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Finding Dorothy Scott: Letters of a WASP Pilot
More than eleven hundred women pilots flew military aircraft for the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. These pioneering female aviators were known first as WAFS (Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron) and eventually as WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots). Thirty-eight of them died while serving their country.
Dorothy Scott was one of the thirty-eight. She died in a mid-air crash at the age of twenty-three.
Born in 1920, Scott was a member of the first group of women selected to fly as ferry pilots for the Army Air Forces. Her story would have been lost had her twin brother not donated her wartime letters home to the WASP Archives. Dorothy's extraordinary voice, as heard through her lively letters, tells of her initial decision to serve, and then of her training and service, first as a part of the WAFS and then the WASP. The letters offer a window into the mind of a young, patriotic, funny, and ambitious young woman who was determined to use her piloting skills to help the US war effort. The letters also offer archival records of the day-to-day barracks life for the first women to fly military aircraft. The WASP received some long overdue recognition in 2010 when they were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal-the highest honor that Congress can bestow on civilians.
Dorothy Scott was one of the thirty-eight. She died in a mid-air crash at the age of twenty-three.
Born in 1920, Scott was a member of the first group of women selected to fly as ferry pilots for the Army Air Forces. Her story would have been lost had her twin brother not donated her wartime letters home to the WASP Archives. Dorothy's extraordinary voice, as heard through her lively letters, tells of her initial decision to serve, and then of her training and service, first as a part of the WAFS and then the WASP. The letters offer a window into the mind of a young, patriotic, funny, and ambitious young woman who was determined to use her piloting skills to help the US war effort. The letters also offer archival records of the day-to-day barracks life for the first women to fly military aircraft. The WASP received some long overdue recognition in 2010 when they were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal-the highest honor that Congress can bestow on civilians.
- GenresNonfiction
288 pages, Hardcover
First published May 30, 2016
About the author
Sarah Byrn Rickman
13 books11 followersThe National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) awarded Sarah's two-volume work, “WASP Pilots,” their 17th Annual Combs-Gates Award. The award is presented for projects that reflect an emphasis on the individual pioneers – the people – who defined America’s aerospace horizons. This is the second time Sarah has won the Combs-Gates Award.
The WASP Pilots Series, written for readers age 10 to adult, now consists of three biographies: the World War II stories of three outstanding women pilots Nancy Love: WASP Pilot; ‘BJ’ Erickson: WASP Pilot and the newest, released October 15, 2020, Betty Gillies: WAFS Pilot..
Sarah is a former reporter/columnist for The Detroit News (Michigan) and former editor of the Centerville-Bellbrook Times (Ohio). She earned her B.A. in English from Vanderbilt University and an M.A. in Creative Writing from Antioch University McGregor.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 31, 2017
Rating: 4* of five
#WomensHistoryMonth is the perfect time to go about FINDING DOROTHY SCOTT and her WASP/WAFS sisters. My appreciative review is live.
Woman military pilots? WWII? Really! Who knew?
#WomensHistoryMonth is the perfect time to go about FINDING DOROTHY SCOTT and her WASP/WAFS sisters. My appreciative review is live.
Woman military pilots? WWII? Really! Who knew?
March 23, 2025
A book about the formation of the WASP (formerly WAFS). In particular this book followed the life of Dorothy Scott a pilot killed as the result of a training accident. This book was partially the transcript of several letters that Dorothy wrote to her family which made it really interesting.
February 15, 2020
Numerous times I’ve driven past Sweetwater, Texas, often stopping along the interstate for a bathroom break or a bite of food. Around 2007 - on one of my trips I saw a sign about the WASP Museum. “WASP” what the heck was that I wondered?
It was not until seeing a presentation later at a West Texas Historical Association conference that I learned what WASP stood for – Women Airforce Service Pilots. The museum itself was officially established in 2005.
