WASP Betty Martin Riddle, 44-W-9 June 8, 2012

WASP Betty Martin Riddle was born on December 23, 1923, in Wetumka, Oklahoma, halfway between Oklahoma City and the Arkansas border.  Her love of flying began early, as she watched her father build planes from blueprints.  

Betty began flying during her high school years, taking lessons before and after school.  After high school graduation, she enrolled in junior college and signed up for the Civilian Pilot Training Program, worked at the airport on weekends and soloed a plane before she could drive a car. 

In late 1943, she learned of the WASP training program and, when she was old enough, sent in her application.  With her commercial pilot's license in hand, she was accepted into the training program, and joined 97 other young women pilots who paid their way to Sweetwater as members of class 44-9.  

After seven months of training, Betty and 54 of her classmates graduated on November 8, 1944. Assigned to Altus Army Air Base in Altus, Oklahoma, Betty flew as an engineering test pilot in the twin engine UC-78.  Just over a month after her graduation,  December 20, 1944, the WASP were disbanded.  

Betty went to work for Douglas Aircraft as an inspector for the A-26, until the war ended. Answering a telegram from a friend, Betty signed on as a pilot, flying all over south Texas,  ferrying PT-17's and BT-13's to Alice, Texas, where they were converted for crop dusting, student instruction and charter flights.  It was at this time that Betty met and married a fellow pilot.  

When the marriage ended, Betty took her young daughter and went home, taking a job instructing students under the GI Bill at a junior college. While instructing, Betty fell in love with  fellow instructor, Howard Riddle,  and eventually, they were married.  They moved to Liberal, Kansas.  In 1949, they moved their growing family to Rockford, Illinois where Howard became chief pilot at Sundstrand Corporation.  For the next 30 years, while raising their 3 children, Betty continued to renew her ratings and kept flying.

Betty's artwork on display in her living room, 2001.

During the 60's she worked as a secretary/receptionist, a flight instructor and became part owner of a Cessna dealership.   After retiring, her love of learning kept Betty busy-- sewing, knitting, golfing, water skiing, painting, cake decorating, playing bridge and creating ceramics. 

When her husband died in 1985, she became more active in aviation organizations, including the National WASP Organization, where she served as District Director and worked in WASP Stores.  She also became active in the Experimental Aircraft Association, Confederate (Commemorative) Airforce, Biplane Association, Antique Aircraft Association and the 99's. 

On March 10, 2010, Betty and her family were  present at the US Capitol when the WASP were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.  It is the highest civilian award Congress can bestow. It was a memorable occasion for many reasons, but, according to Betty, traveling with her family by motorhome to the ceremony was something she would always cherish. 

In July of 2001, Betty graciously invited Wings Across America into her home, and shared her inspirational story.  When asked why she joined the WASP, Betty didn't hesitate to answer:  

"I wanted to do what I could.  It was the one thing I knew how to do. My two brothers were younger. They couldn't join. I was the oldest. I wanted to do what I could to help win the war."                            

Betty was one of the first women in history to fly America's military aircraft.   She was a true patriot.

Betty Riddle died Friday, June 8,  in Claremore, Oklahoma.   She is survived by her daughter Susan Hilton, sons Steven and Dan Riddle, their spouses, six grandchildren, two  great grandchildren and brother Jack Martin.


Official obit -- Tulsa World
Services are pending  Musgrove-Merriott-Smith.  Betty Riddle -- TULSA WORLD, March 21, 2010

WASP Elizabeth "Betty" Whitlow Smith, 43-W-2 June 16, 2011

WASP Elizabeth Whitlow Smith,  patriot, pilot, mother and  true southern lady of grace and humility transitioned from this life to the next on June 16, 2011.   She will be missed by all those whose lives she touched.

"Betty" was born in the lush green landscape of Pine Bluff, Arkansas on December 29, 1920 to Joseph and Mary Whitlow.  From as early as she could remember, airplanes fascinated her.  She felt drawn to the sense of freedom and space she felt when she looked up.  

