Lady Flyer, page 36
—Dora Dougherty
January–March 1944—Cincinnati, Ohio
Nancy paced her Cincinnati office as she waited for the WASP squadron commanders and their assistants to arrive for the meeting she’d called. The tide of the war was changing, and the push for militarizing the women was gaining traction. Changes were happening, and they were happening fast.
But today would be a hard day, for all of them.
The brisk clip of heeled shoes sounded from the corridor, and Nancy crossed to the doorway of her office.
As she watched the group of women walk toward her, impeccably dressed in WASP blues, pride swelled within her. Most of them were the Originals, women Nancy had served with for nearly two years now. Women she’d trusted and worked with and challenged and learned from.
She greeted each one as nerves thrummed through her. There weren’t any other women on the planet who Nancy trusted more. She needed them more than ever. Would they rise to the challenge she was about to issue? No matter how difficult?
After everyone took the chairs Nancy had brought into the office, she said, “Yesterday, I learned that several of you took it upon yourselves to meet with commanders of various groups and push ahead an agenda that hasn’t been approved by myself or General Tunner.”
The faces looking back at her were a mixture of surprise and embarrassment.
Nancy folded her arms. “This meeting is not to reprimand any of you but to get everything out in the open. We need to communicate with each other, and we need to respect our superiors who have been tasked with running the Ferrying Program.” She looked over at Betty Gillies. “Betty, can you fill everyone in?”
Betty’s cheeks flushed, but she stood and faced the others. “First, I need to explain myself. We all know about the militarization bill, and we all know how long it’s been in the works. There’s always a delay. We also know that major changes are coming. American pilots are doing amazing things in this war, and the casualties have been a lot less than General Arnold projected. Which, of course, is excellent news. On the war front, American troops have infiltrated and are gaining ground in New Guinea, Italy, Burma, and the Marshall Islands, to name a few.”
All heads nodded. Everyone read war news whenever possible.
Betty continued. “We didn’t discuss militarization directly as WAFS, and we’ve been avoiding the subject as WASP. It’s like we’ve all been tiptoeing around it. We’re set on doing our jobs and not getting involved in the politics. But I wanted to change that, and I . . .” She cut a glance to Nancy, who merely motioned for her to continue. “I jumped ahead and took matters into my own hands.”
The room went absolutely silent.
“I took B.J., Delphine, and Esther to Washington, DC, with me. We met with Jackie Cochran to find out her agenda. The meeting wasn’t really productive, and we didn’t get any definitive answers, but it was certainly an interesting two hours.”
A few of the other women smiled.
“Then we met with the Navy—since they’ve made inquiries about the use of women ferry pilots.”
Several women exchanged glances.
“Our next stop was the Pentagon, where we spoke with Brigadier General William E. Hall, who, as you know, is the deputy chief of Air Staff.” Betty drew in a breath and met the wide-eyed stares. “I asked him how to go about receiving a commission in the Army of the United States as a service pilot. He was very supportive and said, ‘By golly, if you can, that would solve all our problems.’”
No one moved for a long moment, until Avanell Pinckley asked, “So, you want to militarize under the Army and not the WAC or the Air Force?”
“Yes, that was the goal.” Betty looked again at Nancy. “I couldn’t find anything in the Army or AAF regulations that would prevent this. I hoped that this could happen without government legislation. It would also mean that the WASP could be militarized and kept out of the WAC. It was a plan I believed to be solid, but I executed it in the wrong way.”
The air in the room seemed electric with curiosity.
Betty bowed her head and took a seat, so Nancy finished. “Unfortunately, I didn’t know of any of this, or I would have deterred Betty.” Nancy folded her arms. “We can’t supersede the Arnold-Cochran plan, no matter how much we don’t want to be militarized under Cochran’s leadership. I had to order everyone back to their bases because although this grassroots effort was done with honest intentions, it put the base commanders in a tough spot.” She took a chair and leaned forward. “The cost of this unauthorized trip has to be repaid, which I know that Betty and the rest of you involved intended to do anyway. But the bottom line is that the transportation requests weren’t authorized in the first place.”
B.J. lifted a hand. “I must also confess to something. I thought if I applied as a service pilot under my initials B.J. Erickson, I would get accepted. I’ve apologized to Nancy, but I owe an apology to everyone in this room. You’ve given me your trust, and I’ve violated it. Please accept my sincerest apology.”
Heads bobbed around the room.
“We understand you all had good intentions,” Nancy said. “Unfortunately, we received word that an official directive has been sent out by Air Staff Personnel, and it was clarified that only men could be commissioned as officers in the Army of the United States.”
“So, we went on a wild goose chase, and it ended up backfiring,” Betty said in a dull tone.
Nancy clasped her hands together. “A few positives came of it, despite things.” Everyone looked at her with interest. “We discovered how supportive General Hall was of the idea, which will light a few more fires—in good places. Most importantly, no matter any of our personal feelings, we need to have a united front with Cochran. We need to pull together and fight on the same team. We can’t allow the newspapers to pit myself and Cochran against each other. Nothing will get accomplished then. In February, Costello will reintroduce the WASP bill to Congress, and our reputation needs to be squeaky clean.”