Trained in Sweetwater, Texas, and other parts of the country these women flew airplanes, trained combat pilots, and towed airborne targets during World War II. This was an unknown history I never knew about regarding World War II.
You immediately meet Dorothy upon opening the book. She was a beautiful woman in 1942. Her photo sets the tone for what you are about to read on her brief time being an airforce pilot.
This nonfiction book is carried through with letters that span a little over 13 months when Dorothy was in the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron later becoming WASP. Letters are an invaluable, powerful primary source for writing history. Through these letters, a reader gets to know Dorothy’s personality, how she loved flying, and most importantly that she was a doer.
Letters also set the mood of a time in history almost giving you the ability to step back in time yourself to that period in time. With Dorothy’s letters, you get a sense of what it was like being apart of this training and service.
Writing history is challenging and further condensing it is harder. Rickman did an admirable job by interweaving Dorothy’s letters with the history of the time when the letters were written. It also provides a basic overview of women in aviation starting in 1903.
According to the author, there were 1,102 women pilots apart of this program and 38 of them died serving their country. “Finding Dorothy Scott” is essential reading for anyone interested in WWII history or the heroism of women.
These brave, selfless women deserve recognition because this is an unfamiliar history many people do not know unless you are driving down I20 in Texas around Sweetwater. “Finding Dorothy Scott” relays this history well, making you want to learn more.
Sadly, Dorothy’s life was tragically cut short by a flying accident. There is no telling what she would have accomplished if she had lived. In one letter during her service she wrote, “What-a-life-“ For a brief period, she lived a life she loved – flying. Thank you for your service Dorothy and to all the other WASPs.
It was not until seeing a presentation later at a West Texas Historical Association conference that I learned what WASP stood for – Women Airforce Service Pilots. The museum itself was officially established in 2005.
Trained in Sweetwater, Texas, and other parts of the country these women flew airplanes, trained combat pilots, and towed airborne targets during World War II. This was an unknown history I never knew about regarding World War II.
You immediately meet Dorothy upon opening the book. She was a beautiful woman in 1942. Her photo sets the tone for what you are about to read on her brief time being an airforce pilot.
This nonfiction book is carried through with letters that span a little over 13 months when Dorothy was in the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron later becoming WASP. Letters are an invaluable, powerful primary source for writing history. Through these letters, a reader gets to know Dorothy’s personality, how she loved flying, and most importantly that she was a doer.
Letters also set the mood of a time in history almost giving you the ability to step back in time yourself to that period in time. With Dorothy’s letters, you get a sense of what it was like being apart of this training and service.
Writing history is challenging and further condensing it is harder. Rickman did an admirable job by interweaving Dorothy’s letters with the history of the time when the letters were written. It also provides a basic overview of women in aviation starting in 1903.
According to the author, there were 1,102 women pilots apart of this program and 38 of them died serving their country. “Finding Dorothy Scott” is essential reading for anyone interested in WWII history or the heroism of women.
These brave, selfless women deserve recognition because this is an unfamiliar history many people do not know unless you are driving down I20 in Texas around Sweetwater. “Finding Dorothy Scott” relays this history well, making you want to learn more.
Sadly, Dorothy’s life was tragically cut short by a flying accident. There is no telling what she would have accomplished if she had lived. In one letter during her service she wrote, “What-a-life-“ For a brief period, she lived a life she loved – flying. Thank you for your service Dorothy and to all the other WASPs.
January 9, 2017
Sarah Byrn Rickman has written a captivating, scholarly biography of Dorothy Faeth Scott, the 25th woman to join the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) in November, 1942. Finding Dorothy Scott: Letters of a WASP Pilot is a masterpiece, written by an author who has made a years-long study of these fascinating women who gave so much to our country.
America was at war, in both Europe and the Pacific, and pilots were critically needed for combat. In order to free up the male pilots, civilian women were trained and called into service to deliver liaison and fighter planes from factory to training fields and embarkation bases throughout the continental United States.
