Ola Mildred Rexroat
Ola Mildred Rexroat (August 28, 1917 – June 28, 2017) was the only Native American woman to serve in the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP).[1][2][3] After that she joined the Air Force, where she served for ten years as an air traffic controller.[2][3][4] In 2007 she was inducted into the South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame.[5] She was the last surviving WASP in South Dakota.[1]
Ola Mildred Rexroat | |
---|---|
Born | 28 August 1917 |
Died | June 28, 2017 | (aged 99)
Known for | Only Native American woman to serve in the Women Airforce Service Pilots |
Rexroat was an Oglala Sioux from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.[6] She earned a bachelor's degree in art from the University of New Mexico in 1939.[7][8]
Rexroat died in Hot Springs, South Dakota on June 30, 2017 at the age of 99.[9]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Nick Penzenstadler Journal staff. "Last surrviving South Dakota WASP, 'Sexy Rexy', recalls World War II service". Rapid City Journal.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "WASP filled with colorful pilots". St. George News. 11 June 2015.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Warriors at Heart: Some of the Native Women Who Served in the Military". Indian Country Today Media Network.com.
- ↑ William C. Sturtevant (1978). Handbook of North American Indians: Indians in contemporary society. Government Printing Office. pp. 13–. ISBN 978-0-16-080388-8.
- ↑ "WASP OLA REXROAT".
- ↑ "Women In Military Service For America Memorial".
- ↑ "NATIVE WOMEN VETERANS - www.lakotacountrytimes.com - Lakota Country Times".
- ↑ Long, Steve. "WWII WASP with Pine Ridge roots: "A Long the Way"".
- ↑ Ola Rexroat-McDonald Obituary