Geraldine Pratt May

Colonel Geraldine Pratt May
BornApril 21, 1895
DiedNovember 2, 1997
Menlo Park, California
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service / branchWomen’s Army Corps
Women's Air Force
United States Air Force
RankColonel
AwardsLegion of Merit

Col. Geraldine Pratt May (April 21, 1895 – November 2, 1997)[1] was the first director of the Women's Air Force (WAF) and the first woman colonel in the United States Air Force.[2][3][4][5]

Military career

May joined the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) in July 1942. She was promoted to staff director of WAAC’s Air Transport Command in March 1943.[6]

In 1948, May became the first director of the newly created the Women's Air Force (WAF) and was promoted to the rank of colonel making her the first woman colonel in the United States Air Force.[5]

May received the Legion of Merit for her service during World War II.[5]

Death and legacy

May died in Menlo Park, California at the age of 102. She is interred at Arlington National Cemetery.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Geraldine Pratt May, Obituary" (PDF). Air Force Magazine. February 1998.
  2. ^ "Heritage Spotlight: Women". www.jble.af.mil. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  3. ^ "Women in the Armed Forces: A Century of Service". Issuu. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  4. ^ Eveleth, Rose. "Today in 1948, the U.S. Air Force Accepted Its First Female Member". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  5. ^ a b c "United States Air Force". www.arlingtoncemetery.mil. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
  6. ^ a b "Aerospace World". Air Force Magazine. Retrieved 2021-06-09.