FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                        
Thursday, July 2, 2009
                                     
CONTACT: Cullen Schwarz
(202) 225-5802

OAKLAND COUNTY WOMAN HONORED FOR WORLD WAR II SERVICE

Congressional Gold Medal Awarded to Female WWII Pilots

Washington, D.C. – President Obama signed legislation yesterday to award the Congressional Gold Medal to a unit of female pilots who served during World War II.  S. 614, which passed the House June 16 after having previously passed the Senate, grants the medal to the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) who flew missions within the U.S. during the war.  One of the surviving members of that unit is Sylvia Granader of Beverly Hills, MI (Ms. Granader’s contact information is available upon request).  Congressman Gary Peters cosponsored the bill to award the Gold Medal to WASP.

“My father is a World War II veteran who served in Europe, and the men and women who supported America’s war effort here at home contributed to the Allies’ victory just as he did,” said Rep. Peters.  “The Women Airforce Service Pilots served our nation honorably and I am happy they are being awarded with the Congressional Gold Medal.  I am proud that one of our own in Oakland County is among those being honored, and I thank Ms. Granader for her service to our country.”

The WASP unit consisted of civilian female pilots who flew stateside military aircraft missions, freeing male pilots for combat service.  The WASP was officially formed in August 1943 after two similar women’s pilot units merged.  In the 16 months the WASP existed, more than 25,000 women applied for training, 1,879 candidates were accepted and of these, 1,074 successfully completed the grueling training program.

The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award bestowed by Congress.

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