Share
TACOMA, Wash. — Dorothy Eleanor Olsen, a member of a group of civilian volunteers who flew planes across the country during World War II, has died. She was 103.
The News Tribune reports that Olsen died July 23 in University Place, Washington. She flew about 60 missions as part of the 6th Ferry Group of the Women Airforce Service Pilots.
WASP members hauled targets for shooting practice and performed other flying duties. WASPs were not recognized as veterans until 1977 under President Jimmy Carter.
Favorite Plane was P-51 Mustang
Olsen flew about 29 different aircraft. Her favorite was the P-51.
“Mom said the P-38 was an old woman’s plane. She said anybody could fly that,” said her daughter, Julie Stranburg. “She said that the (P-)51, you had to stay on top of that.”
Debbie Jennings, friends with Olsen since about 2003 and developer of a WASP exhibit at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, said her friend preferred the fighter plane because she was by herself and could do whatever she wanted.
Jennings said Olsen would get a kick out of scaring farmers on their tractors and fly right behind them.
Awarded Congressional Gold Medal
Olsen was stationed at Long Beach Army Air Base in California from 1942-1944 and was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2009.
Stranburg said her mother didn’t fly after she and her brother were born and didn’t even think of flying commercial or private planes.
“She said, ‘Why would I want to fly a Cessna when I’ve flown a P-51?'” Stranburg said.
RELATED TOPICS:
Will the Pacific Coast Highway Reopen for Memorial Day Weekend?
12 hours ago
The Artist Tree Set to Open Second Fresno Cannabis Location
13 hours ago
Fresno Affordable Housing Takes a Huge Hit. State Kills City’s ‘Pro-Housing’ Status
14 hours ago
House Republicans Pass Trump’s Big Bill of Tax Breaks and Program Cuts After All-Night Session
15 hours ago
Judge Blocks Trump Admin From Dismantling Education Department
15 hours ago
Gavin Newsom’s Off-the-Mark Budget Numbers Undermine His Credibility Again
16 hours ago
Meet Petunia. She Makes Hearts Melt With Every Purr
17 hours ago

Stop Making Cents: US Mint Moves Forward With Plans to Kill the Penny

Fresno County Detectives Revive 2017 Drive-By Murder Case

Will the Pacific Coast Highway Reopen for Memorial Day Weekend?

The Artist Tree Set to Open Second Fresno Cannabis Location
