WASP Lois Boien Durham, 43-W-7

Born September 14, 1921, Lois passed away on Sunday, June 22, 2008.

The following post is "In her own words" from WASP Betty Turner's book, "Out of the Blue and Into History. (p229-230), published in 2001:

My family had been in Omaha for over 140 years. Because I did not like to go to sleep at the normal time, my father drove me to Fort Crook, Nebraska (now Offutt AFB) and let me watch the midnight mail plane come in and pick up the mail. My nose was against the fence from age one--and I'm still watching the planes (I live in the flight pattern of the long runway).

My mother was a special friend of Lt. Roscoe Turner. After WWI, Mr. Turner returned to visit the Olson family and to introduce his new bride. When I asked permission to fly, my mother called Roscoe in Indianapolis and asked him, "Is there a future in aviation for women?" He gold her, "Of course!" She told me to go ahead and fly!

I was accepted in class 43-7 and was assigned to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. My next assignment was the 3rd Ferrying Group, Romulus, Michigan, and then Greenville, Mississippi.

After deactivation, I returned to Omaha in 1947 to work at Offutt AFB, then transferred to Sioux City as a personnel specialist. I returned to Omaha and worked again at Offutt until November 1951 when I resigned to get married. I met my husband, Bob Durham, through a man who worked in base supply with me. After several months of traveling, we settled in Lincoln, Nebraska. I returned to DOD as operations specialist at Lincoln AFB.

Bob had been in the Army since he was 16 years old, transferred to the Air Corps, gone to OCS (Officer Candidate School), then to flight training and received his wings in '45., We flew together as much as we could--flying parachutists, charters, 99s -- and vacations. Bob used his flying skills in his police work while in Lincoln. I was the lat civilian operations specialist and transferred to the personnel field.

During the 17 years we lived in Lincoln, we raised our six children. Peter, a Marine who served in Vietnam, is a member of the Los Angeles Police Department; David retired from the Air Force several years ago--he spent his time in command posts around Europe and USA. Philip was the stage manager for the Omaha Symphony for 13 years and rat ART TRAN, moving musical instruments and art objects. Martha, the only girl and a mother of three, has worked computers, cars (mechanic), and veterinarian supplies; Douglas works for Marriott, and Robert is an auto mechanic. There are 13 grandchildren as of today.

When Lincoln AFB closed, I worked for the Civil Service Commission in Omaha, then the Veterans Administration in Lincoln and the Internal Revenue District Office in Omaha. I retired early because of illness of my husband and learned to take care of a continuous application of renal dialysis patient. I lost him in 1982.

For the last five years, I have been actively speaking to schools, clubs, senior centers, churches, universities and WWII reunions. The highlight of my speaking engagements was going to London to talk to the Concord Dining Society of the RAF Club. The Society flew me to Heathrow and back to New York in the Concord.

I also shared the podium with Eric Brown, one of the most famous of English pilots. He appears on PBS- -and sat in my living room three weeks before the Concord event --on TV.

I have served as Regional Director of Region 2 for two terms and was Chairman of the '98 Omaha Reunion of the WASP WWII. I have attended my 55th Doane College Reunion, been recognized for Distinguished Service, had scholarships given in my name, but still cherish being a WASP more than anything.

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and, reprinted from the Omaha World Herald

Lois Boien Durham
DURHAM-Lois Boien, age 86, of Ralston, NE. Member of the Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). Preceded in death by husband Robert. Survived by sister, Barbara Erickson, Edwardsville, IL; sons, Peter (Nancy) of Woodland Hills, CA, David (Joni) of Centralia, IL, Phillip (Carol), Douglas (Melody) and Robert, all of Omaha; daughter, Martha (Royal) Bush of Omaha; grandchildren; great -grandchildren; nieces; nephews; numerous other relatives and friends. Memorial Service to be held July 8, 7pm, Messiah Lutheran Church, Ralston, NE. Memorials suggested to the Lois Durham Scholarship for Women Pilots at the University of Nebraska at Omaha Aviation Institute. Published in the Omaha World-Herald from 6/24/2008 - 7/8/2008.

WASP Mary Catherine "Jary" Johnson McKay, 43-W-2

Mary Catherine Johnson was born on November 10, 1916 in Madison, Wisconsin. She passed away June 4, 2008 of congestive heart failure and cancer.

