World War II Honoree

Nancy Harkness Love

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Houghton, Michigan

Honored By

Ralph Bozorth

WAS 28 YEARS OLD WHEN SHE BECAME THE LEADER OF THE WOMEN'S AIR FORCE (WAF), AN EXPERIMENTAL WOMEN’S SQUADRON THAT WAS FORMED IN SEPTEMBER 1942. THIS GROUP OF EXPERIENCED PILOTS PERFORMED FERRY DUTY FOR AIR TRANSPORT COMMAND WITH ONLY 4 TO 6 WEEKS OF TRANSITIONAL TRAINING TO ACQUAINT THEM WITH MILITARY PROCEDURE. WHEN THE WOMEN'S AIR FORCE AND WOMEN'S FLYING TRAINING DETACHMENT WERE MERGED INTO THE WASP (WOMEN AIR FORCE SERVICE PILOTS). WAS NAMED EXECUTIVE IN CHARGE OF ALL WASP (WOMEN AIR FORCE SERVICE PILOTS) FERRYING OPERATIONS. AFTER THE WAR, WAS AWARDED THE AIR MEDAL FOR HER SERVICE IN SUPPORT OF AIRCRAFT FERRYING OPERATIONS.