Jerrie Badger

Prepared by the Witnesses of War team

Jerrie Phillips Badger was born Dorothy Mae Phillips on 28 September 1921 and grew up in Spade, Texas. Her fascination with aviation began during a flight over Stamford, Texas, when a pilot let her take the controls. Determined to pursue flying, she later worked for a newspaper in San Antonio while attending classes at St. Mary’s University and building her flight experience.

In May 1944, Jerrie entered training at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas, joining Class 44-W-10, the final class of the Women Airforce Service Pilots—WASP. These civilian women flew military aircraft for the United States Army Air Forces, performing essential duties within the United States and freeing male pilots for overseas combat assignments. Jerrie trained on aircraft including the PT-17, BT-13 and AT-6.

After seven months of intensive training, she earned her silver wings on 7 December 1944. Assigned to Aloe Army Air Field near Victoria, Texas, she flew AT-6 trainers. Her service after graduation lasted just thirteen days: the WASP programme was disbanded on 20 December 1944. The decision devastated Jerrie, who had found both work she loved and an opportunity to prove her abilities as a pilot.

Jerrie continued flying after the programme ended, working as a flight instructor and ferrying aircraft. In 1945, she married Marine pilot Guy O. Badger. She later raised her daughters as a single mother and pursued a career with the United States Postal Service, becoming a postmaster.

The WASP received veterans’ status in 1977 and were collectively honoured with the Congressional Gold Medal in 2010. Jerrie continued sharing her experiences with younger generations and received the Military Women’s Memorial Living Legend Award in 2024. She died on 17 January 2026, aged 104, leaving a record of service among the women who helped open military aviation to future generations.