In her memory, the following , from Betty Turner's OUT OF THE BLUE and INTO HISTORY" allows Jary to tell her own story--in her own words.

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"I got interested in flying as a member of the glider club at the University of Michigan, where I flew a single-place glider, both at Ann Arbor and at the international glider meet at Elmira, New York, in 1937. After moving to California, I took airplane lessons, earned a private pilot's license, and accumulated 60 hours of flying time.

The flying training program headed by Jacqueline Cochran required 300 hours of flying time. Dorothy Nichols and I quit our jobs and drove to Fort Worth, Texas, to finish our flying time because civilian flying was banned in California within 300 miles of the coast after Pearl Harbor. Two weeks later Miss Cochran's office called us at our motel and asked us to be in the second training class, 43-2.

After graduation, I was assigned to Romulus Ferry Base, where I ferried trainers and P-39's, P-40's, P-51's and P-63's, from factories to training bases or locations for overseas delivery. I also flew the L-5 and PT-26. Dorothy was stationed at Long Beach, California, and was later killed in a P-39.

After deactivation, I joined the Red Cross and worked on American bases spread throughout India as what was then termed a "club worker." I met my husband in India and got married and had three daughters right away. I was afraid enough of airplanes that I didn't want to be up in the air when I had little kids I was responsible for. I was a housewife for 12 years before I was divorced and had to work.

In 1982, after not flying for 35 years, I took flying lessons and reactivated my commercial license.

As a pilot for the humanitarian group Angel Flight, I now transport ambulatory patients who are in need of medical attention but unable to pay for transportation. I am also a coordinator, booking the missions. I get pilots for the missions, but you can't always get a pilot right away. They're busy guys, often out of the office. But their response is so possible. I am also a member of a flying club and own equity in two Cessna-172s.

I consider my greatest achievement to be the mother and grandmother of productive children and four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren; to have been responsible for the education of two daughters and two sons-in-law in the value of freedom and some of the means of its implementation. If our civilization ever recovers from its current degeneration, they will be in some small way partly responsible for it."

from "Out of the Blue and Into History" by Betty Stagg Turner. P. 53.

Services will be private—

Jary’s legacy will go on -- in the lives of those she touched with her service, her dedication and her love.
This WASP made a difference in many lives…and she will be missed.

posted by nancy parrish, june 11, 2008

Bette "Pat" Pratt Stark, 43-W-8T

New Horizons - Pat Stark

Bette "Pat" Stark went on to New Horizons Sunday, May 18, 2008, at the age of 87.

Pat began her flying career in a CPT course taught at Bowling Green State University. After graduating in 1943 with a BA degree, Pat entered training* for the WASP program in Sweetwater, Texas. She flew PT-19s, BT-13s, BT-15s and AT6s.

After the war she moved on to Miami, Florida where she worked for Emery Riddle Flying School and National Airlines. After picking up her Commercial License in Florida, she moved on to New York and a job with American Airlines at La Guardia Airport.

She married Paul Stark in 1946 and settled in Adrian, Michigan for a few months-tearing down engines and replacing fabric on J-3s. She also picked up her Instructor's Rating in Toledo, Ohio.

Pat and Paul moved back to BGSU. Paul got a degree in coaching and Pat taught high school English. On weekends Pat took Paul flying, mostly aerobatics, which she loved.

They moved to the Cleveland area and for a time lived near the end of Runway 23 at Cuyahoga County Airport.

Pat was chairman of the Lake Erie Chapter from 1970-80, receiving the Achievement Award in 1979, Pilot of the Year in 1983 and an Amelia Earhart medal. She later changed chapters to All-Ohio and later to Women With Wings (both in Northeast Ohio).

Through her 70s, Pat taught flying-related classes with the Lake Erie Coast Guard. She was also a member of the Cleveland Chapter of the Air Force Association (AFA).

She is survived by her husband, John Paul (a resident at the Western Reserve Masonic Community in Medina, Ohio), her three children, Roger, Sandra and Bette, two grandchildren and two step-grandchildren. There was no memorial service.

