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Dorothy Hoover Collection

Dorothy "Dot" Hoover (1917-2015), of Asheville, North Carolina, served in the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) from 1943 until 1944.

Basic Training squadron at Randolph Field, Texas
Basic Training Squadron 2 Flights A and B Class is pictured in front of a plane on 12 April 1944 at Randolph Field, Texas. The front row contains Women Airforce Service Pilots.
Dorothy Hoover beside airplane
WASP Dorothy Hoover, in flight suit with helmet and goggles, poses by the propeller of a Primary Trainer airplane, circa 1943.
Dorothy Hoover in airplane
WASP Dorothy Hoover, in leather flight jacket and goggles, stands in the cockpit of a PT Trainer airplane in Sweetwater, Texas, in 1943.
Dorothy Hoover in airplane cockpit
WASP Dorothy Hoover give the "V for Victory" sign while at the helm of a Primary Trainer airplane at Sweetwater, Texas, in 1943.
Dorothy Hoover on airplane wing
WASP Dorothy Hoover sits on the wing of a Basic Trainer airplane at Sweetwater, Texas, in 1943. She is wearing a flight suit, leather jacket, helmet and goggles.
Dorothy Hoover saluting
Dorothy Hoover salutes the cameraman, apparently wearing the WASP "General's white" uniform with khaki slacks, white shirt, and garrison cap at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas, in 1943.
Oral history interview with Dorothy Post Hoover
Primarily documents Dorothy "Dot" Post Hoover's early life and service with the WASP. Pre-service topics include Hoover's aspirations to become a writer and a pilot; admiration of Charles Lindbergh; attending the Civilian Pilot Training Program at Furman University, and her husband's call to active duty. " Hoover primarily discusses her WASP experiences, including her reasons for joining; her family's reaction to her enlistment; a typical day on base in Sweetwater, Texas; disappointment in being assigned to training service; distaste for twin engine planes; training under male instructors; working with various planes; life in Sweetwater; and moments she was scared when flying. She also describes flying a P-60 that pulled military gliders used for training; servicemen's response to working with women; towing targets for aerial gunnery practice; attending Basic Instructors' School; never receiving an official uniform; the disbandment of the WASP; and her reasons for not enlisting in the regular air force. " Other topics include: President Roosevelt's death; her husband's military service; her feelings on women in the service; WASP deaths during training; friendships with other WASPs; her brief time in the CAP (Civil Air Patrol); and her career as a court reporter.
Shadowbox with WASP name tag and pins, WWII and American Campaign medals, circa 1977
The avenger [11 May 1943]
Inaugural issue (Vol.1, No.1) of The Avenger, the newsletter for WASPs training at Avenger Field, Texas. Article topics include Jacqueline Cochran's formation of the WASP, description of a check ride, photos from Avenger Field, and biographies of select WASP trainees. 6 pages, illustrated, published 11 May 1943.
WASP "Songbook"
WASP "Songbook," containing songs of the Women Airforce Service Pilots.
WASP newsletter [December 1945]
Vol. 2, No.6 edition of the WASP Newsletter, a bi-monthly publication of the Order of Fifinella, a group of WASP alumnae. Article topics include: interesting flight stories from former WASPs and descriptions of their current activities in the U.S. and abroad; reports from the Texas, Los Angeles, and New York chapters; a form letter requesting separate command for the air force; and a survey on GI benefits for WASPs. 20 pages, illustrated, published December 1945.
WASPs on airplane wing
Dorothy Hoover stands on the wing of an Advanced Trainer airplane, while two other WASPs sit in the cockpit, circa 1943.

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