11-04-2005Every day serving as a Woman’s Air Force Service Pilot during World War II was a challenge, Margaret J. Ringenberg told Warsaw Community High School students Thursday.
But 62 years later, she recalls it with fondness. She wrote the book “Girls Can’t Be Pilots” and was featured in Tom Brokaw’s book, “The Greatest Generation.”
WCHS hosted a veteran’s program Thursday with Ringenberg as featured speaker. The program also included posting of the colors, singing by the choir, the band playing anthems of the Armed Forces, an explanation of the Pledge of Allegiance, a moment of silence and the playing of “Taps.”
As a WASP, Ringenberg (born in 1921) said she tested new airplanes right off the assembly line as well as transported military personnel. She never flew outside the United States, but loved to fly.
She said, “To me, it means I had a real privilege to serve my country. And I got to do what I love to do.”
During an interview after the high school convocation, Ringenberg said she decided to join WASPs after receiving a telegram saying her services were needed. If interested, she was to report to Chicago. The Army Air Corps needed pilots. By that time, had her pilot’s license for about a year.
Ringenberg and three others made the trip to Chicago together – one of the girls was told by her parents she’d be disinherited if she went, which she did. The train ride to Chicago was Ringenberg’s first train ride. Her second train ride was to Texas for training.
Although not allowed to fly combat missions, WASPs served grueling, often dangerous, tours of duty. Ferrying, test flying and target towing were risky activities, and some WASP pilots suffered injuries. Thirty-eight were killed in the course of duty. During WWII these women were employed by the U.S. Civil Service and did not have officers commission, benefits and pay of the military.
Ringenberg said she wore the uniforms and was issued a gun like the military. “I thought I was in the military.” But in 1944, she found that not to be the case as the war was winding down and WASPs were told they no longer were needed. Afterwards, however, she signed up for the Reserves, receiving a commission as a first lieutenant.
There were a total of 1,074 WASPs who received their wings.
In 1945, Ringenberg became a flight instructor and has flown as a commercial pilot. She has been racing since 1957. She completed the “Round The World Air Race” in 1994 at age 72. In 1999 she received the NAA Elder Statesman in Aviation Award in a presentation ceremony in Washington, D.C. In March 2001, she flew in a race from London, England, to Sydney, Australia.
She said those who appreciate her the most are the female pilots who came after her, including NASA astronaut Eileen Collins. Collins was the first woman pilot of a space shuttle. Upon meeting Ringenberg, Ringenberg said Collins told her that she wouldn’t be an astronaut pilot today if not for her and the women of WASP.
And the women of WASP still get together every two years, Ringenberg said.
“It has completely changed my life,” she said.