Women Airforce Service Pilots Bronze Medal
- Year of Issue: 2009
- Authorizing Legislation: Public Law 111-40
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Background
This medal is a bronze duplicate of the Congressional Gold Medal presented to the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) in recognition of their pioneering military service that led to reform in the U.S. Armed Forces. Congress authorized the medal on July 1, 2009. It was presented on March 10, 2010.
The WASP was composed of the first women in history to fly American military aircraft. They flew more than 60,000,000 miles in every type of aircraft and on every type of assignment flown by their male counterparts except combat missions. During that time, 38 women pilots lost their lives.
Characteristics
The obverse depicts the portrait of a WASP with three others in the foreground in flight uniforms walking toward their aircraft. An airborne AT-6 is featured in the background breaking through the inner rim of the medal.
The reverse design features the three aircraft that are symbolic of the airplanes flown by the WASP trainers, fighters, and bombers during World War II: the AT-6 (Texan), indicated by the number 264; the B-26 (Martin Marauder), indicated by the number 967; and the P-51 (Mustang). The WASP wings are depicted at the base of the design.
Obverse Inscriptions
- WOMEN AIRFORCE SERVICE PILOTS
- 1942–1944
Reverse Inscriptions
- THE FIRST WOMEN IN HISTORY TO FLY AMERICAN MILITARY AIRCRAFT
- ACT OF CONGRESS
- 2009
Mint and Mint Mark
Artist Information
Obverse- Sculptor: Phebe Hemphill, Medallic Artist
- Designer: Joel Iskowitz
- Don Everhart, Sculptor-Engraver