WASP Class 43-W-8

Dates: July 5, 1943-December 17, 1943

Number of Trainees: 98 trainees, 48 graduates

Place: Gymnasium, Avenger Field, Sweetwater, Texas

Prior graduations had been held on the Flight Line with a reviewing stand for the dignitaries. The Graduating Class was seated on the ramp and the trainees stood in formation during the ceremony. Since completion of the new gymnasium coincided with the arrival of winter, Class 43- W- 8 had the first indoor graduation ceremony this was also the first ceremony to be held in the evening, thus making it necessary to dispense with the review of trainees.

Graduation Speaker: Colonel Norman B. Olson, Commanding Officer, South Plains Army Air Field, Lubbock, Texas

Master of Ceremonies: Lieutenant Patrick B. McAnany, Intelligence Officer, 318th AAFFTD Avenger Field, Sweetwater, Texas

Wings: The official WASP wings were awarded for the first time

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