WASP Bee Falk Haydu inducted into Women in Aviation International's "Pioneer Hall of Fame"

Bee Falk, WASP Class 44-7, was assigned to a U-78 training base where she flew as a utility pilot and an engineering test pilot. After the WASP were disbanded, Bee worked ferrying,  flight instructing, flying a comedy air show act, and she was one of the first women aviation executives in New Jersey, owning her own Cessna dealership. Bee never lost her love for aviation, and after her marriage to fellow pilot and airplane enthusiast Joe Haydu, owned many airplanes, including a Stearman and a Link trainer, and flew air races for fun.

Bee is best known for her service to the WASP organization (Order of Fifinella) as its president from 1975 to 1978. During that time, she worked with Col. Bruce Arnold (Gen. Hap Arnold’s son) and Senator Barry Goldwater to bring about militarization of the WASP and to gain them veterans’ benefits.

The WASP had the support of all the women serving in both the House and Senate at the
time. Haydu and several other WASP testified at the various hearings, and their efforts were
rewarded when President Jimmy Carter signed  The G.I. Bill Improvement Act of 1977, granting the WASP full military status for their service.

In 2003 Bee published her memoir—Letters Home 1944-45.  Bee remains a much sought after
spokeswoman for the WASP, proudly wearing her WASP uniform on many occasions.
Haydu has her dress uniform on display in the Smithsonian, and joined President Obama and
other women military aviators in the Oval Office in July 2009 as he signed S.614, a bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the WASP. Haydu was inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame & Museum of New Jersey in May 2000.

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Respectfully reprinted from Women In Aviation, International 
Aviation for Women Magazine
p. 47

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Easter Sunday at Avenger Field, 1944

Holidays are tough to celebrate in wartime and Easter Sunday of 1944 was no different.  Most of the trainees were from parts of the country that were now in full bloom with spring flowers and beautiful trees.  In Sweetwater,  Texas, the snowstorms of February had melted and there was a hint of green peeking through the open landscape of West Texas.

The one constant was the wind, which  still blew as the trainees pushed thru to make up for the days playing in the snow, when planes were grounded.   Graduation was around the corner for class 44-W-3.   Temperatures were beginning to register just about perfect, with highs in the mid '70's.

Easter was coming!


The following article is reprinted from "THE AVENGER" Vol. 1, NO 15 published April 7, 1944: 

"SUNRISE SERVICE ON FLIGHT LINE EASTER MORNING"

    Trainees will observe Easter Sunday with a mass "sunrise service" on the flight line.  The service will begin shortly after 7 o'clock.  Arrangements are being made to broadcast the religious program over station KXOX, Sweetwater.

    A large chorus of WASP trainees will sing a number of religious songs.  Ellen Wimberly is directing musical selections and urges all trainees to participate.  Rehearsals began April 4.  The MRTC orchestra from Camp Barkeley will accompany the chorus.

    Rev. Ernest J. Werfelmann, Lutheran U.S.O. representative at Abilene, will conduct the services.
   
    The sunrise service is the first large-scale religious program of its kind conducted at Avenger Field. Mrs. Helen Shaw, Establishment Officer in charge, hopes for 100 percent participation from trainees.