Josephine (Dodi) Pitz Egan (March 30, 1913 – April 13, 2006) was an American pilot who was a member of the Women Air Service Pilots (WASP) during World War II, having completed her training for the group on September 11, 1943, and was a member of class 43-W-5.[1][2] The WASPs were a pioneering group of female pilots who flew non-combat missions to free up male pilots for combat roles. Her husband was Col. John Egan.
Josephine Pitz Egan | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Dodi |
| Born | March 30, 1913 Manitowoc, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Died | April 13, 2006 (aged 93) Denver, Colorado, U.S. |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | |
| Years of service | 1943–1944 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | Women Airforce Service Pilots |
| Alma mater | University of Wisconsin |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 2 |
Early life
editPitz was born in Manitowoc, Wisconsin in 1913. She flew her first solo flight in September 1929 at the age of 16[3] and earned her pilot's license in August 1930, making her Manitowoc's first woman to do so.[4][5] She graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1935 with a degree in Chemistry.[6]
WASP career
editPitz was trained at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas, where she learned to fly many aircraft. For her training, Pitz learned to fly the PT-19A, the BT-15, the AT-6, and the AT-17 Bobcat.[1]
After her training, Pitz was stationed at several Army-Air Force Bases during WWII. First, Pitz was stationed at New Castle Army-Air Force Base, where she flew and ferried the PT-19A, the PT-26, the L-4H, the L2M, the UC-78, the BC1A, the Douglas A24, the P47D, the P51D, and the P63.[1]
Later, Pitz moved to Rosecrans Field in St. Joseph Missouri where she flew the C49G, C49E, C47A, and the C49H.[1]
Lastly, at Brownsville, Texas AAB, she flew the P47D, P40N, P51A, P51C, P39Q, and the P37D. In June of 1944, she soloed all single-engine pursuit planes.[7] She retired as a 1st Lieutenant.[1]
Post-WWII
editPitz married Col. John. C. Egan, a member of the 100th Bomb Group, in 1945. After the war, she lived in Japan and Hawaii with John Egan until he died in 1961. She had two daughters: Katy Park and Annie Egan.[5]
In 1977, Congress passed a bill recognizing the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) as veterans. After the Air Force certified the WASP as military personnel, the bill was approved and signed into law by President Carter on November 23, 1977.[8] Pitz worked with the WASP headquarters in Washington D.C to push for this bill.[citation needed]
Death
editPitz died on April 13, 2006 at the age of 93. She is buried at Arlington National Cemetery alongside her husband.[6]
Popular culture
editPitz is mentioned as John Egan's spouse as well as her career as a WASP at the end of the Apple TV's miniseries "Masters of the Air" (2024).[9]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "WASP Information Form for Josephine Pitz" 1967, The Woman's Collection, Texas Woman's University, Denton, Texas.
- ^ Marge Miley (December 8, 2002). "Pitz soared as female WWII pilot". The Herald Times Reporter. pp. 19–20. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "Josephine Pitz, Manitowoc girl solos in plane". Two Rivers Reporter. September 13, 1929. p. 2. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "News briefs". The Daily Tribune. Association Press. August 26, 1930. p. 8. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ a b "Personnel". 100th Bomb Group Foundation. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ a b "Josephine (Dodi) Pitz Egan". The Herald Times Reporter. April 25, 2006. p. 3. Retrieved August 9, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Turner, B. S. (2001). Out of the blue and into history. Aviatrix Pub.
- ^ "Women in the United States Army". www.army.mil. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ Zamlout, Nicole (March 18, 2024). "What Is A WASP? Bucky's Wife In Masters Of The Air's Explained". ScreenRant. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
