Wings of Gold

The Story of the First Women Naval Aviators

De: Beverly Weintraub

Narrado por: Sandra Murphy

On February 2, 2019, the skies over Maynardville, Tennessee, filled with the roar of four F/A-18F Super Hornets streaking overhead in close formation. In each aircraft were two young female flyers, executing the first all-woman Missing Man Formation flyover in Navy history in memory of Captain Rosemary Mariner - groundbreaking Navy jet pilot, inspiring commander, determined and dedicated leader - whose drive to ensure the United States military had its choice of the best America had to offer, both men and women, broke down barriers and opened doors for female aviators wanting to serve their country.

Selected for Navy flight training as an experiment in 1972, Mariner and her five fellow graduates from the inaugural group of female Naval Aviators racked up an impressive roster of achievements and firsts: first woman to fly a tactical jet aircraft; first woman to command an aviation squadron; first female Hurricane Hunter; first pregnant Navy pilot; plaintiff in a federal lawsuit that overturned limits on women's ability to fulfill their military duty.

Leading by example, and by confrontation when necessary, they challenged deep skepticism within the fleet and blazed a trail for female aviators wanting to serve their country equally with their male counterparts.

This is the story of their struggles and triumphs as they earned their Wings of Gold, learned to fly increasingly sophisticated jet fighters and helicopters, mastered aircraft carrier landings, served at sea, and reached heights of command that would have been unthinkable less than a generation before. And it is the story of the legacy they left behind, one for which the women performing the Navy’s first Missing Woman Flyover in Mariner’s memory owe a debt of gratitude.

©2021 Beverly Weintraub (P)2021 Rowman & Littlefield

A real record of real women possessing courage and gravitas

Thank you Beverly Weintraub for a well researched well told history. This wonderful narrative was read by a person whose talent could best serve a subject of less significance. There were times I almost couldn’t listen. It’s a shame you let Jim Webb choose the narrator.

They paved the way for me.

Great historical account. I had the great fortune to serve as an Army helicopter and airplane pilot from 1982 to 1992. I was at the right place at the right time. These women before me enabled me to have an overall great experience!

Outstanding history of truly remarkable women

Great narration of the amazing history of truly remarkable women and the challenges they encountered as they blqzed the trail of women in avaition.

A story hard to hear

A story hard to hear that needed to be told about brave American female aviator stars.

MUST-READ for all women+men wearing military wings

KNOW OUR HISTORY.

CELEBRATE how we got here and the women who wouldn't accept the status quo..