Viewing page 4 of 140

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Since this new responsibility involved procurement for overseas areas, the OQMG in the summer of 1943 undertook a review of the uniform for the Hostess-Librarian Service. There were no patters for these items. A project was, therefore, initiated at the OQMG and subsequently transferred to the Philadelphia Depot to check the pattern and develop graded patterns suitable for use in the procurement of the overcoat, jacket, and skirt. Full sets of graded patterns for the wool, the rayon, and the seersucker uniform and for the overcoat were developed by the Depot. In the spring of 1944 a trench coat was added as an optional item of wear for the hostesses and librarians in place of the wool overcoat. This utility coat, identical with the WASP's trench coat, was made from the design of the C.B. Shane Corp. 26

No further developmental work was accomplished on hostess-librarian uniforms until the year 1944 drew to a close when consideration was given to the possibility of improving and redesigning the jacket, skirt, and cap. Thought was given to the desirability of developing a new summer uniform, particularly a dress and overseas cap, but none of these plans had crystallized into action by 
V-E day.

WOMEN AIRFORCE SERVICE PILOTS

The OQMG was instrumental in the development of uniforms for one other civilian group. These were the Woman Airforce Service Pilots, employed by the Army Air Forces to replace and thus release for other assignment commissioned officers and military pilots in the operation of aircraft. The training and employment of these pilots began late in 1942, at which time the question of a uniform allowance was first raised. 28 The Air Judge Advocate advised that under existing laws and regulations a uniform allowance for civilian employees could not be authorized. Furthermore, it was the policy of the AAF not to require either male or female civilian employees to wear any type of distinctive dress, garment, or uniform. 29 Although at this time there was some correspondence from firms interested in supplying uniforms, it does not appear that Miss Jacqueline Cochran, Director of the WASP, was concerned with providing a distinctive uniform for her women pilots.

As the time approached for the graduation of the first class of women pilots from their training course, information was requested on the official uniforms, if any, which they were to be allowed to purchase. 30 About the same time attention was drawn to the fact that all women pilot trainees were expected to be dressed uniformly in clothing suitable for flying and ground school work. Since, as civil service employees, they could not draw or purchase any times of clothing from the local Quartermaster, it was recommended that action be taken to secure approval for the issue of two herringbone twill, one-piece suits for each trainee, the suits to be returned at the end of the training period. 31 The approval of issue of army clothing to civilians, however, would set a precedent which ASF Headquarters believed undesirable. It was suggested instead that such herringbone twill clothing be made available for sale to the trainees. 32 IN the meantime, for purposes of uniformity and until such time as a uniform should be authorized, trainees had been requested to wear tan slacks and white blouses. 33

The question of uniforms had persisted in arising, and by the summer of 1943 Miss Cochran felt that a uniform was a necessity for women pilots employed by the AAF. 34 The issue of uniforms


25 See Status Reports, Aug. 31, 1943--Feb. 29 1944.

26 Lt. Col. S. J. Kennedy to Headquarters, ASF, April 26, 1944, "Trench Coat, Hostesses' and Librarians' ". In design the trench oat was a double-breasted, belted coat, with two slash pockets below the waistline and a buttoned-in, removable, wool lining.

27 Hereafter abbreviated to WASP.

28 Headquarters, AAF, to Col. L. S. Smith, Director of Individual Training, Oct. 7, 1942, "Uniform Allowances for Women Undergoing Flying Training for the Army Air Forces."

29 Routing and Record Sheet, Col. L. S. Smith to the Air Judge Advocate, Oct. 6, 1942, and Col. E. H. Snodgrass to Col. L. S. Smith, oct 6, 1942. See also AAF Regulation No. 40-1, Sept. 2, 1942, "Personnel, Civilian."

30 Headquarters, AAF Flying Training Command, to the Commanding General, Air Transport Command, March 13, 1943, "Uniforms of Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron." It was deemed inexpedient for the women pilots to purchase uniforms prior to their arrival at the ferrying groups to which they would be assigned. Capt. D. M. Barr to the Commanding General, AAF Flying Training Command, March 19, 1943, 1st ind. to above citation.

31 Col. J. H. Hills, Headquarters, AAF Flying Training Command, to the Commanding General, AAF, April 10, 1943. "Clothing for Women Pilot Trainees." The item to be requisitioned was the nurses' one-piece suit.

32 Maj. Gen. LeR. Lutes, Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, ASF, to the Commanding General, AAF, May 17, 1943, 2nd ind. to the above citation. Because of the critical shortage of herringbone twill clothing at that time, such clothing would not be available for this purpose for at least 3 months.

33 Jacqueline Cochran to the Commanding General, AAF Headquarters, ATC, Aug. 4 1943.

34 Jacqueline Cochran to Brig. Gen. Leland W. Miller, July 10, 1943, "Initial Uniform Allowance for Women Pilots." She recommended an initial uniform allowance of $250, with replacements and additional as the responsibility of the individual. See also Jacquline [[Jacqueline]] Cochran to the Commanding General, AAF, July 15, 1943, "Uniforms for Women Pilots in the Army Air Forces."

147