Even before the war, many women showed interest in flying and some had even made a living as pilots. As a child, Dorothy had been fascinated with flying and was a regular visitor at the small airport near their hometown of Oroville, Washington. Dorothy Scott graduated from the University of Washington Pilot Training Program, and after joining WAFS had extensive additional training in the various planes being used in combat. Much to their chagrin, the women were only allowed to ferry planes within the United States and Canada, not overseas like their fellow male pilots.
WAFS’ life was not easy. They weren’t always well received and, although they followed military protocol, WAFS were still civilians. They didn’t have the advantages of male military pilots, such as riding back to their base aboard military transport after delivery. The American Red Cross played a significant role in assisting the women pilots with a meal and transportation to civilian airports so they could return to their home base.
In 1943 the name WAFS was changed to WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots), which also broadened the scope of their duties. Many graduates of flight school served in different jobs around the country, such as instructors, in addition to ferrying planes. But the women were still considered civilians without the privileges or pay of military pilots. When their unit was disbanded in 1944, many WASP even had to pay their own bus fare home.
The driving forces in this biography are the letters Dorothy wrote to her family during her time of service, letters that surfaced in 2000. These letters give a sense of time, place and mood of the country during these war years. Through these letters, Dorothy’s strong, steady voice relates her struggles, victories and her love of family.
Finding Dorothy Scott is an intriguing study of the life and times of these exceptional women who filled a needed void during World War II. After a long struggle, the WASP were afforded Veteran status in 1977. The biography concludes with news of belated but much-welcomed recognition when, on July 1, 2009, President Obama signed into law a bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). The description of the ceremony and a joyous reunion serves as a satisfying ending to this extraordinary story.
Sarah Byrn Rickman is the author of five previous books about the WASP, the women who flew for the U.S. Army in WWII. To learn more about the author, visit http://sarahbyrnrickman.com/
America was at war, in both Europe and the Pacific, and pilots were critically needed for combat. In order to free up the male pilots, civilian women were trained and called into service to deliver liaison and fighter planes from factory to training fields and embarkation bases throughout the continental United States.
Even before the war, many women showed interest in flying and some had even made a living as pilots. As a child, Dorothy had been fascinated with flying and was a regular visitor at the small airport near their hometown of Oroville, Washington. Dorothy Scott graduated from the University of Washington Pilot Training Program, and after joining WAFS had extensive additional training in the various planes being used in combat. Much to their chagrin, the women were only allowed to ferry planes within the United States and Canada, not overseas like their fellow male pilots.
WAFS’ life was not easy. They weren’t always well received and, although they followed military protocol, WAFS were still civilians. They didn’t have the advantages of male military pilots, such as riding back to their base aboard military transport after delivery. The American Red Cross played a significant role in assisting the women pilots with a meal and transportation to civilian airports so they could return to their home base.
In 1943 the name WAFS was changed to WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots), which also broadened the scope of their duties. Many graduates of flight school served in different jobs around the country, such as instructors, in addition to ferrying planes. But the women were still considered civilians without the privileges or pay of military pilots. When their unit was disbanded in 1944, many WASP even had to pay their own bus fare home.
The driving forces in this biography are the letters Dorothy wrote to her family during her time of service, letters that surfaced in 2000. These letters give a sense of time, place and mood of the country during these war years. Through these letters, Dorothy’s strong, steady voice relates her struggles, victories and her love of family.
Finding Dorothy Scott is an intriguing study of the life and times of these exceptional women who filled a needed void during World War II. After a long struggle, the WASP were afforded Veteran status in 1977. The biography concludes with news of belated but much-welcomed recognition when, on July 1, 2009, President Obama signed into law a bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). The description of the ceremony and a joyous reunion serves as a satisfying ending to this extraordinary story.
