Des Moines (AP)—Iowa women who were graduated in this week’s class of women’s air force service pilots (WASPS) at Avenger Field, Sweetwater, Tex., included Margaret J. Phelan, Emmetsburg; Dorothea Marie Norris, Indianola; Mrs. Elvin Arnold, Mount Etna; Urcela D. Wald, Runnells; Martha Anne Mace, Washington; and Meridee A. Newell, Woodward.
Source: Carroll Daily Times Herald, July 1, 1944
EIGHT IOWANS WASP PILOTS
Eight Iowa girls were included in the graduation class of women's airforce service pilots (WASP) at Avenger field, Sweetwater, Tex., this week.
Beverly Jean Moses, daughter of Alex Moses, 1101 Nineteenth st. was secretary to the general superintendent of the Solar Aircraft Co. before joining the WASP last December.
Marylyn E. Myers, daughter of Mrs. Mary Shields, 945 Eight st, was one of the first women airlines radio operators, and a passenger agent for United Air Lines.
Margaret J. Phelan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Phelan, Emmetsburg, was a draftsman at the Vega Aircraft Corp., Burbank, Cal.
Dorothea Marie Norris, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Norris, Indianola, was a typist for the internal revenue department in Des Moines.
Mrs. Elvin (Darlene) Arnold, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Calkins, Mount Etna, is a former school teacher whose husband is in the navy.
Urcela D. Wald, daughter of Mrs. Myrta Wald, Runnells, was employed by the Solar Aircraft Co. in Des Moines.
Martha Anne Mace, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn E. Mace, Washington, was secretary to the manager of the Des Moines Flying Service.
Merridee A. Newell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Newell, Woodward, was a music student at the State University of Iowa, Iowa City.
Source: The Des Moines Register, July 1, 1944
Des Moines in the Services
Urcela Wald, formerly of the WASP (women's army service pilots) now discontinued, is visiting her sister, Mrs. Ray Lees, 1815 Harding rd., before entering Red Cross training in January. After two weeks training in Washington, D.C. in January she will become a staff assistant for the Red Cross.
Source: The DesMoines Tribune, December 28, 1944
The American Red Cross has announced arrival of two Iowa women at their destinations as Red Cross staff assistants. They are Harriet Harter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L.G. Harter, 907 Forty-fifth st, now in France; and Urcela D. Wald, formerly Solar Aircraft employee, now in India.
Miss Harter is a Roosevelt High school and Coe college graduate and attended Iowa State college. She taught at Peterson, Ia., before joining the Red cross.
Miss Wald attended Iowa State, Iowa State Teachers and Simpson colleges.
Source: The Des Moines Tribune, July 6, 1945 (photo included)
