Charlyne Creger was born in Noble, Oklahoma in 1918. In the 1920s, a local newspaper announced that the famous Wiley Post would take passengers for a ride in a plane for a penny a pound or a collection of bread wrappers. Charlyne didn’t have a penny, but she saved bread wrappers. Upon arrival to the plane, Charlyne was told she was too small for the seat belt.  She asked if her cousin could share a seatbelt with her, and the pilot agreed. This was Charlyne’s first flight; she was instantly hooked. After graduating High school, Charlyne became a dancer for Catherine Duffy’s Production in Oklahoma City. Then she became a model for Kickerknick Lingerie.

     Before the attack on Pearl Harbor, Charlyne worked at Douglas Aircraft as a Production Control Booth Expeditor. She received her pilot’s license in Norman, Oklahoma, and didn’t receive permission to leave and join the WASP program. Once learning this, Charlyne said she would quit her necessary war job, and go fly for her country. Charlyne reported to Avenger Field with class 44-W-10, the last WASP class. Class 44-W-10 graduated and were able to report to their field but were immediately sent home because the program was disbanded. Charlyne reported to Waco Army Air Field in Waco, Texas.

     Once the war was over, Charlyne started working at Crippled Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma. She completed nursing training at Houston’s Herman Hospital and started working at Shriner’s Hospital in Shreveport, LA. In 1951, she joined the USAF as a nurse serving during the Korean War. At the age of 35, Charlyne applied for medical school but was denied and told she would be taking a man’s place. Eventually, she became Chief of the Anesthesia Department at Earl K. Long Hospital in Baton Rouge, LA.

     This Shirt is from our Charlyne Creger collection, it was signed by various people, including WASP. The shirt also has a ribbon that says “Grand Prize Winner” the back of the tag says “from B-B’s.”