WASP Pilot Shirley Kruse

Shirley C. Kruse

Women Airforce Service Pilots

Featuring the Artwork of Aviation Artist and Historian, Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette.

I was born in New Jersey, and my interest in flying began as a child. Airplanes were not common in the 1920's and 30's and so when an airplane flew overhead, we all stopped what we were doing and watched in complete fascination. On Sunday afternoons, my father always took our family out for an afternoon drive. One beautiful day near my 10th birthday, our path took us past the Teterboro Airport. I saw a sign that read, FLIGHTS- $5.00. Excitedly I said, "Daddy! That is what I want to do for my birthday!" His response was "girls don't fly!" My mother, always my champion, turned, smiled, and said,. "Shirley, if you want to fly, you will fly".

My opportunity finally arose in my early 20's while visiting friends in New York State who owned a Piper Cub. Since I was living in New Jersey, and flight lessons would be at an airport in New York State, I managed my schedule so that I could spend weekends in Newburgh taking flight lessons.

While taking flight lessons I heard about Jacqueline Cochran's WASP program, sent in an application, and was accepted into the class of 44W-6. Upon graduation, I was sent to Bainbridge Air Base, Georgia, where we tested and tested the aircraft. During this time I encountered a few male pilots who occasionally made life miserable. While at BAB, I was detailed back to Sweetwater, Texas to take an advanced instrument course. It was at Sweetwater that Jackie Cochran flew in and joined us. We sat with her in uniform, forming a circle on the flight line, and quietly listened as she sadly told us that the WASP program was being deactivated. What a great disappointment to all of us! Tearfully we sat together considering the grave impact this would have on each of us.

After deactivation, I returned to my parents' home in Hackensack, New Jersey. During this time I worked as a secretary New York City, and as a proof reader for the Bendix Aircraft Company in Teterboro, New Jersey.

In 1945 I married Chester Egler and had three lovely daughters. I went to work for the United Postal Service in 1958, serving in various capacities, and retiring as Director of Customer Service from the Poughkeepsie, New York Sectional Center.

In 1978, having been single for several years, I married Lawrence Kruse and moved to Palm Coast, Florida. We traveled extensively until his death in 1993. I now reside in Pompano Beach, Florida, and continue to travel.

My time spent as a WASP was a never to be forgotten adventure, a great preparation for the wonderful experience of all that my life was to become.

In her own words, thank you Shirley.