combined total of more than thirty thousand combat sorties, producing at least thirty Heroes of the Soviet Union. Included in their ranks were at least two fighter aces. More than fifty women pilots are believed to have been killed in action. Sharing both patriotism and a mutual love of aviation, these pioneering women flyers faced similar obstacles while challenging assumptions of male supremacy in wartime culture. Despite experiencing discrimination from male aircrews during the war, these intrepid airwomen ultimately earned their respect. The pilots? exploits and their courageous story, told so convincingly here, continue to inspire future generations of women in aviation. AUTHOR: Amy Goodpaster Strebe is a journalist and historian. She is the author of Desert Dogs: The Marines of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2004). Strebe holds a master?s degree in history from San Jose State University. She has written extensively on the U.S. armed forces and is one of the leading experts on the women military pilots of World War II. REVIEWS: ?Before reading Flying for Her Country, I never imagined that the Russian women military pilots of WWII had the same values (honor, integrity, courage, commitment, faith, patriotism, service, and sacrifice) as America?s WWII women pilots. This fascinating book portrays a significant chapter in history that is not found in most history books. It is educational, motivational, and inspirational as it chronicles the history of how these young women military pilots proved that, no matter the challenge, no matter your nationality, and no matter how difficult the mission, you can do anything, if it?s the right thing to do and you put your mind to it. Flying for Her Country corroborates what I have known since my early childhood, ?With God?s help, nothing is impossible.?? -- Deanie Bishop Parrish, WASP (44-W-4), associate director, Wings Across America ?Amy Goodpaster Strebe has done an outstanding job researching and writing about the invaluable contributions made by women pilots in the Second World War. As pioneers in military aviation, the WASP proved to the world that they were indeed capable of flying both fighter and bomber aircraft. In the case of the Soviet women aviators who saw combat along the Eastern Front, their indomitable spirit and heroism in battle have made them legendary. A book depicting the combined achievements of these intrepid military airwomen is long overdue. I highly recommend it.? -- Dr. Peggy Chabrian, president and founder, Women in Aviation, International ?Strebe?s book offers a beautifully written, well-researched account of a little known but fascinating aspect of World War II. Her story of these women aviators in the U.S. and USSR is both dramatic and moving. Their courage is truly remarkable. Equally amazing is the way they were treated by their respective governments because of their gender. Strebe?s book is not to be missed by anyone interested in women?s history and military history.? -- Dr. Mary Pickering, professor of history, San Jose State University ?I really enjoyed the book. It tells the true story of how women were involved in aviation during the war.? -- Gen. Chuck Yeager, General Chuck Yeager Foundation, www.chuckyeager.com ?Amy Goodpaster Strebe?s book is excellent . . . meticulously researched, well-written, and convincingly argued and documented.? -- Air & Space 20 b/w photos
