Mildred Deanie Parrish (1922 – March 23, 2022) was an American aviator who served as a Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) during World War II. She is widely recognized for her significant contributions to securing veteran status for the WASP program and for her dedication to preserving the history and legacy of these pioneering women pilots.
Early Life and World War II Service
Mildred Stegall was born in Palm Beach, Florida, in 1922. From a young age, she developed an interest in aviation. With the outbreak of World War II, opportunities arose for women to contribute to the war effort through flying. Parrish joined the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program, established in 1943, which trained civilian women pilots to fly military aircraft for non-combat missions within the United States.
Parrish underwent flight training at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas, the primary training base for the WASP. Upon graduation, she became a ferry pilot, transporting various military aircraft from factories to air bases across the country. Her duties also included test-flying newly repaired planes, towing targets for live-ammunition practice, and instructing male pilots. The WASP program officially disbanded in December 1944.
Post-War Advocacy and Recognition
Despite their vital contributions, the WASP were considered civilian employees rather than military personnel after the war, leaving them without the benefits and recognition accorded to veterans. Deanie Parrish became a passionate and persistent advocate for the WASP, working tirelessly to achieve military veteran status for her fellow pilots.
Her efforts, along with those of other former WASP, spanned decades. Their advocacy finally succeeded in 1977 when President Jimmy Carter signed Public Law 95-202, granting the WASP retroactive military veteran status. This legislative act was a monumental victory, providing the WASP with long-overdue recognition and benefits.
Parrish continued her advocacy, playing a central role in the campaign that led to the WASP being awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2009, the highest civilian award bestowed by the U.S. Congress.
National WASP WWII Museum
A pivotal part of Deanie Parrish's legacy is her instrumental role in the establishment and development of the National WASP WWII Museum. Located at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas, the museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the WASP program and honoring the women who served. Parrish helped found the museum and served on its board, actively participating in its growth and mission to educate future generations about the WASP's contributions to aviation and the war effort. Her personal dedication ensured that the stories and artifacts of these women would not be forgotten.
Legacy
Deanie Parrish's life was a testament to courage, determination, and patriotism. Her service as a WASP pilot during World War II demonstrated the capabilities of women in aviation and their significant role in national defense. Her relentless advocacy after the war was crucial in correcting historical injustices and securing deserved recognition for the WASP. Through the National WASP WWII Museum, she ensured that the legacy of these extraordinary women would continue to inspire future generations. Parrish passed away on March 23, 2022, at the age of 99, having lived to see the full scope of the WASP's contributions honored and remembered.