In 1975 under the leadership of Col. Bruce Arnold , the son of General Hap Arnold , along with the surviving WASP members organized as a group again and began what they called the " Battle of Congress " . Their goal was to gain public support and have the WASP officially recognized as veterans of World War II . In 1976 , there was a bill in the Senate Veteran 's Affairs Committee to give the WASPs military status . The bill would allow WASP pilots to use veteran 's services . In 1977 , WASP records were unsealed after an Air Force press release erroneously stated the Air Force was training the first women to fly military aircraft for the U.S. Documents were compiled that showed during their service WASP members were subject to military discipline , assigned top secret missions and many members were awarded service ribbons after their units were disbanded . It was also shown that WASP member Helen Porter had been issued a Honorable Discharge certificate by her commanding officer following her service . This time , the WASPs lobbied Congress with the important support of Goldwater , who himself had been a World War II ferry pilot in the 27th Ferrying Squadron . During hearings on the legislation opposition to the WASP members being given military recognition was voiced by the Veterans Administration ( VA ) , the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars ( VFW ) . The VA , led by Dorothy L. Starbuck , argued that WASP should not be given military recognition because the women were never subject to court martial . The VFW felt that giving WASP military recognition would " destroy the special status of veterans and do irreparable damage to veterans benefits . " President Jimmy Carter signed legislation , P.L. 95 – 202 , Section 401 , The G.I. Bill Improvement Act of 1977 , providing that service as a WASP would be considered " active duty " for the purposes of programs administered by the Veterans Administration . Honorable Discharge certificates were issued to the former WASP members in 1979 . In 1984 , each WASP was awarded the World War II Victory Medal . Those who served for more than one year were also awarded American Theater Ribbon/American Campaign Medal for their service during the war . Many of the medals were accepted by the recipients ' sons and daughters on their behalf
World War II Victory Medal
World War II Victory Medal (United States)
Women Airforce Service Pilots