This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Sgt Mae Moss (MayDay)
to remember
Batten, Bernice, 2d Lt.
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Contact Info
Last Address Scammon
Date of Passing Jul 16, 2004
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
"Celestial Flight"
~ WASP, Elizabeth MacKethan Magid
She is not dead -
But only flying higher,
Higher than she's flown before,
And earthly limitations
Will hinder her no more.
There is no service ceiling,
Or any fuel range,
And there is no anoxia,
Or need for engine change.
Thank God that now her flight can be
To heights her eyes had scanned,
Where she can race with comets,
And buzz the rainbow's span.
For she is universal
Like courage, love and hope,
And all free, sweet emotions
Of vast and godly scope.
And understand a pilot's Fate
Is not the thing she fears,
But rather sadness left behind,
Your heartbreak and your tears.
So all you loved ones, dry your eyes,
Yes, it is wrong that you should grieve,
For she would love your courage more,
And she would want you to believe
She is not dead.
You should have known
That she is only flying higher,
Higher than she's ever flown.
Other Comments:
Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) flew non-combat missions during World War II to free men for combat. Although the Air Force trained only about 1,200 WASP, they had an enormous impact on World War II aviation.
Women pilots assigned to the Air Transport Command ferried forty-three types of aircraft, including small primary trainers, the fastest fighters, heavy transports, and huge bombers, from factories to bases throughout the United States and Canada. They towed targets, took meteorologists up for weather observations, transported equipment, broke in engines, and flew as couriers.
WASP went through AAF Training Command primary, intermediate and advanced training at Avenger Field, Sweetwater, Texas. Their twenty-seven week curriculum was the same as that given to aviation cadets. They received additional transitional instruction at the air base to which they were assigned.
Although WASP were on Civil Service status, they were entitled to the privileges of officers when on an Army base and had to conform to military regulations when on duty. WASP wings were the standard AAF silver wings with a lozenge in the center.
The mascot on their patch was called Fifinella; she was cute, agile, and always ready to take up the flying challenge. This epitomized the spirit that was the WASP who served this country very well in a time of need. Their contributions are documented and stand for spirit that made this country the great nation we are.
Aircraft/Missile Information
During World War II, the armed forces of many countries used the C-47 and modified DC-3s for the transport of troops, cargo and wounded. Over 10,000 aircraft were produced in Long Beach and Santa Monica, California and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma City plant produced 5,354 C-47s from March 1943 until August 1945.
Model Douglas C-47 Skytrain / Dakota Mk I Length 63.75 ft | 19.43 m Width 95.51 ft | 29.11 m Height 16.99 ft | 5.18 m Engine(s) 2 x Pratt & Whintey R-1830-92 14-cylinder radial piston engines delivering 1,200hp each. Empty Weight 18,199 lbs | 8,255 kg MTOW 25,999 lbs | 11,793 kg Max Speed 230 mph | 370 km/h | 200 kts Max Range 1,600 miles | 2,575 km Ceiling 23,999 ft | 7,315 m | 4.5 miles Climb Rate 1,041 ft/min Hardpoints None. Armament None. Accommodations 3 + 27