As a young girl, Betty covered her bedroom walls with aviation  pictures, including a magazine ad featuring  an airplane silhouette along with a bottle of perfume.


During her sophomore year at the University of Tulsa, the 19-year-old psychology major, was given the opportunity to fly in the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP).  Betty became one of two women surrounded by 18 men in the government sponsored program, eventually earning her pilot's license.

Once she soloed, Betty's  first passenger was her mother, Mary.    Soon, Betty became 1/4 owner of a Piper Cub and continued flying while working at Douglas Aircraft in Tulsa, inspecting equipment on modified B-24's.  Once she had accumulated the required 200 hours, she was accepted into the WASP training program and  entered training at Houston Municipal Airport (now Houston Hobby) as a member of the second class.  

After graduation, she was stationed with the 5th Ferrying Group, ATC at Love Field, Dallas, Texas.  During her time as a ferry pilot, Betty flew PTs, BTs and AT6s. Later, after graduating from pursuit school, she ferried the P-51, P-40 and P-47.  She also completed Officers Training School in Orlando, Florida.


Following her service as a WASP, Betty was married for 30 years to Ben Rummerfield, a geophysicist.  His career with a seismic exploration company took the couple to Caracas, Venezuela  (where their first daughter was born), Mexico City (where their first son was born) and finally, back to Tulsa  (where their second daughter and son were born).     Betty spent her time raising their 4 children and, eventually, became involved in volunteer work with the Junior Board of the Children's Home, YMCA, and as a Water Safety, First Aid and Sailing Instructor for the American Red Cross.


After 30 years of marriage, the couple parted and Betty met Dan Smith, whom she married more than 3 years later.  


Betty was a cheerful volunteer, both at her church and with the Assistance League of Tulsa.

Betty and Dan with their flag flying.  Wings Across America Interview.

Betty is survived by her husband Dan S. Smith, children Ann Sartain, Mike Rummerfield, Ben Rummerfield, Jr. and Susan Rummerfield, her grand children Sarah Campbell, Esther Sartain and Ben Sartain,  great- granddaughter, Chloe Campbell, stepsons Doug and Kevin Smith and Betty's brother Joe Whitlow.

Memorial services for Betty will be held at  2:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 21, at the Country Club of Woodland Hills, 6333 S. 91st E. Ave.  Tulsa, Oklahoma.

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On January 27, 2002, Betty was kind enough to allow our Wings Across America camera into her home.  Throughout her interview, there was a quiet grace and kindness that was captured, along with Betty's thoughts on being a WASP, for generations to come.  May the following words touch your heart just as they did ours.

On the WASP:  "We were a group. We were not known as individual flyers like those who had gone before -- Amelia Earhart or Jacqueline Cochran,  but as a group we really opened things up in the military for women  and its gratifying to know that they appreciate that.  They do express that and I think that that's very nice.  I hope that it will encourage young people, if they do get to know about us, that they'll see that they have a chance to do what they have a dream to do... what they dream of."

On getting thru the tough times: "Having friends and a belief system...knowing that its gonna be OK. There is something greater than us watching over us."

On encouraging future generations: "If they have a dream, something that they feel any passion about, that they just think that would be the thing that would just make everything worthwhile for them, they should hang on to that dream and not be swayed away from it by anyone.  Because there are so many people out there that say 'Oh, you can't do that, that's not possible, it's not been done' ... Don't listen.  Don't listen to that. Just follow your dream."

Taken from Wings Across America's interview with Betty Whitlow Smith, 2002

Respectfully posted by Nancy Parrish
June 18, 2011
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Reposted from ObitsforLife.com:
"Betty was a devoted Mother who raised her children with a sense of adventure and curiosity. Little did her children know until adulthood that she ferried all single engine Airforce fighter aircraft in the American inventory during WW II with a spiritual commitment to the air ways while skipping across the windy skies, the setting sun, and billowing clouds where arching rainbows are caught on wing tips.
Family and friends wish you to fly high and that your wings “touch the face of God”.
We Love You"

Article on 2 Tulsa WASP