03/06/2024
🇺🇲WWII uncovered: Women's History Month: Honoring the Service of Elizabeth Lora Gardner of the Women Airforce Service Pilots
"The opportunity to serve in WWII was wonderful, and I love doing this every day. It was an opportunity I never expected which gave me an amazing life experience. It has it’s hardships like everything else in life, but the opportunity to serve my country by doing flying aircraft is unimaginable and is a wonderful privilege.” -Libby Gardner 1943 US National Archive interview
Pictured is Elizabeth Gardner, of Rockford, Illinois, Class 43-W-6 WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilot) at the controls of a Martin B-26 ‘Marauder’ medium bomber. Harlingen Army Air Field, Texas. 1943 - US National Archive
Libby, of Rockford Illinois, was 22 years old when this photo was taken. By this time she was already an accomplished pilot.
"In October 1943, Libby successfully completed the Women’s Flying Training program in Sweetwater, Texas, and received her silver wings as a graduate of Class 43-W-6. After her graduation, Libby was selected for 3-months of transitional training in the B-26 Marauder at Dodge City Army Air Base, Kansas. After her transition into the twin-engine, medium bomber, she was assigned to the flexible gunnery school at Harlingen Army Air Field in Texas, along with seven fellow WASP from Class 43-5 and 43-6." - National WASP World War II Museum
A member of the Caterpillar Club, Gardner was a member of the experimental Piper Club where she parachuted to safety hence garnering her a spot as a Caterpillar - an honor almost unheard of for a woman during this time.
After the war Libby returned to the skies as a pilot for Piper Aircraft Corporation in Pennsylvania where she worked prior to her service during World War II.
She would go on to marry Michael Remba and the couple would have one child Eve. After a divorce in 1967 Libby later relocated to New York.
Elizabeth Lora Gardner passed away on December 22, 2011 at the age of 90 years old.
Thank you for your service Libby - you are truly a member of the Greatest Generation. Lest We Forget.
🎨 Colourisation by Candido Augusto from Brazil via Find a Grave Database
WWII uncovered ©️ original description and photo sourced by Women Air Force Service Pilots Official Archive presented by Texas Women's University, National WASP World War II Museum, US National Archive and Find a Grave Database
