Indiana State Museum

Fort Wayne, Indiana, resident and World War II veteran, Marty Wyall is a pioneer. Wyall was only one of a thousand highly skilled and driven pilots who became the first women trained to fly and ferry military aircraft. These remarkable women were called WASP- Women Airforce Service Pilots.

The Indiana State Museum, in association with Puddlejump Pictures, has produced an exhibit and documentary about Wyall – Indiana’s only surviving WASP. Opened March 19, 2010, the exhibit features personal items belonging to Wyall, including her dress uniform, log book, flying suit and letters written home to her parents. A short documentary included in the exhibit describes her arduous training at Avenger Field, Texas plus anecdotes of her flying experiences as a WASP.

The story of these courageous women came to light some years after the war had ended when they were posthumously given military status in 1977. In March, 2010, the remaining WASP were presented with the Congressional Gold Medal, one of the highest awards given to civilians by the U.S Government. Wyall’s medal is also on display at the exhibit.

Thirty-eight WASP and trainees were killed flying for their country. Their role in history was classed as top secret by the military, with many of their own families unaware of the sacrifice and contribution these women made toward the wartime effort. In return, they received no recognition, no honors, no benefits and no military burial. The WASP program was deactivated in December 1944.

At last, these women are being hailed as unsung heroes and their stories being told. As the WASP historian, Wyall still travels around the country speaking of her time as a WASP. As Wyall explains in the documentary, “WASP was the best thing that happened to about a thousand of us. And we know it.”

The exhibit will be featured at the Indiana State Museum through August 8.

HelloIndianapolis Tip: For more information about the contribution of the WASP, visit this website. Check the Museum website for events surrounding this exhibit.

- by Jim Brown , Indianapolis Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Jim Brown

Jim Brown is a longtime freelance aviation, travel and destination writer and communications professional. A former reporter for Aviation Daily, Air Safety Week and World Airline News, Jim served for more than 15 years as a senior public relations executive for American Airlines, TWA and AirTran Airways.