The above logo, as well as much of the following information, comes from the February 1944  issue of "Air Force, The Official Journal Of The Army Air Forces". The article was written by  Charlotte Knight of the Air Force staff.  I picked these photos because they represent some of the jobs less commonly associated with  the WACs but which they executed with extreme competence. They were indispensable.

	By November 1944 there were Air WACs performing 200 different jobs at about 200 different locations in the AAF. The Air Force had announced nearly eighteens months before that it could and would use 375,000 WACs if it could get them. By 1944 it had received the green light to do it's own WAC recruiting. WACs have been transformed into electricians, printers, truck drivers, translators, photo retouch artists, link trainer instructors, cryptographers, hospital orderlies, fingerprinters, dental hygienists, entertainment directors, airplane inspectors, chaplain's assistants, bombsight mechanics, surgical technicians, MP's, and statisticians as well as working the control towers.		Number one WAC in the AAF is Major Betty   Bandel, first WAC to win her gold leaves and   who, as Air WAC Officer, channels 43 percent   of all WACS into waiting Air Force jobs.
	Prior to the extra "A" being dropped from the name in September 1943 and becoming part of the regular Army instead of an auxiliary, WAC officers were confined to administrative positions doing the "housekeeping" for the corps itself. Now, however WAC officers directly replaced male officers in a constantly growing number of technical and administrative jobs.

			As can be seen from the photographs Air WACs performed many different jobs previously believed to be strictly in the male domain. They did a great job and rightly received many commendations and accolades from their superior officers of both gender. The final paragraph in the article says it very well: "They don't fly planes or pull triggers or release bombs. Theirs is a behind-the-lines, frequently underrated role. But the WACs are soldiers, doing soldiers jobs to keep the AAF's planes in action. Ask any harassed, understaffed CO."
		After spending many years reading and studying about World War II and all the many groups that participated in it including the WACs I've come to an unsubstantiated conclusion: Despite what all the "official" writings might say I believe the line was stretched regarding what a WAC could officially do. I believe many WACs went beyond stated regulations and performed some duties not "officially" sanctioned. After all, there was a war on and you did what needed to be done. As best I can determine there were about 73 WACs who were awarded Aircrew wings and you don't get those sitting behind a desk. They have to be earned. There was at least one WAC crew chief during the war.

Sixteen women received the Purple Heart , awarded to soldiers injured due to enemy action. The Bronze Star was awarded to 565 women for meritorious service overseas. Over 700 WACs received medals and citations by the end of the war.

			From "WACs At Work" by Fjeril Hess Published by MacMillan Company (1945).		From "WACs At Work" by Fjeril Hess Published by MacMillan Company (1945).
			To learn more about the WACs click here.

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