User:Jpatros/Women Auxilary Ferrying Squadron

Quotes
"Do not undervalue your abilities. You have ability that you haven't had a chance to use.” -Florene Miller Watson, WAFS

"You and more than 900 of your sisters have shown that you can fly wingtip to wingtip with your bothers. If ever there was any doubt in anyone's mind that women can become skillful pilots, the WASP have dispelled that doubt. I want to stress how valuable I believe the	whole WASP program has been for the country. . .We . . .know that you can handle our latest fighters, our heaviest bombers; we. . . know that you are capable of ferrying, target towing, flying training, test flying, and the countless other activities which you have proved you can do. So, on this last graduation day, I salute you and all WASP. We of the Army Air Force are proud of you, we will never forget our debt to you. -Hap Arnold, Commanding General, USAF (Last Graduation of WASP, 1944)

"I have the utmost respect for all members of the Women's Air Force Pilots. They were hard working, dedicated pilots who served our Country well, playing an important part during the war." -Chuck Yeager, Brig. Gen., USAF, Ret. March 26, 1997

"I am proud to recognize the contribution the WASP made to World War II. They set the stage for today's women to fly and fight with their spirit and enthusiasm. These heroines...heard the call and responded with the skills and dedication that gave out country the boost it needed to win World War II." Sheila Widnall, Secretary of the Air Force....May 30, 1994

Facts
•	The Women Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron was founded by Nancy Harkness Love in October 28, 1941.

•	Nancy Love had submitted a proposal to General H. H. Arnold twice, suggesting formation of a group of women pilots with over 1,000 hrs. flying time and at least a 200hp rating to take over ferrying jobs from male pilots, before Arnold became desperate for pilots and her third submission was accepted on Oct. 28th.

•      The WAFS never numbered more than 28 at a time.

•	the WAFS' main job was to ferry planes in between factories and Army Air Force installations. .

•	Although these missions were called "non-combat", they were extremely dangerous.

•	Any women in such organizations as the WAFS, WACs, WAVES, or WASPs (Women Airforce Service Pilots), if they died in service, were not legally veterans. Consequently, their families would pay for their funerals and body shipping costs, and they did not legally have the rights of veterans, such as the right to have an American Flag draped over their coffins.