Frances Johanna Dias Gustavson (December 28, 1916 – February 7, 1994) was an American aviator and World War 2 ferrying pilot.[1][2] Dias became the second and final Hispanic member to be accepted into the WAFS division of the WASP, also known as the Women Air force Service Pilots.[3] Serving as a Ferry pilot, Dias joined the 1,074 other women to be selected and complete training for the program.[4]
Frances Dias (Gustavson) | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 28, 1916 Newman, California |
| Died | February 5, 1994 Newman, California |
| Burial place | Hills Ferry Cemetery. Newman, California |
| Occupation(s) | American Aviator and WWII Ferry Pilot |
| Years active | 1941-1944 |
| Spouse | Mervin Nesbitt (Gus) Gustavson (m.1958-1985) |
Early life
editBorn on December 28, 1916 in Newman, California, to parents Frank Joseph Dias and Lena Mae Cardoza Dias, Frances was an only child, and spent most of her early adolescent and young adult years in California.[5][6] Dias began her flying lessons at the Merced and Gustine airports, and in September 1936, successfully completed her first solo flight.[7] She received her private flight certification in 1938, and commercial license in 1941.[8] Dias applied and was accepted to the WASP program in 1943, she graduated from her training May 25, of the same year in the WFTD class 43-2.[4] Beginning her aviation career at Houston Municipal Airport, located in Houston, MS, Dias was then assigned base at Dallas Love Field airport upon her graduation.[9][10]
During the war
editUpon being stationed at Dallas Love Field airport, Dias acted as a ferrying pilot for the war effort, transporting newly built planes from the assembly lines, to air force bases to then be deployed to Europe.[11] She primarily flew small twin or four engine planes, but recalls a time she and another WASP were assigned to pilot a Russian C-47 (DC-3).[6]
Minorities in the WASP program
editWith a majority of the program and its graduates being White Americans, few minority women being allowed to participate in training. Only five women of color had been selected and graduated in the WASP program. Two women of Chinese descent, Maggie Gee and Hazel Ying Lee, one woman of Indigenous American descent, Ola Mildred Rexroat, and two women of hispanic descent, Dias, and Verneda Rodriguez Mclean.[12][13][14][15] African American women were not permitted to complete training and participate in the WASP program.[16] Francis Dias, was born in California, to parents 100% Portuguese, from Sao Jorge Island Azores. (by her Nephew RjDias)
After the war
editFollowing the disbandment of the WASP, Dias Gustavson was married to Mervin Nesbitt (Gus) Gustavson on January 12, 1958. The two had met in the 1930's when "Gus" served as her uncle's flight instructor.[7] They were married for twenty six years and lived primary in Newman, Nevada and Merced, California, until his death on January 17, 1985.[17] Together they operated the single airport in Fallon, Nevada until 1977, when Mervin "Gus" Gustavson suffered a stroke.[8]
Other flying endeavors
editFrances Dias Gustavson was inducted as a member of the San Joaquin Valley chapter of The Ninety Nines and the OX5 Aviation Pioneers.[18] Years after the war, Dias flew both commercially and as an Aerobatic pilot with Tex Rankin Airshow.[18] In the late 1950's and early 1960's, she served at least 8 Years as an official timer at the finish, route surveyor, and chairman for the All Woman Transcontinental Air Race, hosted by the Ninety Nines.[19]
Death
editFrances Dias Gustavson died February 5, 1994 at the age of 77. She was buried in Hills Ferry Cemetery, in Newman California.
See also
editExternal links
editReferences
edit- ^ "FamilySearch.org". ancestors.familysearch.org. Retrieved 2024-07-29. https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/L6L5-J7S/frances-joanna-dias-1916-1994
- ^ "Jul 24, 1980, page 60 - The West Side Index at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
- ^ "Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
- ^ a b "WWII WASP Graduates". Women Airforce Service Pilots - Remembered By Those who Knew Them. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
- ^ "FamilySearch.org". ancestors.familysearch.org. Retrieved 2024-07-29. https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/L6L5-J7S/frances-joanna-dias-1916-1994
- ^ a b Gomes, Becky Dobbs (July 24, 1980). "Pioneer Flyer Frances Dias Gustavson served country as WWII ferrying pilot". The West Side Index. p. 60. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
- ^ a b "Jul 24, 1980, page 60 - The West Side Index at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
- ^ a b Rowley, Betty (June 1994). Rowley, Betty (ed.). ""Ninety Nines"" (PDF). Ninety Nines Newletter. p. 29. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
- ^ "WASP Class 43-W-2 | WAFS & WASP Class of 1943 | Training TWU". twu.edu. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
- ^ "MSS 250.Classbook.43-W-2.FGustavson". twudigital.contentdm.oclc.org. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
- ^ "A People at War". www.archives.gov. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ^ "National Museum of the United States Army". www.thenmusa.org. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
- ^ Kay, LaVone (2021-03-10). "Verneda G. Rodriguez McLean". CAF RISE ABOVE. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
- ^ Diana (2020-04-25). "Ola Rexroat, Captain, U.S. Air Force". Foundation for Women Warriors. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
- ^ "National Museum of the United States Army". www.thenmusa.org. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
- ^ Ferrill Sittler, Staff Sgt. Abby (March 1, 2023). "The Women's Airforce Service Pilots: WASPs in World War II". U.S Airforce Central. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
- ^ "FamilySearch.org". ancestors.familysearch.org. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
- ^ a b Wilson, Gill Robb (July 13–16, 1960). "14th Annual All Women Transcontinental Air Race" (PDF). 14th Annual All Women Transcontinental Air Race Official Program. 14: 13–14 – via Google Drive.
- ^ Haddaway, George E. (July 4, 1959). "Annual All Woman Transcontinental Air Race Official Pamphlet" (PDF). Flight Magazine (13) – via Google Drive.