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Women Airforce Service Pilots Awarded the Congressional Gold Medal
Dreier Also Meets with Local WASP Honorees
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas) participated in a ceremony yesterday honoring the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II with the Congressional Gold Medal. Congressman Dreier also met with WASP Gold Medal recipients Alyce Rohrer and Margaret Weiss, both from Pasadena.
“It was an honor to meet these women and hear their stories of service to our country,” Dreier said. “Their courage has been an example to the thousands of servicemen and women who have followed in their footsteps in the nearly 70 years since WASP took their first flight.”
WASP collectively flew over 60 million miles, on every type of assignment flown by male Army Air Forces pilots, with the exception of combat missions. Congressman Dreier was an original cosponsor and strong supporter of H.R. 2014 which awarded WASP the Congressional Gold Medal. The Senate version of this legislation, S. 614, passed the House in June, 2009.
“WASP put their lives on the line in defense of America’s freedom and this recognition of their extraordinary efforts was long overdue. We owe these pioneers of aviation a huge debt of gratitude. I hope this medal acts as a small token of our appreciation,” Dreier said.
Dreier added that many WASP have participated in the Veterans History Project, which is sponsored by his office and the Library of Congress. “Recording the stories and reflections of WASP and other service members is crucial to our nation’s history,” Dreier said. Since 2004, Congressman Dreier's office has collected hundreds of personal stories from veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans are encouraged to contact Congressman Dreier's office at (909) 575-6226 to schedule an interview to give first-hand recollections of their military experiences, as well as any photographs, correspondence or memorabilia they would like to share. This information will be preserved by the Library of Congress to be stored and accessed by future generations.