[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 98 (Friday, June 26, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1608]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   RECOGNIZING FRANKIE BRETHERICK HONORING AMERICA'S FIRST FLY GIRLS

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                            HON. SAM JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 26, 2009

  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, Women Air Force Service 
Pilots (WASP) were the first women in American history to fly military 
aircraft. Between the years 1942-1944, women were recruited to fly non-
combat missions, so that every male pilot could be deployed in combat. 
These women piloted every kind of military aircraft and logged 60 
million miles flying missions across the United States. They were never 
awarded full military status and were not eligible for officer status. 
It was not till 1977 that the WASP pilots were granted veterans' 
status. Of the 1,102 WASP pilots, just under 300 are living today. One 
of these living legends resides in the Third Congressional District, 
Frankie Bretherick. I'd like to thank her personally for her service to 
this great nation for being a pioneer of flight.
  Frankie Lovvorn was born September 19, 1914, in Cranfils Gap, Bosque 
County, Texas. Her parents were Francis Marion Lovvorn and Primrose 
Smith. She graduated from high school in Meridian, Bosque County, 
Texas. She graduated from Providence Hospital Nursing School in Waco, 
Texas, in 1937. She worked for five years at various veteran's 
hospitals in Texas and Louisiana. She began flying lessons at an 
airport south of Dallas, Texas.
  By the time she applied and was accepted into the WASP program, Class 
of 44W-6, she had acquired a commercial pilot's license and had logged 
over 200 hours of flying time. While stationed in Greenville, 
Mississippi at Greenville Army Air Base until deactivated on December 
20, 1944, she flew BT-13s and UC-78s and slow-timed repaired aircraft.
  After deactivation, Frankie was asked to join the Army Nurse Corps in 
May 1945. She was sent to Mitchell Field, New York where she worked at 
a hospital for three weeks. She was then sent to Randolph Field in San 
Antonio, Texas to attend the School of Aviation Medicine where she 
received training to become an air evacuation nurse. After World War 
II, she went to business school and attended Southern Methodist 
University in Dallas, Texas. She also worked part-time as a nurse while 
in school.
  Frankie met Joseph Harry Bretherick while both were stationed in 
Greenville, Mississippi. They married in 1949 and lived in 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for 19 years. Frankie continued working as a 
part-time nurse after their marriage.
  They moved to Sarasota, Florida in 1968. After moving to Sarasota, 
Florida, Frankie became involved with the Sarasota Garden Club. She 
also acquired her Real Estate license. Frankie's husband, Joe, died in 
1999. About three years ago Frankie moved to Plano, Collin County, 
Texas, to be close to family.
  Through their actions, Women Air Force Service Pilots were a catalyst 
for revolutionary reform in the integration of women pilots into the 
U.S. Armed Services. Just as the Navajo Code Talkers served with 
distinction and were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, it is also 
appropriate for Congress to recognize and honor the service of the WASP 
with the Congressional Gold Medal. The Congressional Gold Medal is the 
highest and most distinguished award that the U.S. Congress can award 
to a civilian. Finally, these women will receive that long-overdue 
recognition now that the House and the Senate have passed the bill 
granting these women.
  This Congressional Gold Medal honors mothers, grandmothers, teachers, 
office workers, nurses, business women, photographers, dancers, one was 
even a nun. But before that, they were pilots for the US Army Air Corps 
during World War II. Finally, this Congress has recognized their 
sacrifice and considers them all heroes because these trailblazers and 
true patriots served our country without question and with no 
expectations of recognition or praise. That is what being a true hero 
is all about! The Congressional Gold Medals will be awarded to all 
1,102 pilots and/or their surviving family members.
  To the brave and selfless women like Frankie, our nation owes them a 
debt of gratitude for their service and sacrifice. I am so very proud 
of them. God bless them and God bless America! I salute them one and 
all.

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