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Women Pilots in WWII: The Original Fly Girls

Military Myths and Legends, World War II

Women have been involved in aviation from the beginnings of both lighter-than air travel and as airplanes, helicopters and space travel were developed. Women pilots were also formerly called "aviatrices". During World War II, women from every continent helped with war efforts and though mostly restricted from military flight many of the female pilots flew in auxiliary services. Americans Refused to Believe the War Was Inevitable Like most Americans in the late 1930s, President Franklin...

PO2 Jeff Bridges, U.S Coast Guard Reserves (1967-1975)

Celebrities Who Served, Vietnam War

Jeff Bridges is an Academy Award-winning actor, a musician, a photographer, and a philanthropist. He served in the US Coast Guard Reserves between 1967 and 1975, but he was a showbiz presence before he ever put on a uniform. The son of renowned Hollywood actor Lloyd Bridges, both his brother Beau and Jeff made appearances with their father on the TV series Sea Hunt between 1958 and 1960. Perhaps it was his father’s Coast Guard Auxiliary experience, combined with the Coast Guard role Lloyd...

Service Reflections of MST3 John Loughrey, U.S. Coast Guard (1969-1973)

Coast Guard Reflections, Vietnam War

Three things influenced my decision to join the Coast Guard.

First, I had just graduated from high school and did not have the drive to attend college.

Service Reflections of CWO4 Charles Rathgeber, U.S. Coast Guard (1971-1999)

Coast Guard Reflections, Cold War

When I became aware that I was not interested in finishing college in my sophomore year, I sought out the local Coast Guard recruiter, but they were not looking for entry-level recruits at that time. As my draft number was low and I was soon to be status 1A, Dad had served in the Navy in WWII, so I talked to the Navy recruiter and enlisted in December 1971.

Service Reflections of BM1 Alvin O’Brien, U.S. Coast Guard (1996-2012)

Coast Guard Reflections, Global War on Terror

I had graduated high school and had no desire to continue my education. I started working in the “Chemical Plants” for a 3rd party contractor. After about three months, I was laid off. I told myself this was not the life for me to live.

I looked at the Armed Services, more particularly the Air Force. My dad mentioned the USCG, and I said who? He said USCG. I see them guys drive boats up and down the Houston Ship Channel all the time and issue tickets for missing bolts on flanges over the water. So we decided to see a recruiter. When he showed me the recruiting video of a 44 MLB crashing through the surf, I said that is what I want to do. He said sign here, and the rest is history.

Service Reflections of GMC Jory Luchsinger, U.S. Coast Guard (1965-2001)

Coast Guard Reflections, Vietnam War

My father and his two brothers were all WWII veterans, and my great grandfather was a Civil War vet for the Union Army. With the draft approaching in 1965, my dad suggested I start thinking about what I was going to do since I was out of college for a semester and had lost my student deferment.

Service Reflections of ET2 Alan Spielman, U.S. Coast Guard (1979-1988)

Coast Guard Reflections, Cold War

I was interested in electronics but found it difficult to work 8 hours, go to school 8 hours, and study at least 4 hours a day, and I burnt out. I researched all the services and found the Coast Guard electronic technicians trained on everything, and they only specialized between aircraft and all others.

So I joined to get electronics school where I could work on everything from small boats to large cutters, buoy tenders, ice breakers, Loran (long-range aids to navigation), lighthouses, shore stations, communication stations, and remote aids/high sites.

Service Reflections of ET2 David Hendrick, U.S. Coast Guard (1960-1964)

Coast Guard Reflections, Vietnam War

When I lost my student deferment at age 23 in 1959, I was ranked 1-A in the draft. I saw the handwriting on the wall and started thinking more about getting drafted into the Army. I didn’t want to be “Dog Face” and live in a Pup Tent.

I asked for advice from my parents, my Uncle Herman, and my brother, who had been in the Navy during WWII and in the Coast Guard. My brother advised me to join the Coast Guard. I eventually visited my local Coast Guard recruiter in San Diego.

I took many tests, listened to him advise me on Coast Guard life and the schools I could attend if qualified after Boot Camp. While he graded my tests, I sat there and thought things over. My test results put me in the 98th percentile of test-takers. I told him I wanted to be an Electronic Technician. He said he couldn’t guarantee I would get that school after I graduated from Boot Camp, but he thought I had a good chance.

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Women Pilots in WWII: The Original Fly Girls

PO2 Jeff Bridges, U.S Coast Guard Reserves (1967-1975)

Service Reflections of MST3 John Loughrey, U.S. Coast Guard (1969-1973)

Service Reflections of CWO4 Charles Rathgeber, U.S. Coast Guard (1971-1999)

Service Reflections of BM1 Alvin O’Brien, U.S. Coast Guard (1996-2012)

Service Reflections of GMC Jory Luchsinger, U.S. Coast Guard (1965-2001)

Service Reflections of ET2 Alan Spielman, U.S. Coast Guard (1979-1988)

Service Reflections of ET2 David Hendrick, U.S. Coast Guard (1960-1964)

Veteran Finder App

Destroyed Military Records. A Disaster with Long-Lasting Repercussions

Sculpture Honors Military Working Dogs

Stars & Stripes Newspaper Partners With Together We Served

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