Kalamazoo WASP Pilot Honored 83 Years After Final Flight
West Michigan remembers Mabel Rawlinson, a Kalamazoo-based Women Airforce Service Pilot, on the 83rd anniversary of her final flight in WWII.
Mabel Rawlinson was one of 38 WASP pilots who died during WWII. She trained at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. The remembrance marks 83 years since her sacrifice.
Sunday, August 23, marks 83 years since the final flight of Mabel Rawlinson, a Kalamazoo woman who served as a Women Airforce Service Pilot during World War II. She was one of 38 WASP who died in service, a pioneering group that flew military aircraft to free up male pilots for combat.
Rawlinson trained at Western Michigan University, part of the WASP program based there. Her story connects West Michigan to a key chapter in aviation history, where women broke barriers in the military.
Advertisement
For Grand Rapids residents, this remembrance is a chance to honor local history and the sacrifices made by community members. It's a reminder of the often-overlooked roles women played in wartime efforts.
