U.s. congressman Rodney davis proudly representing the 13th district of illinois

U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), during National Women’s History Month, voted to restore inurnment rights for Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) at Arlington National Cemetery, an honor the Secretary of the Army recently rescinded. H.R. 4336, the WASP Arlington Inurnment Restoration Act, which Davis is a cosponsor of, would overturn this decision. H.R. 4336 passed the House with unanimous support and now heads to the Senate for consideration.

“Members of the WASP provided an invaluable service to our country during WWII and like so many who serve put their lives on the line for our freedom,” said Davis. “Pilots like Dora deserve full recognition for their service and the same honors we award other war heroes. I hope the Senate will consider this legislation soon so we can restore this honor to these courageous women who are still living today. ”

H.R. 4336 would ensure nearly 1,100 women pilots who served their country during World War II, including Dora Dougherty Strother, who flew B-29 bombers in WWII and later became a flight instructor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, receive full recognition for their service. WASPs underwent the same training as male pilots and assumed the same risks, thirty-eight women died during their service. There are roughly 110 surviving WASPs today.