The military’s final sexism barrier

In 2015, the Pentagon opened all military positions to women, finally recognizing that our national security is strongest when we prioritize merit, not gender. Yet at the same time, they are closing the door to the pioneers who paved the way.

The Army’s recent decision to exclude World War II pioneers called Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) from Arlington National Cemetery is a disgrace. The WASPs were the first women to fly planes in the military and stepped up to serve when we needed them most. Now, just like then, they are being told their service isn’t good enough.  

{mosads}Make no mistake. This decision is nothing more than the shameful resurrection of decades-old sexism – and we should not stand for it.

At the height of World War II, with male pilots in short supply, our country desperately needed pilots to fill crucial stateside roles. Like today, excluding 50 percent of the population from serving just because they were women didn’t make sense. Under the idea that the red-tape to militarize them would get figured out later, General Henry “Hap” Arnold established the WASPs unit, a group of 1,102 female pilots. Their missions included ferrying airplanes, training men for combat, and towing airborne targets for ground anti-aircraft artillery training.  

Like their male counterparts, the WASPs did everything asked of them, logging 60 million miles of operation flights in 78 different types of aircraft. They were effectively performing military duties: flying warplanes, living in barracks, and participating in training drills. And the risks were just as real. Thirty-eight WASPs died while serving their country.

Yet, unlike their male counterparts who flew exactly the same missions, the WASPs were not recognized as active duty simply because they were women.

As the war began to shift in the Allies favor, the voices of male pilots who claimed these “Glamour Gals” were taking their jobs became the prevailing narrative. The WASPs were disbanded with little more than a “thank you” for their service. There were no veterans benefits. No military honors for the women who died. No gold stars for the families who never saw their daughters, sisters, or mothers again.

In 1977, Congress finally passed a law granting the WASPs veteran status. The Air Force then issued them Honorable Discharge papers and the medals they would have earned if they were active duty during World War II. Better late than never, in 2002, Arlington opened their doors to the WASPs, allowing their ashes to be placed there with full military honors.

That decision stood until last year, when Arlington, which is run by the Army, revoked these rights citing a technicality.

Today, there are only roughly 110 WASPs remaining, and their cruel exclusion from Arlington cannot be justified by space constraints or bureaucratic barriers. As a critical part of our military history, they deserve to be memorialized where future generations will be able to learn about their legacy and know how they served.

I’ve introduced bipartisan legislation with my colleague Rep. Susan Davis (D-Calif.) to overturn the Army’s decision. Our legislation already has over 180 cosponsors and passed last month out of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) have introduced companion legislation with strong support in the Senate.

Sexism kept these women from receiving the honored they earned 70 years ago. Let’s not make the same mistake today. The administration should immediately reverse their decision, but if they refuse to act, Congress will.

McSally has represented Arizona’s 2^nd Congressional District since 2015. She sits on the Armed Services and the Homeland Security committees. She is a retired USAF colonel and was the first American woman to fly in combat and the first woman to command an Air Force fighter squadron.