MARCH 24 Senate bill introduced to militarize women pilots. WASP told they will soon be
commissioned. Must go through Officers' Training School.

MARCH THRU JUNE Drew Pearson, noted male columnist, wages war on WASP. Over several
months, he devoted several columns to the WASP, demanding their deactivation. Male civilian
pilots form a lobby to attack the WASP militarization bill.

APRIL 13 Class 44-9 arrives for training (107 trainees).

APRIL 15 Class 44-3 graduates. 100 entered, 57 graduate.

APRIL 19 Preparing to be officers in the Army Air Forces, the first class of 50 WASP enter AAF School
of Applied Tactics in Orlando, Fla. (Officer's Training School).

APRIL Anti-WASP campaign waged by media to aid CAA contract school instructors to protect them
against being drafted into the walking Army.

APRIL 29 NY Daily News charges of WASP 'jumping the gun' on Congress.

MAY 2 Public response to vigor of anti-WASP campaign: positive.

MAY 4 Office of Secretary of WAR issues orders: 'All releases about women pilots be stopped while
militarization legislation is pending.' WASP ordered not to respond to the vicious printed attacks.

MAY WASP assigned to be part of new experimental high altitude flying program testing how using
oxygen affects women pilots. WASP enter special sealed high-altitude chamber and pass with flying
colors. 2 WASP check out in B-29, to prove to hesitant male pilots it was safe to fly. Instructor: Col.
Paul Tibbets.

MAY 5 Avenger drops its "318th AAF-FTD" designation and changes to "2563rd Base Unit" to ensure
easy compliance with all matters military, if militarization is approved,

MAY 12 First WASP class completes officer's training at Orlando, Fla.

MAY 23 Class 44-4 graduates. 103 entered, 53 graduated.

MAY 26 Class 44-10 arrives for training.

JUNE 6 Gen. Arnold in Europe coordinating battle plans with Gen. Eisenhower “D-Day" The Allied
invasion of Europe commences just after midnight.

JUNE 21 WASP militarization bill defeated in Congress: 188 to 169. Bill goes back to committee for
studying proposed amendments . Hearing on HR 4219 lasts less than 1 hour. Defeated. Future
classes in Officer's Training at Orlando canceled. House report recommends immediate
discontinuance of WASP training program, except for those already in training.

JUNE 26 Arnold orders WASP discontinued in Dec. 1944. Class 45-1 start reporting to Avenger Field.
Must return home at own expense. 12

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