Blake Hall
The effort to compel Arlington National Cemetery to intern Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) from World War II just got a Congressional thumbs up. Again.
About 1,100 women served with the Army’s WASP unit during World War II. These chosen women flew supplies across long distances and trained male pilots. They never saw combat, but they did provide a valuable contribution to the war effort.
But WWII WASP pilots currently cannot be buried at Arlington National Cemetery alongside their fellow vets.
Army officials argue that WASP veterans do not meet the standard of active duty service required for internment. Even if they did qualify, officials say there is no room for them in the cemetery’s dwindling burial plots. The entire cemetery is expected to reach full capacity by 2030.
Yesterday, the House of Representatives voted unanimously to overturn the Army’s decision and allow WWII WASP pilots to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The legislation was passed 385-0.
This isn’t the first time Congress has stood up for these unsung heroes. In 1977, Congress retroactively granted WWII WASP pilots active-duty status so the surviving veterans could take advantage of military benefits. In 2002, it approved WASP vets for military honors and burial at Arlington.
It was only in March 2015 that Congress’ decision was reversed by Gen. John McHugh. This provoked Tiffany Miller, the granddaughter of WASP vet Elaine Harmon, to start a petition to pressure the Army to reinstate the pilots.
“The WASPs were the first American women trained to fly military aircraft,” Miller wrote in her petition. “They answered their country’s call at a time of dire need. They fought for decades to gain recognition. Their service and hard work should afford them the right to be buried alongside other veterans.”
There is no word yet when the Senate will vote on this measure.