N E W S
| June 16, 2009 |
| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, joined House Colleagues in passing a bill that he sponsored to award the Women Air Service Pilots (WASPs) of World War II the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor the United States Congress can bestow. The Senate passed the bill by unanimous consent on May 20. “The clock of is ticking for surviving Women Air Service Pilots who have been unrecognized for too long," said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “These women helped pave the way for a modern military in which women can serve in every branch of the United States Armed Forces. They gave their lives for their country, and they deserve our recognition and appreciation.” Women Air Service Pilots were the first women in history to fly America’s military aircraft. At Montana's Malmstrom Air Force Base, WASP pilots flew B-25 Mitchell Bombers. They volunteered to serve their country at a time of great need, sometimes paying their own way through the Army Air Corps’ military flight training program. They flew more than 60 million miles in every type of aircraft on every type of mission except direct combat missions, and 38 of them lost their lives serving their country. “I'm glad we were able to quickly send this important bill to President Obama for his signature,” said Rehberg. |
