Local woman accepts overdue Congressional Gold Medal for WWII service
Congressman Sam Johnson salutes Plano resident
Washington,
May 18 -
Yesterday in Plano at a private ceremony, U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (3rd Dist.-Texas) presented a long awaited Congressional Gold Medal to Frankie Bretherick for her service in the Woman Air Force Service Pilots (WASP) program in World War II. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest and most distinguished award Congress can bestow to a civilian. Since the American Revolution, Congress has commissioned gold medals as its highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions.
The WASP were the first women in history to fly American military aircraft. The groundbreaking steps taken by the WASP paved the way for today's generation of military female aircrew currently engaged in conflicts around the world. The WASP flew more than 60,000,000 miles in every type of aircraft and on every type of assignment flown by their male counterparts except combat missions.
Faced with a shortage of U.S. based pilots in 1942, the Air Force recruited 1,100 civilian female pilots and had them fly military aircraft across the country, test newly developed aircraft (including the B-29 Superfortress bomber that dropped the first atomic bomb on Japan) and tow targets for ground and air target practice. Despite serving their country for two years and losing 38 WASP in the line of duty, the WASP program did not earn military status until 1977.
The President signed a bill into law on July 2, 2009 to honor all WASP in WWII with the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal to honor them for their service to our country. It took the U.S. Mint several months to produce the coins. The President held an official ceremony in Washington, D.C., on March 9th and WASP who were able travel received their Gold Medals at this event. Of the women who received their wings as Women Air Force Service Pilots, approximately 300 are living today.
Johnson visited with Bretherick last summer and presented her with a Congressional Record paying tribute and to her service. During that meeting, Frankie shared her fond memories of her time with the WASP, including meeting her husband while serving and confided how they shared a wonderful long marriage.
The obverse (heads side) of the WASP Congressional Gold Medal was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by United States
Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill. The design depicts the portrait of a WASP with three others in the foreground in period uniforms with an airborne AT-6 in the background. Inscriptions on the obverse are WOMEN AIRFORCE SERVICE PILOTS and 1942-1944.
“This long overdue recognition celebrates the great patriots, great pioneers and great pilots. The WASP courageously answered their country’s call to action 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.
Every American should be grateful for their service, and I am honored to finally present Frankie the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal,” Johnson said at the ceremony.
This is not the first time that the Congress has presented long awaited tributes. In 2000 and 2006, Congress awarded the Gold Medal to the Navajo Code Talkers and the Tuskegee Airmen, respectively.
