Photographer Jerry Phan, inspired by the WASP

Jerry sent us photos he took of his friends, some of whom are pilots, the first picture below is of Jerry and Iris Critchell of the WAFS which were merged with the WASP, who still flies!

"I learned about Jackie Cochran and the WASP when I was at studying at Embry-Riddle University. For me, the WASP represent what it means to be given a chance, and then taking that chance and exceeding all expectations. Their story is also about to the right to serve our nation and each other.

My connection to planes and flying is also personal. I lost my fellow pilot and friend, Holly Foster to cancer. I was also diagnosed with cancer and we were there for each other until her passing. My other two good friends that I photographed are Susie, who flies the Air Force C-17, and Jennifer Guetterman who flies the DC-3. Jennifer has aspirations to join the Air Force and I highly respect both of them.

"I hope to inspire people about the WASP through these photos. They are heroes to all of us!"

Yes they are Jerry! Thank you for sharing your inspiration and creativity!

In Their Own Words

"We live in the wind and the sand…and our eyes are on the stars." -Motto of Avenger Field

"Look at me. I say, Look at me, Riding through eternity." -Anne Noggle, WASP 44-1

"I was the happiest in the sky - at dawn when the quietness of the air was like a caress, when the noon sun beat down and at dusk when the sky was drenched with the fading light. Think of me me there and remember me..." - Cornelia Fort, WAFS

"You sat up there, and God was right there with you." -Evelyn Greenblatt Howren, WASP 43-1

"The suspense, never knowing what the next day would bring. The excitement. Excitement. That's the best word in the dictionary. - Dorothy Kocher Olson, WASP 43-4

Cornelia Fort - WASP

Cornelia Fort was born to a wealthy and prominent family in Nashville on February 5, 1919. She graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 1939. Fort showed an interest in flying at an early age and earned her pilot's license in Hawaii, became an instructor, and eventually a member of the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS).

Fort was one of the first witnesses to the attack on Pearl Harbor. On the morning of December 7th, she was instructing a student pilot in the sky over Pearl Harbor when she saw a military aircraft approach her at high speed. She immediately pulled up and noticed the rising sun on the side of the plane. Moments later she witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor. She landed the plane and she and her student ran for cover.

On March 21, 1943, the WAFS joined in maneuvers with a group of male pilots in the sky over Merkel, Texas. Both groups were given explicit instructions to fly in formation and maintain a distance of five hundred feet between planes. But one pilot decided to play games with his female counterparts. Breaking formation, he accelerated and headed toward the group. He rolled his plane around Fort's BT-13 and misjudging the distance, the wing of his plane sliced through the cockpit, fatally injuring her. Before the plane crashed into the ground, she managed to turn off the ignition to avoid being consumed by flames.

Cornelia Fort was the first female pilot to die while serving on Active Duty.