The Texas Chapter was very fortunate to be able to have Mary Alice (Putnam) Vandeventer at our Fly-In in Gainesville, Texas on October 14th and 15th, 2011. Mary Alice is one of the few remaining Women’s Airforce Service Pilots.
A native Texan, she joined the WASP ranks in 1944 and served until 1945 when the program was disbanded. These ladies contributed many important functions during the war, thereby relieving male pilots for fighting assignments. During this time and for many years after, the U.S. Government denied any formal recognition of their efforts. Only recently did the Congress and Military acknowledge and award those who served.
Mary Alice, who still lives near Abilene, was accompanied by her Daughter Teresa Dominy who also lives in that area. She was available to those who visited the Fly-In and answered questions concerning the WASP and her experiences during that time. She also was able to give a short talk after the Award Banquet to those who stayed.
On Saturday afternoon Mary Alice and Teresa were able to fly in airplanes similar to those Mary Alice trained in and flew during the war. This was possible due to the efforts and contribution of Brandon Ayers, Mike Cavanagh and Gary Sublette. It is hard to tell from the smiles on their faces, which of them enjoyed it the most, the Passengers or the Pilots.
The WASP Museum on Avenger Field at Sweetwater, Texas is in the process of trying to restore and expand the long neglected hangar and buildings where the WASP’s originally were based. As you enjoy the photos with this article, you might consider making a donation to the Museum in her name, as a thank you to Mary Alice and those other WASP’s that served. Every Pilot should try to visit this Museum. --Dick Ramsey