Sarah Byrn Rickman is the author of five previous books about the WASP, the women who flew for the U.S. Army in WWII. To learn more about the author, visit http://sarahbyrnrickman.com/
June 1, 2016
“Experiencing the letters was like taking literary communion. They beckoned to me to “take, read.” "
Much of what makes Finding Dorothy Scott: Letters of a WASP Pilot excellent is the author’s passion and connection she made to her subject matter. When letters recently surfaced, written from 1942-1943 from Dorothy Scott to her family, Sarah Byrn Rickman clearly felt called to write about Scott, one of the nation’s first women to fly its military aircraft. Readers not only get a glimpse into young Dorothy’s incredible and tragically short life but so much more.
I knew of the existence of the WASP WWII Memorial Museum simply because I’d seen the exit signs on I20 on one of my many trips driving from Fort Worth to Lubbock, Texas and back. I knew that WASP stood for Women Airforce Service Pilots – I learned that in middle school – but I didn’t know much more. For mostly uninformed readers like myself, chapter after chapter of Finding Dorothy Scott reveals pieces of American history that I’d never heard before. (FDR had a female pilot on his campaign for the presidency!) I was enlightened that so many women were accepted into the world of aviation given that they were struggling for so many basic rights in the same time period. I was disheartened by the limits set upon their service and the lame, unfair reasons behind the limits.
The actual letters included in the book give an extraordinary snapshot of the lives of the WAFS/WASP who were part of our military without technically being part of our military – yet another travesty in American history (though corrected many years after these women served our country). Dorothy’s enthusiasm for flying and learning and living life to its fullest made it all the more difficult to see how her life ended. Author Sarah Byrn Rickman honors Dorothy’s life – and all the WAFS/WASP – in the best way possible by putting it in writing so their stories are never lost or forgotten.
The writing is intelligent without being overly academic, and the research is outstanding. Rickman providess plenty of additional resources including a must read preface (you’ll miss too much if you skip it), appendices, a bibliography, notes, and an index to support the text. Additionally, the inclusion of lots of photographs really enhances the information presented, making Dorothy, her experiences, and the people in Dorothy’s life very real and all the more memorable.
Reading Finding Dorothy Scott has filled-in a huge piece of American WWII history for me in an eye-opening fashion about yet another “unsung hero” role women played. I can say that next time I make that trek west on I20, I know of a new exit I will take and a museum I will be visiting in Sweetwater, Texas.
Thank you to the Texas Tech University Press and Lone Star Book Blog Tours for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review – the only kind I give. Full review and extra features on Hall Ways Blog http://kristinehallways.blogspot.com/...
Much of what makes Finding Dorothy Scott: Letters of a WASP Pilot excellent is the author’s passion and connection she made to her subject matter. When letters recently surfaced, written from 1942-1943 from Dorothy Scott to her family, Sarah Byrn Rickman clearly felt called to write about Scott, one of the nation’s first women to fly its military aircraft. Readers not only get a glimpse into young Dorothy’s incredible and tragically short life but so much more.
I knew of the existence of the WASP WWII Memorial Museum simply because I’d seen the exit signs on I20 on one of my many trips driving from Fort Worth to Lubbock, Texas and back. I knew that WASP stood for Women Airforce Service Pilots – I learned that in middle school – but I didn’t know much more. For mostly uninformed readers like myself, chapter after chapter of Finding Dorothy Scott reveals pieces of American history that I’d never heard before. (FDR had a female pilot on his campaign for the presidency!) I was enlightened that so many women were accepted into the world of aviation given that they were struggling for so many basic rights in the same time period. I was disheartened by the limits set upon their service and the lame, unfair reasons behind the limits.
The actual letters included in the book give an extraordinary snapshot of the lives of the WAFS/WASP who were part of our military without technically being part of our military – yet another travesty in American history (though corrected many years after these women served our country). Dorothy’s enthusiasm for flying and learning and living life to its fullest made it all the more difficult to see how her life ended. Author Sarah Byrn Rickman honors Dorothy’s life – and all the WAFS/WASP – in the best way possible by putting it in writing so their stories are never lost or forgotten.
