Artifacts from the Archives
Every time the Archive staff opens a new collection, it is a new adventure.
We never know what treasures we are going to find.
Katherine “Kay” Applegate Dussaq
Katherine “Kay” Applegate Dussaq was born in Washington and answered her country’s call with courage and conviction. In August 1943, she joined the WASP as part of Class 44-1 at Avenger Field — one of the brave women who took to the skies in service of freedom.
After earning her wings, Kay was stationed at Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Randolph Army Air Base in San Antonio, Texas; and at the Flying Training Command Headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. Dedicated and forward-thinking, she worked tirelessly to help her fellow WASP find new opportunities as the program neared disbandment.
While in Washington, D.C., she met with Jacqueline Cochran and later planned to meet Nancy Love in Cincinnati. During that time, Kay’s determination helped secure commercial licenses from the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) for active duty WASP — a lasting victory for the women who served.
Tragically, while flying her AT-6 near New Castle, Ohio, Kay encountered bad weather and suffered engine failure. She was one of 38 WASP who gave their lives in service to the United States.
Kay’s story reflects the perseverance, courage, and sense of duty that defined the WASP. Like more than a thousand other women, she answered the call to serve — flying military aircraft, testing new planes, and proving that skill and dedication know no gender.
This Veterans Day, we honor Katherine “Kay” Applegate Dussaq and all who have worn our nation’s uniform — the women and men whose service safeguarded freedom and advanced opportunity for generations to come.
At the National WASP WWII Museum, we are proud to preserve the stories of these remarkable women. Their bravery reminds us that service takes many forms, and their legacy continues to inspire those who follow in their flight path. As we celebrate Veterans Day, we invite you to visit our newly added memorial wall in the museum’s garden — honoring the 38 WASP who gave their lives in service to our nation — and to join us in paying tribute to all veterans whose courage and commitment have shaped our shared history.
Back to School with the WASP: A Look Inside the Classroom
As the back-to-school season kicks off, we’re taking a moment to highlight the academic side of training for the WASP Featured this month are class notes from Solange D’Hooghe, a member of class 43-W-5.
WASP trainees at Avenger Field, followed a demanding schedule that included both flight school and ground school each day. In ground school, they studied a wide range of subjects essential to becoming a military pilot—such as aircraft mechanics, Morse code, navigation, and meteorology.
Solange’s notes provide a firsthand glimpse into the technical knowledge these women were expected to master. Topics include the Theory of Flight, Morse Code, Meteorology, and the Fundamentals of Air Cooling. These pages remind us of the intellectual rigor behind the WASP legacy and the dedication it took to earn their wings.
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WASP Florence “Shutsy” Reynolds' Commemorative EAA's Airventure banners
The WASP have long held a place of honor at EAA’s AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI, the world’s largest annual aviation gathering. For many of the WASP, AirVenture felt like a second home—a place where their contributions to aviation history were not only recognized but celebrated by generations of pilots and enthusiasts alike.
Each year, the event featured commemorative banners dedicated to the WASP, proudly displayed to honor their service and legacy. These banners served a dual purpose: they were both memorials to the past and interactive exhibits, inviting visitors to leave personal messages, signatures, and reflections. In doing so, attendees became active participants in preserving the memory of these trailblazing women.
Thanks to the dedication of WASP Florence “Shutsy” Reynolds (Class 44-W-5), a tireless advocate for remembering the service of her fellow pilots, several of these banners have been preserved. The collection includes banners from the years 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003—each one bearing witness to the deep admiration and respect held by the aviation community.
Special thanks to Wings Across America for generously donating Shutsy’s collection. These meaningful artifacts will continue to educate and inspire future generations, ensuring the legacy of the WASP remains a vital part of aviation history.