Since the Costello bill hadn’t passed Congress but had instead gone into review by the House Committee on Military Affairs, then a subsequent amendment, it would soon be reintroduced.
Everyone in the room nodded.
“Early in the war, the RAF pilots were given three months to live,” Nancy said soberly. “Once the US joined, the pilot casualties have only gone down. This means, of course, that the Pilot Training Programs are being cut back, and some of the men are returning home, in need of jobs.”
Nancy didn’t need to overexplain what that might mean for the WASP Program, which was another reason to push for militarizing the WASP.
After answering a couple of questions, she dismissed the meeting, but everyone stayed around to chat. She moved to Betty and gave her a long hug. When Nancy drew away, Betty’s eyes were wet.
“You don’t hate me?” Betty asked.
“I don’t hate you,” Nancy said. “I think what you did was brave but couldn’t work for various reasons.”
Later that night, she reported all that had gone on to Bob.
“You’re doing a fine job, sweetie,” he said into the phone. “The WASP need to remain unified and stay ahead of petty administration details.”
“Yes, but why does it have to be so hard?” Nancy asked. “My teeth are getting smaller from gritting them so much.”
“Stop reading the reports about Cochran.”
Nancy scoffed. “If only it were that easy. I’m like a bee attracted to the honey.”
“I understand that,” he mused, “but what I want to know is, When will I see you again? I’m tired of these phone calls. I’m heading to the Pacific at the end of February, and I don’t want to wait until after.”
“We both have rechecks due, so let’s meet and do them together.”
“You’re brilliant—have I told you that? Someplace warm, please?”
“Long Beach it is.” Nancy was smiling by the time she hung up with her husband. She had to do a recheck on the B-17 to keep her qualification, and Bob had to do a recheck on instruments.
Seeing Bob was always too short of a reunion and was filled with other people and busyness. When February arrived, they met in Long Beach, and the stolen moments were sweet but only made her long for the war to end and to live once again in the same place with Bob.
Before seeing him off again, she told him of her plan to stop at Sweetwater on her way back to Cincinnati. The WASP Class 44-2 was graduating, and at the same time, B.J. would be receiving the Air Medal. General Hap Arnold would be in attendance as well as Jackie Cochran.
“You’ll be brilliant, as always,” Bob told Nancy, pulling her into a hug.
“Maybe I will, but I’m still anxious about it all.”
Bob kissed the top of her head, his arms still around her. “What’s your biggest worry?”
“That I’ll snap and say something I regret.” She sighed against him. “There’s no reason to. I’ve literally lectured my squadron leaders to focus on our shared goals and rise above pettiness.”
“There. You’ll do that. You always keep your cool around others—why would this graduation ceremony be any different?”
“You’re right.” She lifted her face. “As usual.”
Bob grinned, creasing the lines that had deepened about his eyes over the years. He was the same man, though, the same Bob.
“Cochran and I need to discuss the upcoming hearings,” she said. “We’ll be attending them together, with General Arnold.”
“See?” Bob said, his blue gaze tender. “Everyone is on the same team now, and you’ll keep emotions in check.” He leaned down, and she let her eyes flutter shut as he pressed a kiss on her mouth—a kiss tasting of warmth and home.
“Be safe, will you?” she murmured after a moment. “I don’t want any tragic phone calls.”
“The same goes for you, sweetie.”
The morning of March 11, 1944, dawned bright and clear. The Texas sky was a giant swath of blue coming in through the small window of Nancy’s quarters at Sweetwater. She’d heard plenty of adventurous stories of the barracks living conditions, from how the women had to check their boots and pant legs for scorpions in the morning to the constant dust to the invasion of locusts. On the hotter nights, some women dragged their cots outside to sleep, and more than one rattlesnake had been found curled up on the cots in the morning, not to mention the crickets that joined them as well.
Nancy donned her full WASP uniform, adjusted the Santiago blue tie against the pressed collar, then pinned her beret into place. As a final touch, she added a swipe of Montezuma red lipstick. There would be plenty of photos today, and she needed to appear the official part. After graduation, she’d meet with Arnold and Cochran to go over Arnold’s hearing statement.
It was good to see B.J., who looked elegant in her crisp WASP uniform, and Nancy kept her focus on her friend. Arnold pinned the medal on B.J.’s jacket lapel himself, and after the ceremony and the graduation speeches, Nancy congratulated B.J. once again. Then Nancy entertained some questions from the graduating WASP, after which she headed into Cochran’s office.
Nancy greeted Cochran briefly, who nodded with a tight smile.
“Thank you for coming, both of you,” Arnold cut in before there could be any more small talk. “Let’s all sit.” He motioned to the chairs, and Nancy settled in.
She thought of what Bob had said, and she forced her shoulders to relax.
“Let’s jump right into it,” Arnold said. “I’ll be the only witness at the hearing, and I want both of you in full uniform at my side. Ethel Sheehy will also join us. We’re familiar with the controversy that’s been stirred up—pitting Mrs. Love against Miss Cochran—so we need to show a united front.”
