I’m sorry but I don’t think this story takes anything away from the heroism of the brave combat pilots of WW2. It just completes more actual history and is a great example of just what it took for America to actually fight and win a World War. JMHO. Your mileage may vary.
“I’m sorry but I don’t think this story takes anything away from the
heroism of the brave combat pilots of WW2. It just completes more
actual history and is a great example of just what it took for America
to actually fight and win a World War.”
That’s my take as well.
These ladies voluntarily took on risks that they could have
easily bypassed.
When I lived in Los Angeles, there was a news article about the one of
these ladies that took off from what is now LAX. She and the Mustang
vanished. Best guess is that they both went into Santa Monica Bay.
To never be seen again.
It isn’t the story that’s the problem. Its the affirmative action medal that was awarded 65 years later that is a problem. They flew planes. Some of them crashed planes and died. None died due to enemy action. There’s nothing heroic there. Like you said, it’s just part of what it means to be part of nation that is completely at war. That really is the message to take from the WASPs—when your nation is at war and fighting for its life, you contribute in EVERY way you can. Waving a flag and calling everyone in uniform a hero is not sufficient.
They aren’t the Greatest Generation because they fought a war. They earned that title because they completely retooled America in a few months to be the arsenal of democracy, and then went right back to normal, boring lives as soon as it ended.
Most of the WASPs probably never cared if they got a medal for their service because their pride in a job well-done was enough, but someone convinced Congress and Obama that it would be a good PR move to award it and use it as another “example” of how the patriarchal society of Pre-Obama America mistreated victim groups.