Less than two weeks before Memorial Day, U.S. lawmakers cleared the way for female pilots from World War II to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, the vast military cemetery just outside Washington.
The House of Representatives and Senate both unanimously approved legislation co-sponsored by San Diego Rep. Susan Davis to allow the cremated remains of about 1,100 women who served as Women Airforce Service Pilots, or WASPs, in the 1940s to be buried there.
“I’m thrilled to see the Senate pass the WASP Act,” said Davis, Ranking Member of the Military Personnel Subcommittee.“These amazing women who helped win World War II deserve access to Arlington Cemetery and the full honors we give our war heroes.
“It is an injustice that they are being denied access to Arlington, which has always been considered a special place of honor. If you are laid to rest in Arlington, it is known that you sacrificed to protect and preserve our democracy.”
Davis and Rep. Martha McSally of Arizona introduced the WASP Act. Sen. Joni Enrst of Iowa and Sen. Barbara Mikulski of Marylnad introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
The WASPs performed training and transport missions in the United States during the conflict so male pilots could be sent overseas. Thirty-eight WASP women died during their service.
Unlike male veterans, however, they could not be interred at Arlington, the best-known but very crowded U.S. military cemetery, because authorities have insisted their service was not the same as active duty.
