Marjery Moore Holben (1920-2000) was a pilot for the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) from 1943-1944. Marjery Moore Holben was born on 16 August, 1920 in Roanoke, Virginia to Charles E. and Alice E. Moore. From a young age she had an interest in aviation and she completed Aviation Ground School in Roanoke on 15 July 1941 and earned her pilot’s license in April, 1942. In February 1943, Holben was part the 4th class of WASPs who began their training as the 319th Army Air Force Flying Training Detachment (AAFFTD), stationed at the Houston, Texas Airport. The class completed their training in Sweetwater, Texas. The class graduated in August, 1943. In September 1943, Holben was assigned to the 3rd Tow Target Squadron, Army Air Force Field at Camp Davis, North Carolina where she flew planes that towed targets for coastal artillery gunners training. In March 1944, Holben was transferred to the 142nd Army Air Force Base Unit at Camp Stewart, Georgia, where she remained on duty until the WASP was deactivated in December, 1944. Holben moved back to Roanoke and became a flight instructor. In February, 1946, she married USMC Second Lieutenant Donald Holben and they moved to Pasadena, California. In February, 1950, Holben was commissioned as a first lieutenant in the United States Air Force Reserves and was honorably discharged in August 1955. Holben died in Oceanside, California on 17 January, 2000.