Cris Takacs
Lake Erie Chapter 99s
International Women-s Air & Space Museum

*edited for accuracy

WASP LOVELLE RICHARDS BENESH, 43-W-1

WASP Lovelle Richards Benesh, who had suffered from Alzheimer's disease, passed away on April 20, 2008. In November, 1942, Lovelle paid her way to Texas to enter the experimental flight training program, not quite sure what would be expected of her--but she knew she was going to fly for her country. Lovelle was a member of the "GUINNA PIG" class--the first women to be trained thru the Army Air Force flight training program--Houston, Texas. She, along with 29 classmates, raised her right hand and took the 'OATH' to serve her country and defend the Constitution of the United States "so help me God." This incredible group of young women pilots had all been selected by Jacqueline Cochran. Requirements for entrance into the Women's Flying Training program for the first class included a private pilot license and at least 200 hours. On their first day, the chief pilot tells the first class: "The first thing you'll have to do is forget everything you thought you knew about how to fly. Forget it. Now. And be willing to learn. Don't expect your instructor to be polite and gentle. He won't be. And if he cusses at you, you probably deserve it, so don't go running to Mrs. Deaton to complain. The last thing you want to be is a quitter...and it is up to you whether this entire Women's Flying Training Program succeeds and opens the way for hundreds of pilots like you to fly military planes. Or you can fail, by acting like spoiled brats, by giving up because you don't like the food, or your flight instructor, or ground school. It's up to you. You are the Guinea Pigs."* Lovelle went on to complete the training and graduate. Her assignment was to Long Beach--to be part of the Ferry Command. In Byrd Granger's "On Final Approach," is an entry for June 23, 1943: WASP ferry pilots Lovelle Richards and Geri Lamphere are hauling their parachutes toward L-5 Stinson puddle-jumpers for the next leg on the long journey from the factory at Romulus into the Deep Soluth./ Tagging along are 2 Army pilots, also flying Sinsons, who pay no attention to regulations to keep away from women pilots." Sometime during this trip, the weather closed in and a Texas-sized thunderstom forced them all to land at a small field. Eventually, the storm devestated the tiny aircraft as the pilots all watched helplessly. She resigned sometime before December of 1944 to get married. ________________
From the official obituary: Jozy Lovelle Richards Benesh 88 of Upland California died April 20 2008 at San Antonio Community Hospital. Born October 23rd 1919 in Flora Illinois. She was a local resident for 49 years and was a homemaker. From 1943-44 she served with the Women AirForce Service Pilots. She was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Upland.
Mrs. Benesh is survived by her husband Kenneth Vance Benesh of Upland, daughters Marjorie Elizabeth Benesh of Upland, sons Kenneth V.Benesh Jr. of Colton and Don Wylie Benesh of Pittsburg, Ca. 7 grandchildren and one great grandchild. Memorial Mass will be Friday May 2 2008 at 11am at St. Joseph catholic Chruch in Upland California.Graveside prayers will be at 1:31 pm Friday may 2 Area #6 at Riverside national Cemetery, Riverside.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Catholic Charities, USA. Stone Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. *P. 72-73 "On Final Approach" by WASP Byrd Granger
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Lovelle Richards Benesh, 43-W-1

October 23, 1919 - April 20, 2008

WASP MARTHA 'MARTY' LAWSON VOLKOMENER, 43-W-4

WASP MARTHA 'MARTY' LAWSON VOLKOMENER, 43-W-4
November 1, 1920 - April 17, 2008

"I was born November 1, 1920, in Charleston, West Virginia. I decided I wanted to fly when I was seven years old. That was when Lindberg flew across the Atlantic. It was nothing but a dream until the summer after my sophomore year at West Virginia Wesleyan. I got into the summer class at Kanawha Flying School (seaplanes) in Charleston, West Virginia, and got my private license. I graduated from Wesleyan in 1942, and worked for Thomas, Field & Co. (a wholesale dry good store) in Charleston until late February of 1943. I didn't know how they knew about me, but the WASP contacted me. i had one landing in a land plane, as all my time, 85 hours, was in seaplanes."

"I reported to Sweetwater in early March of 1943, in class 43-4. I was assigned to Camp Davis, North Carolina, for the tow target squadron. I was then sent to Liberty Field at Camp Stewart. Both were antiaircraft training bases. I flew the L-2, L-5, A-24 (SBD), A-25 (SB2C Helldivers), BT-13, and all Twin Beechcrafts, (C-45, AT-7, AT-11, B-34, PQ-8, and PQ-14. I was active in the radio control program."

