The Army currently does not permit Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) to be interred at Arlington National Cemetery

With Faribault, Minnesota home to one of the last remaining WASPs, Klobuchar today sent a letter to the Secretaries of Defense and Army requesting that the Army allow the brave women who flew missions during World War II to have their ashes laid to rest at the cemetery

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar is calling on the U.S. Army to allow female World War II pilots to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC). The Army currently does not permit Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) to be interred at ANC. Klobuchar today sent a letter to the Secretaries of Defense and Army requesting that the Army allow the brave women who flew missions during World War II to have their ashes laid to rest at the cemetery. Minnesota is home to one of the last remaining WASPs. Elizabeth Strofus, a 95 year old native of Faribault, taught male cadets how to fly warplanes and ferried B-17 bombers across the country during World War II,

“During World War II more than 1,000 Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) served in the United States military,” Klobuchar wrote. “They test-flew repaired military planes and trained combat pilots. These brave women shouldn't have to fight for the honor and the privilege they earned to be interred at Arlington National Cemetery. It is my hope that the Department of the Army will not make these heroes fight yet another battle, and I respectfully request that the Army allow these women the opportunity to be interred at Arlington Cemetery if they so choose.”

The full text of the senator’s letter is available below:

Dear Secretary Carter and Acting Secretary Fanning:

I write to request the Army allow the brave women who flew missions during World War II to have their ashes laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. 

During World War II more than 1,000 Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) served in the United States military. They test-flew repaired military planes and trained combat pilots. Thirty-eight WASPs died in the line of duty. It took the United States 33 years to grant these courageous women status as veterans and another 25 years for the Army to recognize those contributions with eligibility for burial at Arlington Cemetery Unfortunately, in March of 2015 Secretary McHugh reversed the 2002 directive allowing WASPs to have their ashes interred at Arlington.

I understand Arlington National Cemetery has limited space for burial. However, allowing WASPs to be buried at Arlington would not significantly impact the cemetery’s capacity because there are very few WASPs still living.

Minnesota is home to one of the last remaining WASPs, Elizabeth Strofus. Ms. Strofus is a 95 year old native of Faribault, Minnesota. After the bombing at Pearl Harbor, Ms. Strofus volunteered to be a gunner pilot but was instead given the job of teaching male cadets how to fly warplanes and ferrying B-17 bombers around the country. Ms. Strofus and the other WASPs served bravely and earned a spot in Arlington.

These brave women shouldn't have to fight for the honor and the privilege they earned to be interred at Arlington National Cemetery. It is my hope that the Department of the Army will not make these heroes fight yet another battle, and I respectfully request that the Army allow these women the opportunity to be interred at Arlington Cemetery if they so choose.

Thank you for your consideration of this important matter. 

 

###