Marie Mountain Clark: Iowa Time Machine August 18, 1944

Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On August 18, 1944, the Sioux City Herald reported on Marie Mountain Clark of Iowa, who served as a pilot in the Women's Air Force Service Pilots (WASP) during World War II. The WASP program was a pioneering initiative that trained women to fly military aircraft, relieving male pilots for combat duty. 

Born on February 8, 1915, in a modest farmhouse in West Liberty, Iowa, Marie grew up in West Des Moines, where her family pioneered dairy farming through the Iowanola Dairy, known for breeding purebred Guernsey cattle and producing rich, high-butterfat milk. From an early age, Marie demonstrated exceptional talent in music, which would become a lifelong passion and career. An accomplished flutist, Marie’s musical journey took her from her roots in Iowa to concert halls and music schools across the country. She held the prestigious position of Principal Flute in the Drake University-Des Moines Symphony Orchestra and the Ann Arbor Symphony, as well as orchestras around Boston, Massachusetts. 

Marie Mountain Clark became one of the pioneering Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), who broke gender barriers by serving as the first female pilots in the U.S. Air Force. Graduating from pilot training in February 1944, Marie accumulated nearly 1,000 hours flying a range of military aircraft, including training planes like the PT-19 and AT-6, fighter planes such as the P-39 and P-63, and even co-piloting heavy bombers like the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-26 Marauder. Stationed at the Las Vegas Air Force Base, her multifaceted duties included instrument flying instruction for male pilots, practicing mock fighter attacks, and engineering test piloting. Her bravery and skill earned her membership in the Caterpillar Club, a distinguished group of aviators who survived emergency parachute jumps.

The Women Airforce Service Pilots, including Marie, were trailblazers whose service opened the skies for future generations of female military aviators. Despite early challenges in gaining recognition, their groundbreaking contributions eventually received the respect and honor they deserved. In 2005, Marie captured her extraordinary experiences and heartfelt letters home in her autobiography, Dear Mother and Daddy: World War II Letters Home from a WASP. This memoir offers an invaluable personal glimpse into the life of a woman who combined patriotic courage with artistic grace. #IowaOTD #IowaHistoryDaily #IowaHistoryCalendar