"After deactivation, I worked as an aircraft communicator, CAA in Montana, Idaho and Washington. I remained active in flying during this period, but stopped when I married Ed Volkomener, January 14, 1950. Ed was in charge of maintaining the electronic aids to aviation with the FAA, until he retired in 1972. I renewed my teacher's certificate and taught in the Catholic schools in Great Falls for a few years. I also was very active in the Campfire Girls program there. I also sang in my church choir and was a soloist.

We have three children: Margaret Nygard and Mark Volkomener, both in the Great Falls, Montana area, and Lucy Linn-Mckie with US Bank in Seattle, Washington. We have six grandsons and one great granddaughter."

"We moved to "The Pines" on Fort Peck Lake when Ed retired in 1972. He died in 1984. I have remained at the lake and have been going to Corpus Christi, Texas in the winter. However, I plan to go into a retirement home in Glasgow this winter of 1998...and will keep the cabin to be out here during good weather."

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"In her own words" taken from "OUT OF THE BLUE and INTO HISTORY" by WASP Betty Stagg Turner.

Photo of Marty during her training at Avenger Field. Signed photo was featured download on the USAF site.

Martha died April 17, 2008 at the age of 87. Services are pending. More information will be posted as it becomes available.

WASP EVELYN STEWART JACKSON, 43-W-6

WASP EVELYN STEWART JACKSON, 43-W-6

WASP Evelyn Stewart Jackson was born February 17, 1917 on a ranch in Globe, Arizona, 80 miles east of Phoenix. Her childhood was filled with great adventures, riding horses and helping her dad tend the cattle. Since there was no running water, she would water the horses by hauling buckets from the spring. For all the hard work, there were fun jobs, roundups, rodeos and chuck wagons--just like in the movies.

Always interested in flying, she signed up to be a part of the CPT program in Globe. After completing the program, she received her private pilot license. Evelyn also attended the Desert Parachute School in Phoenix, and received her rigger's license and for a time, was employed as a parachute packer at Arizona Gliding Academy at Wickenburg, Arizona.

In 1943, she applied and was accepted for training into the WASP class of 43-W-6 and graduated, earning her silver wings October 9, 1943.

She was stationed at Enid Army Air Base, Enid, Oklahoma, a basic training base for Army Air Force cadets. At Enid, she flew basic trainers (BT-13, BT-15) as an engineering test and utility pilot.

After the WASP were deactivated, Evelyn married Frank Jackson, a ranch manager in Arizona. She enjoyed working with him and never lost her love of horses or the outdoors.

Evelyn continued to live in the home she shared with Frank after he passed away in 1984.

In November of 2001, Wings Across America traveled to Apache Junction, Arizona, where the City Manager loaned us her office in the Chamber of Commerce building. It was there we met and interviewed Evelyn, who, like many WASP, lived a private life, never boasting about her time serving her country. What a delightful experience it was to introduce the only WASP in town to the President of the Chamber of Commerce. All the city employees came out to meet Evelyn and shake her hand.

As the interview began, Evelyn gently opened the scrapbook filled with her memories of horses, flying, friends, parachutes and roundups. Even though she appeared almost frail, we soon learned of her aerobics, yoga, Tai Chi and her belly dancing classes.

On that special day in November, it was an honor to spend time with this lovely and quiet lady--and I don't think she would mind at all if I add--this lady pilot--this cowgirl.

submitted by Nancy Parrish, April 18, 2008

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Evelyn passed away on April 15, 2008. Information on services will be posted as it becomes available.

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Posted by Wings Across America--honoring and remembering the WASP

WASP ROSE ALICE PALMER, 44-W-6

In 1999, WASP Rose Palmer came to Waco, Texas to visit with her old baymate, WASP Anita Paul (AKA Sister Teresa). Even though they had not seen each other for over 50 years, it was as if time stood still. The young girls they used to be crept out in the whispers, the laughter and the friendship that could never grow old.

The next year, Rose came back to Waco, to the studios at Baylor Film & Digital Media for an interview with Wings Across America. Being on camera was not something she was used to, but, after a few minutes, she warmed up to the concept and to the opportunity to share her story.

From the Wings Across America interview with Rose Palmer:

Rose Alice Palmer was born in Fort Worth, Texas, September 30, 1921. She considered herself a tomboy, always tagging along after her older brother and his friends. Her father, who had been born enroute to America from Ireland, worked as a traveling salesman for Carson Perry Scott. When she was old enough, Rose would go along as his helper.

