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Dreier Votes To Honor Women World War II Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas, CA) voted today to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Air Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II. S. 614 was approved unanimously. Congressman Dreier is an original cosponsor of the House version of this legislation, H.R. 2014.
“As the first women in history to fly American military aircraft, the WASP exemplify the spirit of the Congressional Gold Medal,” Dreier said. "Their service and sacrifice were extraordinary and I am proud that we are honoring them today. At a time when there was a strong bias against female pilots, these women served their country with honor.”
The WASP collectively flew over 60 million miles, on every type of assignment flown by male Army Air Forces pilots, with the exception of combat missions. More than 300 WASP are still living today, including five in Congressman Dreier’s district. One WASP, Ms. Pearl Judd of Alta Loma, is also participating in the Veterans History Project which collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans.
Since 2004, Congressman Dreier's office has collected over 400 personal stories from veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans and family members of all generations are encouraged to contact Congressman Dreier's office at (909) 575-6226 to schedule an interview to give first-hand recollections of their military experiences, as well as any photographs, correspondence or memorabilia they would like to share. Remembrances will be preserved by the Library of Congress where they will be stored and accessed by future generations. Interviews will be held starting Monday, July 6th through Friday, July 17th in the Congressman's San Dimas office.
Dreier continued, "I am proud to have so many of our veterans, including Ms. Judd who has such a unique place in our nation’s history as a WASP, participate in the Veterans History Project and know that we, and generations of Americans still to come, will greatly benefit from the lives and stories of our nation's greatest treasure, our veterans."