Lois Auchterlonie learned to fly, risked her life and earned a proud place in American history.
As a member of the corps of Women Airforce Service Pilots during World War II, she was among the first female fliers of U.S. military planes.
“It was fun to do it,” the 92-year-old said Friday. “Sometimes, when an engine sounded a little funny, you just hoped you’d make it.”
At the end of a whirlwind week that took her to Washington, D.C., and back home to her Lake Stevens retirement community, Auchterlonie held a treasure in her hand. She and the others known as WASPs were recognized Wednesday with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress.
Recognition was a long time coming.
Women Airforce Service Pilots, according to the Associated Press, were not given veteran status until 1977. Almost 2,000 women served. Thirty-eight of the women were killed during World War II service, and about 900 have died since. Surviving family members gathered in Emancipation Hall at the Capitol on Wednesday with about 200 WASPs, most in their late 80s or 90s.
Guilia Watier, Auchterlonie’s great-niece, accompanied the former flier to the ceremony, along with Watier’s mother, Linda Auchterlonie.
“Isn’t it beautiful? It’s huge and heavy,” said Watier, 46, as she sat with her great-aunt Friday and lifted the medal in its display box. Watier explained that one medal, made of gold, will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution, while the women took home solid bronze.
After so many years, Lois Auchterlonie struggles a bit as she sorts through a lifetime of memories.
Watier said her great-aunt grew up on a farm near Viola, Kan. She was eager to sign up after Army Air Force Lt. Gen. Henry “Hap” Arnold, encouraged by famous female aviator Jackie Cochran, gave the green light for women to fly for the military. Women flew noncombat missions, delivering planes to bases and testing aircraft, with the idea of freeing up men to go fight the war, Watier said.
Her great-aunt was trained at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas. “She stayed on U.S. soil,” Watier said. “She talks about ferrying planes and making deliveries.”
When the WASPs were disbanded in 1944, Watier said, Lois Dobbins — she didn’t marry until her 40s — lived in Boston and worked before marrying Charles Auchterlonie. The couple lived for many years in Anacortes. Lois Auchterlonie is now a widow.
Along with other former WASPs, Auchterlonie was honored in 1999 at the Arlington Fly-In. There, she told a Herald reporter that at first a commanding officer at her base refused to allow women near the planes. “Our CO thought women should still be in the kitchen,” she said in 1999.
At Wednesday’s ceremony, Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., called the WASPs “unsung members of the greatest generation.”
“These women brought about a historic change in our armed services and our nation,” said Cantwell, who with fellow Democrat Sen. Patty Murray was among sponsors of legislation to honor the pilots. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi presented medals to about 200 women, including 11 from Washington.
Marge Neyman Martin, of Oak Harbor, wasn’t able to make the trip, but her son was. Fred Smyth is expected to deliver her Congressional Gold Medal this week.
Martin, 88, is a former WASP whose story was featured in The Herald last May, when legislation to honor the women was before a Senate committee.
“With the war effort, they were looking for people to do everything,” Martin said Friday. “And it looked like such a tremendously fun thing to do.”
Watier said the medal was a thrill, but it was seeing other fliers that meant the world to Auchterlonie.
“My mom and I were moved to tears seeing her reconnect with these women,” she said.
Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460, muhlstein@heraldnet.com.
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