Micky Axton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mildred Axton
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Micky Axton, 1993.
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| Nickname(s) | Micky |
| Born | January 9, 1919 Coffeyville, Kansas, U.S. |
| Died | February 6, 2010 (aged 91) Eden Prairie, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Army Air Forces |
| Unit | Women Airforce Service Pilots |
| Awards | World War II Victory Medal |
Micky Axton (born January 9, 1919 – died February 6, 2010) was an amazing American aviator. She was a brave test pilot during World War II. Micky Axton was one of the very first three Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) to be trained as a test pilot. She also made history as the first woman ever to fly a giant B-29 bomber!
Contents
Micky Axton's Early Life
Mildred Darlene Tuttle was born in Coffeyville, Kansas in 1919. Her parents were Beatrice Fletcher Tuttle and Ralph Tuttle.
First Flights and Learning to Fly
When Micky was a child, she had her first ride in an airplane. It was a Curtiss Jenny owned by a neighbor. This neighbor was part of a group called the Inman Brothers Barnstorming Flying Circus.
Micky graduated from Field Kindley High School in 1936. She then went to Coffeyville Community College. She studied math and chemistry there until 1938. Later, she transferred to Kansas State University. In 1940, she earned a teaching certificate. She then taught chemistry at Coffeyville Community College.
In 1940, Micky earned her pilot's license. She joined the Civilian Pilot Training program at Coffeyville Community College. She was the only woman in her class!
Family and Flying
Micky's great-grandmother was her very first passenger. This was right after Micky earned her pilot's license.
Her brother, Ralph "Tut" Tuttle, was also a pilot. He was a fighter pilot in World War II. He flew about 250 missions. He earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses and a Silver Star for his bravery.
Marriage and the WASP Program
Mildred Tuttle married David "Wayne" Axton on June 1, 1941. The couple made their home in Wichita, Kansas.
In 1943, Micky joined the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program. She was part of the 43-W-7 training class. After she graduated, she was sent to Pecos Army Airfield Base in Texas.
Flying for Boeing Aircraft
Micky Axton left the WASP program in April 1944. She needed to care for her mother, who had become ill. Micky then applied for a job at the Boeing aircraft factory in Wichita, Kansas. She was hired to work as a flight test engineer.
In May 1944, Micky made a historic flight. She became the first woman to fly a Boeing B-29 Superfortress. The B-29 was a huge, four-engine bomber. It was one of the biggest planes of its time. Micky remembered the flight, saying the chief flight engineer "had me crawl through the tunnel and come up and I got to fly the B-29 for about 20, 25 minutes."
Life After Flying
Micky Axton taught at East High School in Wichita, Kansas. She taught there from 1958 to 1969.
She was also a very active member of the Commemorative Air Force for forty years. Her husband, Wayne, passed away in 1998. Micky died in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, on February 6, 2010, at the age of 91.
Honors and Legacy
The Commemorative Air Force Jayhawk Wing in Wichita honored Micky. They restored a Fairchild PT-19 airplane and named it "Miss Micky."
On Victory in Europe Day in 2009, the state of Minnesota recognized its women who served in World War II. In July 2009, United States President Barack Obama signed a special bill. This bill gave the Congressional Gold Medal to all members of the Women Airforce Service Pilots. This was to honor their service to the country during World War II. Micky Axton was set to receive her Congressional Gold Medal on March 10, 2010.
