World War II Honoree

Eloise 'Huffhines' Bailey

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Carrollton, Texas

Honored By

Sam E. Pennartz

SHE APPLIED FOR AND WAS ACCEPTED INTO THE WOMEN AIRFORCE SERVICE PILOTS (WASP) TRAINING PROGRAM AT AVENGER FIELD IN SWEETWATER, TEXAS ON 1 NOVEMBER 1943. WHILE THERE, SHE LEARNED TO FLY THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES MILITARY AIRCRAFT. AFTER SUCCESSFULLY FINISHING SEVEN MONTHS OF TRAINING AT AVENGER FIELD, SHE GRADUATED WITH PILOT CLASS 44-4, RECEIVED HER SILVER WINGS, AND HER OFFICIAL ORDERS FROM THE ARMY AIR FORCES TO REPORT TO MAXWELL FIELD IN MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA, WHICH WAS A B-24 REPAIR DEPOT. SHE DROVE TO MAXWELL, ARRIVING ON 6 JUNE 1944 (D-DAY). SHE WAS BILLETED IN THE NURSES' QUARTERS ACROSS FROM THE OFFICER'S CLUB. WHILE AT MAXWELL SHE WAS ABLE TO CHECK-OUT IN A NUMBER OF AIRCRAFT, INCLUDING THE B-24, WHICH SHE FLEW AS AN ENGINEERING CO-PILOT. HER PRIMARY FLYING ASSIGNMENT WAS ON SLOW-TIMING MISSIONS TO BREAK-IN REBUILT OR NEW ENGINES ON B-24 AIRCRAFT. SHE WAS ALSO ABLE TO QUALIFY AS FIRST PILOT ON THE UC-78, AT-11, AND C-45.