Two of Six ... The Enforcer

Betty Huyler Gillies

Born in New York City in 1908, Betty Huyler Gillies began flying when she was 18-years-old. Her interest in aviation was sparked by a magazine article entitled, Try Flying Yourself, written by Amelia Earhart. She and Amelia later became friends through forming the Ninety-Nines in 1929, an organization for women pilots which still exists today. As Betty's flying career took off, she had to make a choice between nursing school and aviation. She chose to be a pilot.

By 1942 Betty's dedication to furthering women's aviation had earned her the respect of her peers. In the fall of that same year she received a call from her good friend, Nancy Love, asking for her help in launching a women's ferrying squadron in Wilmington, Delaware. Having lost a four-year-old daughter to leukemia nine months earlier, Betty's husband and family encouraged her to take the offer thinking it would be therapeutic for her.

Before arriving in Wilmington, Betty had already logged more than 1,400 hours of flying time. Nicknamed, "The Mighty Atom", the 5' 1" dynamo was appointed executive officer of the WAFS (Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron). She later became the WAFS squadron leader at New Castle Army Air Base in Wilmington. The first woman to fly the P-47 Thunderbolt, Betty had to have special wooden blocks made so her feet would reach the rudder pedals. She was also one of the first women to ferry the B-17. A woman of determination and strong convictions, she led the battle against restrictions being placed on pregnant women flying. By not being allowed to fly for nine months, a woman could lose her current rating as a pilot.

In 1943, one of the original WAFS, Cornelia Fort, lost her life in a mid-air collision over the state of Texas. As a tribute to Cornelia, Betty led a ferry mission that would test the limits of her WAFS. Four primary trainers needed to be delivered from Hagerstown, Maryland to Calgary, Canada - a distance of 2,500 miles. This feat was accomplished in record-breaking time. Betty's group received a letter of commendation for their outstanding performance. Their tribute to Cornelia helped soften the blow of losing one of their own.

Betty was admired and respected by her fellow WAFS for her flying abilities and fair leadership. An original WAF remembers her as a compassionate leader who walked softly, but carried a big stick.