Helen Wyatt Snapp
Helen Maude Wyatt Snapp (May 1, 1918 – January 20, 2013) was an American aviator. Snapp became one of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) in 1943.
Biography[edit]
Snapp was born on May 1, 1918, and grew up in Washington, D.C.[1] She graduated from Western High School.[2] She planned on becoming a teacher and started taking classes at Mary Washington College.[3] She started flying during her summer break and later began to train with the Civilian Pilot Training Program.[3] Snapp married an infantry officer in the U.S. Army, Ira Benton Snapp, and shortly after he was sent overseas, she heard about the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP).[3] Snapp was initially rejected because she didn't have enough flying hours, but in 1943, the flight hour requirement was lowered and she was accepted.[3]
Snapp became a part of class 43 W-4 and trained at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas.[3] After she graduated, she was sent to Camp Davis Army Air Field.[1] She towed targets over the Atlantic and soldiers on the beach shot live ammunition at the target.[1] She was shortly after sent to Liberty Field near Fort Stewart where she was part of the 'R-Flight' program where she learned to fly radio-controlled drones.[1] She also served on New Castle Army Air Base.[4] She served as a WASP for two years and gained 1,000 hours of flight time.[2]
Snapp didn't talk about her time as a WASP with her family until the program was declassified in 1972.[5] Afterwards, she became an advocate for the WASP to be recognized officially as military veterans.[2] Snapp moved from Alexandria to Pembroke Pines in 1984.[2] She was presented with a Congressional Medal of Honor in 2010 for her service with WASP.[6]
Snapp died on January 20, 2013, in Pembroke Pines from complications coming after suffering a broken hip.[5][2] Her WASP uniform is in the collection of the Fort Stewart Museum.[7]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d Parrish, Nancy (2013-02-14). "WASP Final Flight: Helen Wyatt Snapp, 43-4 Jan. 20, 2013". WASP Final Flight. Archived from the original on 9 June 2015. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
- ^ a b c d e McDonough, Megan (1 March 2013). "Helen W. Snapp, Pilot, Postal Clerk". Washington Post. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "Helen Wyatt Snapp". The Portal to Texas History. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
- ^ Skrine, Sasha S. (9 December 2008). "WASP Exhibit opens in Arlington". 459th Air Refueling Wing. Archived from the original on 31 January 2019. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
- ^ a b Trischitta, Linda (2013-02-20). "Helen Wyatt Snapp, 94, Aviation Pioneer, Member of the WASPs". South Florida Sun Sentinel. pp. B4. Retrieved 2019-01-31 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Special Guests Pay Wings a Visit!". Wings Over Miami. 5 March 2011. Archived from the original on 31 January 2019. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
- ^ "Forgotten Women Part 9: Helen Wyatt Snapp". Georgia Public Broadcasting. 2015-12-10. Archived from the original on 16 December 2015. Retrieved 2019-01-31.