459th Reservist present at signing of historic WASP bill

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  • 459th Air Refueling Wing Public Afffairs
WASHINGTON --  A reservist from the 459th Air Refueling Wing was selected to visit the White House Oval Office and witness as President Barack Obama signed into law a bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the Women's Airforce Service Pilots on July 1 at the White House for their invaluable service to the nation more than 60 years ago. 

Major Kara Sandifur, KC-135 Pilot with the 756th Air Refueling Squadron was one of five current female Air Force pilots who joined WASPs Elaine Danforth Harmon, Bernice Falk Haydu and Lorraine H. Rodgers in the White House Oval Office. 

"I was honored to be there," said Maj. Sanidfur. "It was an unforgettable experience and I eagerly await the day the women are officially awarded their gold medals." 

The WASP was established during World War II with the primary mission of flying noncombat military missions in the United States, thus freeing their male counterparts for combat missions overseas. They were the first women ever to fly American military aircraft and they flew almost every type of aircraft operated by the Army Air Force during World War II, logging more than 60 million miles. 

More than 1,000 women joined the WASP and 38 of them were killed during duty. Following World War II, these women were released from duty and returned home. During their time in the WASP, they held civilian status and were not members of the military. Their contributions went largely unrecognized and the women weren't afforded veteran status until 1977. 

The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest and most distinguished award Congress can award to a civilian. Since the American Revolution; Congress has commissioned gold medals as its highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. In 2000 and 2006, Congress awarded the Gold Medal to the Navajo Code Talkers and the Tuskegee Airmen, respectively.