Betsy Ross Air Corps facts for kids
The Betsy Ross Air Corps was a special group of women pilots in the United States. They were formed in 1931, before World War II. Their main goal was to help the Army Air Corps and be ready for emergencies. Opal Kunz, a famous aviator (pilot), started the group during the Great Depression. She named it after Betsy Ross, a hero from the American Revolutionary War. This group was not officially part of the U.S. military.
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History
Why Was the Betsy Ross Air Corps Formed?
The Betsy Ross Air Corps was created by a pilot named Opal Kunz in 1931. She wanted to form a group of women aviators who could help the country. Kunz had hoped an earlier group, the Ninety-Nines, would focus on national defense. When they didn't, she decided to start her own organization.
What Was Their Mission?
The main purpose of the Betsy Ross Air Corps was to support the Army Air Corps. This was the group that later became the U.S. Air Force. The women wanted to help with national defense. They also aimed to be "air minutemen" for humanitarian aid during emergencies. This meant they would be ready to help quickly, like the minutemen in the Revolutionary War.
Another important goal was to teach women how to fly. This would create a group of trained women pilots who could be called upon if needed. To join, women had to be licensed pilots and U.S. citizens. Student pilots could also join as "Cadets."
Who Were Some Members?
Many brave women pilots joined the Betsy Ross Air Corps. Some of the first members included famous aviators like Pancho Barnes, Marjorie Stinson, and Ruth Elder. Other members were Mary Goodrich Jenson, May Haizlip, and Gladys O'Donnell.
The corps was organized into nine areas across the country. Each area had its own leader called a Lieutenant Commander. These areas included cities like Boston, New York, Kansas City, and Tulsa.
What Did They Do?
In May 1931, some members of the corps met with leaders from the U.S. Navy and Army Air Corps. They offered their help in case of a national emergency. The group's first main office was in Kansas City, Missouri. Later, they decided to move their headquarters to Washington, D.C.
Opal Kunz was the first commander of the corps. Her husband helped design their special symbol. The women had their own uniforms, which included tan pants, light tan shirts, and dark brown coats. They also wore a dark brown beret with their insignia. The corps even had its own song! Sometimes, people called them "The Lady Bugs" or "Ladybirds."
Kunz helped the corps grow to about 100 members. She even used her own money to keep the group going for several years. The Betsy Ross Air Corps also took part in air shows. These shows helped raise money for charities.
Later, Opal Kunz wrote to President John F. Kennedy. She explained that she had wanted to create a "Women’s Reserve Corp." While her group was not officially recognized, another pilot, Pancho Barnes, later formed the Women's Air Reserve. This group was an unofficial part of the U.S. Air Force.
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