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.
my uncle aged 19 was killed in the Verdun just 2 weeks after disembarking in France that last winter...my aunt was angry with him for insisting on a combat posting and quarreled with him at a family dinner right before he left...and she never got over it.
he was always a hero to us and my kids all know his story amongst others but he gets no special recognition over others like him based on his sex or race..
yes we are tired of it...this identity make up crap is so old
as for women and planes....a local ferry gal here....Cornelia Fort died doing that and has an airport namd after her and I know her niece rather well
likewise...that gal killed in Iraq immediately gets a mountain named after her by that kook governor out there
but if you want a real gutsy women pilots....check out the Soviet women fighter pilots who fought they Luftwaffe.. . . Nachthexen.
that said...women don’t often fly as well as men...like driving...yep, there are exceptions..great but one does not live by exceptions
btw...Amelia Earhart ran out of gas and couldn’t find the island she was looking for...nothing sinister...in case anyone was wondering