Mary Anna Martin was born on January 24, 1922, in Liberty, Indiana to Reverend Sumner L. and Bernice Smith Martin. In 1939, she graduated from Shields High School in Seymour, Indiana. In 1943, she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in bacteriology from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Marty wanted to support the war effort and learned about the creation of the WASP program. Her father insisted that she graduate from college first. After completing her degree, Marty began her journey in flying lessons and soloed at Sky Harbor in Indianapolis. Upon completion, she applied and was accepted into WASP class 44-W-10, the last class to grace Avenger Field. The class of 68 women graduated on December 7, 1944, two weeks before the program was deactivated.
After deactivation, she returned to Indiana and worked as a pilot for the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. She married a young pilot trainee, Eugene (Gene) Wyall, and they moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where they raised Hereford cattle and operated C&E Aviation. Marty owned and operated the first woman air taxi business in Indiana and raised five children. She was instrumental in reuniting and organizing the WASP members and became the permanent historian in 1978.
She received many awards and acknowledgments, including the Women In Aviation International Hall of Fame, Fort Wayne Master Gardener, and was recognized as a volunteer for 20 years at Lawton Park Greenhouse.
Written by: Ann Haub | Collections Director
Photos courtesy: National WASP WWII Museum Archives
Archives Contact:
Partner with the WASP Archive in achieving its mission to collect, protect, preserve, and provide access to materials that chronicle the WASP story, its legacy, and the personal and professional lives of its pilots. New artifacts are always welcome. Please call Ann Haub at 325-235-0099 or by emailing her at ann@waspmuseum.org.
