More Than Wings

Nancy Harkness Love Nancy Love was an American pilot and airplane commander during World War II. She was the first woman to fly for the U.S. military. Love obtained her pilot’s license at the age of 16 and worked as a test pilot and air racer in the 1930s. During World War II, she persuaded Colonel Tunner of the U.S. Army Air Forces to establish a group of female pilots tasked with ferrying aircraft from factories to air bases. This proposal was eventually approved, leading to the formation of the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS), which she commanded. Later, she oversaw all ferrying operations in the newly established Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program. For her contributions during the war, she was awarded the Air Medal and appointed lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve in 1948. Love believed that aviation represented the future and that it was crucial for women to be equal participants in this new era of air travel. The women pilots of her time were strong and resourceful individuals who defied traditional social expectations, demonstrating resilience that was vital in maintaining their organization and enthusiasm. Nancy Love’s vision for the WAFS, both in its conception and execution, serves as a significant model for the integration of women into the military. A key aspect of her leadership was that the WAFS program was not about ego. She emphasized that both men and women had valuable contributions to make, regardless of their gender. The presence of one gender in non-traditional roles like flying should not undermine the contributions of the other. That she was able to persuade others, both in the military and civilian spheres, of this principle reflects her most profound and lasting legacy. The discourse on gender in the military has been transformed as a result of her efforts, making Nancy Love one of the most impactful historical figures of the first half of the 20th century, a true heroine.