Honors restored to WASPs

President signs legislation opening Arlington to women vets’ remains

In their youth, a little-known group of women answered the nation’s call to service by enlisting in the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs)—a group of more than 1,000 female pilots who worked stateside ferrying planes, towing targets for gunnery training and serving as flight instrument instructors for male pilots during World War II. In May, President Obama signed a bill into law ensuring these female aviation pioneers are properly honored in death.

By signing H.R. 4336, the president and Congress righted a wrong for the nearly 100 remaining WASPs, their families and their many sisters-in-arms who passed away before them. The move came after Army officials ruled last year that—despite approving these measures in 2002—WASP members could no longer receive military honors or have their ashes buried at Arlington National Cemetery under then-existing rules, even though the women earned veteran status under Public Law 95-202 nearly 40 years earlier.

The ruling led family members of WASPs to start an online petition to change the law. The petition, which gathered more than 178,000 signatures, notes that 38 WASPs died in service to their country and, according to Arlington, “Service to country is the common thread that binds all who are remembered and honored at Arlington.”

“This decision just doesn’t make sense,” said Rep. Martha McSally, sponsor of H.R. 4336, which had more than 177 co-sponsors. “At a time when we are opening all positions to women, the Army is closing Arlington to the pioneers who paved the way.”

Congress unanimously passed the measure in both chambers in May.

“Today we have righted a terrible wrong so Women Airforce Service Pilots can once and for all be laid to rest alongside our nation’s patriots at Arlington National Cemetery,” said Sen. Barbara Mikulski, who introduced companion legislation in the Senate. “If they were good enough to fly for our country, risk their lives and earn the Congressional Gold Medal, they should be good enough to be laid to rest at Arlington.”

“The Women Airforce Service Pilots courageously answered their country’s call in a time of need while blazing a trail for the brave women who have given and continue to give so much in service to this nation since,” said President Obama after signing the legislation. “Every American should be grateful for their service, and I am honored to sign this bill to finally give them some of the hard-earned recognition they deserve.”