Members of the Women Airforce Service Pilots at a graduation ceremony.
Three Maine women are among about 200 female pilots being honored today at a Washington, D.C. ceremony for their service in World War II.
Edith Beal of Bridgton, Betty Brown of Skowhegan and Phyllis Paradis of Bass Harbor flew non-combat missions within the U.S. as members of the Women Airforce Service Pilots, established in 1942 as part of the war effort.
More than 1,100 so-called WASPs graduated from the program, becoming the first female pilots to fly for the military. But they were not officially recognized as part of the military, and received a small salary and no benefits or recognition.
The women flew more than 60 million miles in all types of aircraft, including heavy bombers. They served as instructors, transported cargo and tested aircraft destined for cadet training, among other things.
Congress voted to make the WASPs eligible for veterans' benefits in 1977. The surviving pilots are being honored at a ceremony this morning on Capitol Hill.