Gertrude Tompkins Silver facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gertrude Tompkins Silver
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Gertrude Tompkins Silver WASP photo.
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Gertrude Vreeland Tompkins
October 16, 1911 Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
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| Disappeared | October 26, 1944 (aged 33) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Status | Missing for 80 years, 8 months and 2 days |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Pilot |
| Era | World War II |
| Organization | Women Airforce Service Pilots |
| Spouse(s) | Henry Silver |
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Graduated WASP Class 43-W-7
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Gertrude "Tommy" Tompkins Silver was a brave American pilot. She was part of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) during World War II. Sadly, she is the only WASP member who went missing during the war. She disappeared on October 26, 1944.
Early Life of Gertrude Tompkins
Gertrude Vreeland Tompkins was born on October 16, 1911. Her hometown was Jersey City, New Jersey. Her father, Vreeland Tompkins, started a company called Smooth-On, Inc. Later, her family moved to Summit, New Jersey.
Gertrude went to the Ambler School of Horticulture. After graduating, she moved to New York City. She decided to join the WASP program after her boyfriend passed away. He had taught her how to fly. He later died while flying for the Royal Air Force, which was the air force of the United Kingdom.
Disappearance and Search Efforts
On October 26, 1944, Gertrude took off from Mines Field. This airport is now known as Los Angeles International Airport. She was flying a North American Aviation P-51 Mustang, a powerful fighter plane. Her destination was Palm Springs, California. From there, she planned to fly to New Jersey.
However, Gertrude never arrived in Palm Springs. Because of some reporting mistakes, the search for her did not begin until three days later. Many people searched for her on the ground and in the water. Despite their efforts, no trace of Gertrude or her plane was ever found.
Later Search Attempts
In January 2010, new attempts were made to find the possible crash site. Searchers looked in Santa Monica Bay, which is near Los Angeles. Unfortunately, these efforts were also unsuccessful. Gertrude Tompkins Silver remains missing to this day.
