Bernice Falk Haydu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bernice Falk Haydu
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Bernice Haydu at Maxwell Air Force Base, June 5, 2014
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| Born | 15 December 1920 Montclair |
| Died | 30 January 2021 (aged 100) |
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| Occupation | Aircraft pilot |
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Bernice "Bee" S. Falk Haydu (born December 15, 1920 – died January 30, 2021) was an amazing American pilot. She was part of a special group called the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) during World War II. Bee continued to fly and worked hard to support other women pilots throughout her life.
Contents
A Life in the Sky
Growing Up and Learning to Fly
Bernice Falk was born in December 1920 in Montclair, New Jersey. She finished high school there in 1938. While working as a secretary, she started taking flying lessons on weekends. Her brother was in the Army Air Force, and she soon discovered she loved flying too! In 1944, she went to Sweetwater, Texas, for special WASP flight training.
Flying for Her Country
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After finishing her training in March 1944, Bee Falk was sent to Pecos Army Airfield. Her job was to test planes and fly them for different tasks. She worked there for the rest of the WASP program during the war.
After the War
After World War II ended, Bee Haydu kept flying. She moved planes from one place to another. She also opened a business that sold Cessna airplanes. She even owned a flight school with some other pilots who had served in the war. Bee also worked for a company that sold airplane parts.
She loved to perform in airshows and took part in two Powder Puff Derbies. These were air races just for women pilots! In 1971, she was hurt while riding as a passenger in an airshow flight.
Fighting for Recognition
Bee Haydu became a leader for women pilots. From 1975 to 1978, she was the president of the Order of Fifinella. This was a group for women who had been WASPs. During her time as president, the WASPs were finally recognized as veterans by the United States Congress. This was a very important step!
From 1978 to 1980, she was also the president of Women Military Aviators. In 2009, she was one of only three surviving WASPs who met President Barack Obama. He gave the Congressional Gold Medal to all the WASPs for their brave service. In 2015, Bee Haydu received a special honorary degree from Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology.
Family and Lasting Impact
Bee Falk married another pilot, Joe Haydu, in 1951. They had three children together. She became a widow in 2001 and later lived in Florida.
In 2008, Bee Haydu wrote a book about her experiences during World War II. It was called Letters Home 1944-1945. She gave many of her personal items and shared her stories with the Library of Congress. She also donated materials to the Texas Women's University.
You can find a special plaque honoring Bee Falk Haydu at the Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of New Jersey at Teterboro Airport. Her WASP uniform is also on display at the National Air and Space Museum. In her later years, Bee traveled with a group called The Greatest Generations Foundation. This group helps honor the brave people who served in World War II.
Bee Haydu turned 100 years old on December 15, 2020. She passed away the next month, on January 30, 2021.
See also
In Spanish: Bernice Falk Haydu para niños
