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.

Do you know these ladies?

We need your help!

The Archive recently received two photos from a follower who found these photos in her husband’s WWII collection and kindly sent them to the museum in hopes that we could use them.  Our answer is, of course we can!

A handwritten note was attached to the photos identifying the owner of the originals as Patricia Houran 44-W-10.  The archive staff examined the photo of the WASP wearing a leather jacket and flight helmet, but the woman does not appear to be Patricia Houran Rideout compared to the class picture we have listed for her.

We need your help identifying the WASP in these photos.  Please contact Ann, our Collection’s Manager, if you have any information on who any of these ladies might be.  Call the WASP Museum at 325-235-0099 during business hours or send an email to ann@waspmuseum.org.

We are grateful for any information you’re able to give.  Thank you!

Shutsy's handmade jewelry

In March 4, 1923, Florence Genevieve Shutsy was born to John and Anna Shutsy in Connellsville, Pennsylvania.  Her last name, Shutsy, became her nickname and well known to all who knew her.

On December 7, 1941, a catastrophic event took place when the Japanese attacked the Pearl Harbor base in Hawaii, and it had a significant impact on the entire nation. Like the rest of the country, many small towns across America experienced a surge of patriotism in the aftermath of the attack. Young men were eager to sign up and do their part in the war effort, while young women, in their own way, also looked for ways to contribute.

In one such small town, a young woman named Shutsy saw an advertisement in the newspaper for the last Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) program. Intrigued by the opportunity, she decided to apply and was accepted. She completed the ground school, and after studying hard, she took the civilian pilot written test and scored in the top two.

After her solo flight, Shutsy learned about the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) training program. This program was designed to train women pilots to help with non-combat missions during the war effort. She immediately applied, went through the rigorous interview process, completed a thorough physical, and passed all the tests with flying colors. She was accepted into class 44-W-5, where she received further training and honed her flying skills, ready to contribute to the war effort in any way she could.

Photos: Florence Shutsy Reynolds
44-W-5

After the WASP were disbanded on December 20, 1944, Shutsy became part of the Army Air Communication Service out of Anchorage and Alaska district. While in Alaska, she met her future husband, Lyle A. Reynolds.  On July 7, 1949, she joined the USAF Reserves as a 2nd Lieutenant. She was eventually promoted to Captain in October 1956. She and Lyle married in 1952 and they lived in Panama Canal Zone for 16 years. She resigned her commission in October 1960. During her time in Panama, Shutsy blossomed as an artist and silversmith.

After Lyle retired and her father passed away, Shutsy and Lyle moved back to Connellsville, Pennsylvania. They started making jewelry as a hobby which eventually turned into a jewelry shop. After Lyle passed away in 1988, Shutsy became more involved in the National WASP WWII Organization and volunteered to manage the WASP WWII Stores. She spent the next 20-plus years creating and reproducing exquisite silver wings and WASP jewelry to help preserve the history of the WASP.

Photo: Shutsy's Fifinella Charm

Photos: Shutsy's Fifinella Charm Mold

TELEGRAMS FROM MABEL VIRGINIA RAWLINSON 43-W-3

We truly never know what a collection contains until we open
it.

The archive has recently added to its collection the invaluable and poignant belongings of Mabel Virginia Rawlinson, a brave and trailblazing member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots, who made the ultimate sacrifice during her service in World War II. Mabel Rawlinson, of class 43-W-3, is one of the 38 WASP members who lost their lives in the line of duty, leaving behind a legacy of courage, determination, and devotion to their country that will never be forgotten.

Mabel lost her life on August 23, 1943, in a plane crash at Camp Davis, North Carolina. She was aboard an A-24 attack bomber that was on its final approach to land when the landing gear collided with the tops of tall trees surrounding the airfield. The impact caused the plane to nose down, crash onto the ground, and split into two pieces. Unfortunately, Mabel was trapped inside the wreckage and did not survive.

 

Her collection includes personal letters written by Mabel, photos, and military orders during her time as a WASP at Avenger Field and Camp Davis, N.C. Included are telegrams sent to her family after her tragic death. The 16 original telegrams chronicle correspondence with her family from the time of her death to the memorial services. It is very rare to find such a complete record.

Photos: Telegrams from Mabel Virginia Rawlinson's Collection