The writing is intelligent without being overly academic, and the research is outstanding. Rickman providess plenty of additional resources including a must read preface (you’ll miss too much if you skip it), appendices, a bibliography, notes, and an index to support the text. Additionally, the inclusion of lots of photographs really enhances the information presented, making Dorothy, her experiences, and the people in Dorothy’s life very real and all the more memorable.
Reading Finding Dorothy Scott has filled-in a huge piece of American WWII history for me in an eye-opening fashion about yet another “unsung hero” role women played. I can say that next time I make that trek west on I20, I know of a new exit I will take and a museum I will be visiting in Sweetwater, Texas.
Thank you to the Texas Tech University Press and Lone Star Book Blog Tours for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review – the only kind I give. Full review and extra features on Hall Ways Blog http://kristinehallways.blogspot.com/...
June 28, 2016
I received a copy of this book via Lone Star Literary Life.
When I started reading about Dorothy Scott, I admit to not knowing much about her or the WAFS. I found myself immediately intrigued by this young woman and her tenacity to pursue flight. Dorothy, like most of us, was head strong and willing to put in the hard work for her dream of flying. Even when faced with a collarbone injury that laid her out for weeks, Dorothy continued to educate herself on her craft and hone her skills as best she could.
As I read about Dorothy and the WAFS, I felt such a sense of feminine pride. These women were strong women who stopped at nothing and were willing to fly anything just so that they could be in the skies. I never knew about Dorothy and the WAFS' involvement during WWII so this was a very eye opening moment for me. Learning about how they lived on the bases and pretty much maintained themselves as soldiers was amazing to me.
My absolute favorite part of Finding Dorothy Scott though were the photos. The photos were magnificent and brought to life what I imagine to be a trying yet wondrous time for Dorothy and the other WAFS. I was equally captivated by the details in which Dorothy put into her letters. It's almost as if she somehow knew she would one day be letting us all into her world.
Her life and accomplishments, as well as the rest of the WAFS, continue to inspire. I found myself stopping in between chapters to do some research on Dorothy and just couldn't pull myself away from her story. Thank you so much Sarah for sharing her letters with us, and thank you Dorothy for writing them.
When I started reading about Dorothy Scott, I admit to not knowing much about her or the WAFS. I found myself immediately intrigued by this young woman and her tenacity to pursue flight. Dorothy, like most of us, was head strong and willing to put in the hard work for her dream of flying. Even when faced with a collarbone injury that laid her out for weeks, Dorothy continued to educate herself on her craft and hone her skills as best she could.
As I read about Dorothy and the WAFS, I felt such a sense of feminine pride. These women were strong women who stopped at nothing and were willing to fly anything just so that they could be in the skies. I never knew about Dorothy and the WAFS' involvement during WWII so this was a very eye opening moment for me. Learning about how they lived on the bases and pretty much maintained themselves as soldiers was amazing to me.
My absolute favorite part of Finding Dorothy Scott though were the photos. The photos were magnificent and brought to life what I imagine to be a trying yet wondrous time for Dorothy and the other WAFS. I was equally captivated by the details in which Dorothy put into her letters. It's almost as if she somehow knew she would one day be letting us all into her world.
Her life and accomplishments, as well as the rest of the WAFS, continue to inspire. I found myself stopping in between chapters to do some research on Dorothy and just couldn't pull myself away from her story. Thank you so much Sarah for sharing her letters with us, and thank you Dorothy for writing them.
January 29, 2017
This is an excellent book, , because it not only tells the excited personal story of Dorothy Scott, but it also describes the interesting history of the WAFS and the WASP. Being an aviatrix in wartime meant hard work.
To read more, see my review on https://oorlogsboekenreviews.wordpres...
To read more, see my review on https://oorlogsboekenreviews.wordpres...
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews