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ASPEN — Aspen icons Ruth Brown and Betty Pfister were among the women who received the Congressional Gold Medal in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday for their contributions to the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) in World War II.
The women received little recognition during the war even though they flew military aircraft under the direction of the U.S. Army Air Forces. They were awarded military status in 1977 and the World War II Victory Medal in 1984. A new law made effective in July 2009 determined that the women should receive the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor that Congress can give, according to U.S. Sen. Mark Udall.
Most of the 300 WASPs still living attended the Gold Medal ceremony along with their families, Udall's office reported. Ten of the women hail from Colorado.
The women received little recognition during the war even though they flew military aircraft under the direction of the U.S. Army Air Forces. They were awarded military status in 1977 and the World War II Victory Medal in 1984. A new law made effective in July 2009 determined that the women should receive the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor that Congress can give, according to U.S. Sen. Mark Udall.
Most of the 300 WASPs still living attended the Gold Medal ceremony along with their families, Udall's office reported. Ten of the women hail from Colorado.
