WASP Class 44-W-1

Dates: August 9, 1943-February 11, 1944

Number of Trainees: 99 trainees, 49 graduates

Place: Avenger Field, Sweetwater, Texas

Graduates were resplendent in the official Santiago Blue Uniform making its first appearance. Trainees continued to wear the traditional ‘general’s pants’, white shirts and flight caps. This graduation also inaugurated the class songs which were to be a highlight of all future graduations.

Graduation Speaker: Brigadier General Kenneth P. McNaughton, Assistant Chief of Staff, AAF Training Command

Master of Ceremonies: Lieutenant William H. LaRue, Physical Training Officer, 318th AAFFTD, Avenger Field, Sweetwater, Texas

Distinguished Guests: 

• Brigadier General J. C. Bartholf, Commanding General of Special Troops, Camp Swift, Texas (General Bartholf's daughter was a member of the graduating class.)
• Mrs. Ethel Sheehy, Special Field Assistant to Director of Women Pilots

View images of all pilots from this class