Washington, D.C., March 9, 2010: Capt. Kim Link, right, of the 336 Air Refueling Squadron, listens as Kathryn Gunderson tells stories about her time in the Women Airforce Service Pilots program at a welcoming reception for the WASP pilots. “I earned $15 a week, and had to pay $7 a day to put myself through flight school,” said Gunderson.

WASP pilots flew non-combat missions during World War II to free up male pilots for service overseas, and were the first women to fly U.S. military planes. Despite their non-combat role, 38 were killed in service. It took until 1977 for them to receive official veteran status and recognition.

The WASP pilots were in Washington to accept the Congressional Gold Medal for their service on March 10, 2010.