The WASPs were ferry pilots, moving all types of aircraft to ports of embarkation and military bases. The idea was to free up male pilots for combat duty.

There were only 1,074 of them, and 38 were killed in accidents. In return for their service, this was our government's so-called 'reward' for those that died: "They were not considered military under the existing guidelines. A fallen WASP was sent home at family expense without traditional military honors or note of heroism. The army would not even allow the U.S. flag to be placed on the coffin of the fallen WASP."

On July 1, 2009, the United States Congress awarded the WASP the Congressional Gold Medal.