Viewing page 5 of 140

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

to civilian women pilots raised a question of authority, necessitating a ruling by the Comptroller General of the United States. On August 4, 1943, the Secretary of War requested permission of the Comptroller General to use Air Corps funds for the fiscal year 1944 for the purchase of uniforms for these civilian employees. The justification for his request was based on the fact that these uniforms were needed primarily for the convenience and interest of the Government in the prosecution of the war rather than for the personal convenience, comfort, or protection of the employees themselves. The program of training and employment of women pilots, begun late in 1942, had contemplated their use in ferrying smaller types of military aircraft within the United States. by 1943, however, they were being used extensively on military work, ferrying all types of planes, including multi-engine aircraft, both in Canada and the United States. In addition, the AAF used these pilots for towing targets for target practice conducted at high altitudes, for calibrating radar units, and for other tasks requiring a high degree of training and technical skill. Since their duties frequently required them to act as copilots with uniformed military pilots, it was deemed advisable to put them into uniform for security purposes. The Comptroller General sanctioned such action, provided such uniforms were confined to outer garments of clothing and remained the property of the United States Government.35 

While steps were being taken to secure this approval, action was initiated for the development of uniforms for the WASP. In July 1943 the Office of the Commanding General, AAF, telephoned Colonel Doriot, then Chief of the Research and Development Branch requesting his assistance on this problem.36 A conference between OQMG personnel and the Director of the WASP was held on July 22, 1943, at which time the whole problem of clothing needed by the women pilots was reviewed.37 A complete outfit of clothing and uniforms was to be developed for use both in the air and on the ground over a climatic range permitting comfort at all times of the year in any part of the United States. Two types of uniforms, one for the trainees and one for the pilots, were to be developed by the OQMG. The basic consideration in this developmental programs was versatility. The clothing consisting of a minimum number of items had to be trim, neat, and as attractive as possible. It was indicated that the color scheme was to be in various shades of blue.38 At the time of this original conference on WASP clothing requirements Colonel Doriot was authorized by The Quartermaster General to make preliminary studies, but it was called to the attention of the AAF that such projects had to be approved by ASF Headquarters. A number of samples, obtained from civilian manufacturers and designed according to suggestions made by the OQMG, were presented to General Arnold, the Commanding General of the AAF, on August 6, 1943. Certain of them were approved by him, but the OQMG indicated that without ASF authorization nothing more could be done.

AAF Headquarters had requested such authorization on July 31, 1943, but considerable delay had ensued before ASF Headquarters acquiesced in the project. ASF was opposed to the procurement 'of distinctive uniforms and equipment for the WASP, except that which could be converted from existing uniforms and equipment, or at least made from materials then in stock. ASF opposition was based on War Department policy to disapprove all new types of uniforms in order to decrease the burden on the civilian economy.39 ASF Headquarters called the attention of the AAF to the fact that The Quartermaster General had procured large stocks of uniforms for Wacs and nurses, greatly in excess of the quantities required to meet their needs. In the interest of conservation and in order to keep the number of authorized uniforms reduced to a minimum, it was requested that the Commanding General, AAF, give due consideration to the use of either the WAC


35 Lindsey C. Warren, Comptroller General of the United States, to the Secretary of War, Aug. 13, 1943. His reply quotes in full the letter of the Secretary of War.

36 There is no record of this telephone conversation, and no exact date can be set for it, but from the available records it would appear to have taken place between July 15 and 22.

37 It might be pointed out here that special flying clothing and equipment for the WASP were developed by the Air Technical Service Command at Wright Field. Miss Cochran was interested not only in flying clothing for women pilots but in the clothing needed by nurses in the air evacuation service. Only the development of clothing accomplished by the OQMG, however, is included in this study.

38 The items of clothing to be developed included a winter and a summer uniform of jacket and skirt, slacks and short jacket; coveralls; a one-piece summer and a two-piece winter flying suit; shirt and tie; parka type overcoat; and such accessories as gloves, shoes, caps, scarf, sweater, utility bag, and insignia. See attached list of clothing to memo., Mr. H. Bradford Washburn, Jr., to Col. G. F. Doriot, July 22, 1943, "Requirements: Clothing for Women Fliers."

39 See memo, Brig. Gen. W. E. Hall, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, to Lt. Gen. B. K. Giles, Sept. 2, 1943, "Uniform for the WASP."

148