“I would go to town with him. He would go to the big stores in Ft Worth. If they wanted a product or whatever he had, then I would go back to the truck and get the samples and take them to him. Then at noon, he would give me my weekend allowance and I would stay downtown and go to the Worth Theatre. There were 3 big ones, the Worth, the Palace and the Hollywood. I would stay downtown then and go to the show and take the bus home.

I got a quarter for Saturday. That was a nickel for a Rockefeller hamburger, 10 cents for the show, and then it was only a nickel or a dime for the bus fare. That was Saturday’s and then I would get the other quarter for the week. So, I got 50 cents a week. But that was all you needed!”

Her most memorable teacher was Mrs. Noble, the math teacher. “When you took a test, she would write on the board, “First to thine own self be true,” and she’d leave the room. There would be no supervision at all, and nobody cheated! I don’t know of any student in the class that didn’t really respect and look up to her.”

Rose spent her freshman year of college at Texas Christian University as a Chemistry major, but in 1936, after her father was killed in an automobile accident, she began working in a book store to pay her tuition. Her sophomore year, she transferred to the University of Texas, where she could take classes in architecture and accounting.

After America entered World War II, Rose began working at an aircraft factory (later Lockheed Martin). She called it ”experimental engineering.” She was one of only 3 women engineers. As she described her primary job: “...just what was needed to get any problems that they were having designing the B24’s. They were having some problems with the tail turret, so that was our baby! I designed the tail gunner turret…the back of the plane. They were having trouble with it, and they assigned it to me to redesign it, which I did.”

Her first time in an airplane? “Oh, I loved it! I thought that was great…I gotta be doing this. I soloed and took to it quite readily. I really got the job to get money to pay for my time."

After being accepted into the WASP training program, class 44-W-6, Rose was assigned to her first flight instructor—a man she describes as “the mad Russian.” According to Rose, they didn’t get along. She finally had to tell him, “If you want to tell me something you can tell me without the expletives…without cussing. All you have to do is suggest it or tell me what you want. Don’t yell at me.”

After graduating and earning her silver WASP wings, Rose was sent to Courtland AAB, Alabama, but only stayed 2 weeks. Her next assignment was to Buckingham AAB in Florida—where she trained to fly tow target missions in the B-26 “Martin Marauder”. One of her fondest memories is when her brother came down from Orlando. “The tower called, we were taxiing out, but we hadn’t gotten on the taxi strips. I said, “Tell him to pull up in front of the tower there and hop aboard.” He said , “No thank you. Your brother does not desire to fly in a 26!” According to Rose, the B-26 was her favorite airplane.

After the WASP were deactivated, Rose flew several ferry trips to an airplane graveyard in Wickenburg, Arizona. She signed up for the USAF Reserves and reported to Carswell, where she ran the Link Training Department. Later, during Korea, she served as Assistant Adjutant at Carswell, eventually Assistant to the Chief of Personnel for the 8th Air Force—in Bangor, Maine.

In May of 1945, Rose went to work for Delta Airlines—and continued working for the company until she retired in 1983. At Delta, Rose's main job was as “OPERATIONS AGENT”—as she describes it: "Well, you met the planes, you figured the passengers…then you went by weight….the DC3s, you figured your loads, you got the mail, you got the passengers, you got the baggage. You figured how much gas they can carry, you dispatch the planes.”

This wonderful WASP was a kind, gentle soul, who believed she could do anything and did--but she did it quietly, no fuss --just hard work, determination and persistence. We are forever grateful to her for her kindness and still remember the sparkle in her eyes as she described flying—everything about flying. The other thing that made her sparkle? Her little black dog.

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Written and submitted by Nancy Parrish, April 7, 2008. Information and quotes from Wings Across America interview with Rose Palmer, 2000

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From the Fort Worth Star Telegram:

Rose passed away on April 1, 2008, at a Fort Worth nursing home. She was a member of University Christian Church. She was preceded in death by her brother, Sam L. Palmer. Survivors: Her sister-in-law, Nancy Palmer; nephew, Jim Palmer; niece, Sally Palmer; great-nephew, David Palmer, all of Fort Worth; great-nephew, John Palmer Truelson of Boston, Mass.; and numerous cousins.