“I agree,” Nancy replied. Ethel was the chief recruiting officer for the WASP, hired on by Cochran. Nancy glanced at Cochran, and though Cochran’s shoulders seemed to stiffen, she didn’t respond.
“Excellent,” Arnold said. “Any questions from either of you?”
Cochran folded her arms.
Since Cochran didn’t offer anything up, Nancy said, “I do have a question actually. What is the summary of the revised Costello bill?”
Arnold clasped his hands. “In general, that existing regulations hold out until the end of the war, so women will remain as flight officers or as students.”
Nancy had no qualms about this.
Finally, Cochran had a comment. “Female flight cadets will be commissioned as second lieutenants in the AUS once they graduate from training.”
This sounded fine to Nancy as well.
Arnold jumped in again. “The women will receive the same pay as the men in the Army. They’ll also be entitled to the same benefits, rights, and privileges.”
“According to their rank, of course, and length of service,” Cochran filled in.
“Fair enough.” Nancy drew in a slow breath and ignored the uptick of her pulse. Everything had been fine and cordial so far. “Is the hearing statement prepared? Can I read it?”
Arnold’s brows twitched. “It’s prepared, and you’ll receive a copy of it later on.” His comment was plainly dismissive. “Any other questions?”
Both Arnold and Cochran were gazing at her so intently that if Nancy did have more questions, she’d probably pass on them. As it was, the meeting had been very brief—much quicker and neater than she had expected.
“Thank you for giving me an idea of what to expect.” Nancy stood and straightened her jacket. “I’ll see you at the committee hearing.”
Arnold and Cochran rose, and Nancy shook hands with each of them, then left the office. There was still plenty of daylight, and she planned to begin her trip back to Ohio.
The day finally arrived, and on March 22, 1944, General Arnold stood before the House Armed Services Committee, joined by Nancy, Jackie Cochran, and Ethel Sheehy—all wearing their WASP uniforms. Arnold spoke with directness and friendliness, and Nancy was impressed with how the committee seemed interested and open to everything he proposed.
When she called Betty later to report, Nancy said, “I never thought I’d say this, but General Arnold was brilliant. I understand now why he’s in his position. He’s respected for his opinion and authority. Also, having me, Cochran, and Sheehy flanking him, showing unified support, was perfect.”
Betty laughed softly. “I never thought you’d compliment that man, but you’re setting the standard once again.”
“Now we need to avoid bad press,” Nancy said with a sigh.
Maybe it had been a premonition, or maybe it had become second nature for Nancy to have her dealings reported on, but the newspapers lambasted the WASP bill. There were a few supporting opinions published, but Nancy felt furious when she read some of the articles. It seemed that everyone was complaining. Veterans’ organizations wrote to Congress, saying that the women were taking jobs from the men. Male civilian flying instructors complained, and parents complained that their sons, who were aviation cadets, were now being transferred to infantry.
Since the ACAA WTS Program that trained the pilots had been terminated in January and the AAF had started its own pilot cutbacks, suddenly, WASP pilots were seen as a threat. The returning combat pilots still wanted jobs flying too. Which meant they wanted to take the utility pilot jobs and replace the women.
Between the laid-off flight instructors, the returning combat pilots, and the veterans’ organizations, a full publicity campaign was growing, and everything was aimed at denigrating the WASP.
With Bob in Australia on assignment, Nancy spent a restless night, then hurried into her office early the next morning.
Tunner was already in his office, and Nancy wasn’t surprised.
She tapped on his partially open door.
“Come in,” Tunner said in a tired voice.
As she stepped into his office, she winced at the sight of his disheveled hair and red-rimmed eyes. If she hadn’t known better, she would have thought he had a hangover.
“Did you even sleep last night?” Nancy said.
“For a short while.” Tunner motioned to the chair on the other side of the desk. “I assume you read the evening papers?”
Nancy sat and gripped the bag she carried. “I did. I want to write a rebuttal and send it to every newspaper. I hate to have all the work that Costello did on the bill be completely wasted.” She fully expected Tunner to have some argument, but instead, he surprised her.
“I’ve already started one. Well, several.”
He slid the paper over to her. “Ignore the scratch-outs. It’s rough.”
Nancy scanned through the page. “This is good.” She took his pencil and made a few notations. “Have you talked to General Arnold?”
“I called him first thing, even though it’s early yet,” Tunner said. “He has a concern that he didn’t share with me before—he was the only witness who went before the committee. He thinks that demonstrates bias right from the start.”
She hadn’t thought of it that way before, but now she agreed with Arnold.
“Mrs. Love,” Tunner said, becoming formal. “I’ve also spoken to General George. He’s asking me to compile a comprehensive report on the WASP pilots and their job skills, responsibilities, and performance at the Ferrying Division. I will include input from the squadron commanders as well as pursuit school.” He drummed his fingers on the desk. “If this escalates into an investigation, like we think it might, we want you to give the deposition.”
Chapter Forty
