Alabama woman to get Congressional Gold Medal for WWII service

An Alabama woman who test piloted American warplanes in the 1940s is headed to Washington, D.C., to be honored with other women for their World War Two military service.

Mary Helen Foster of Northport will receive the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor for civilians.

Foster served in the Women Airforce Service Pilots during World War II. She was based at Malden Army Airfield in Missouri and flew C-47s, which carried paratroopers.

Women weren't allowed in combat zones during the war. But they delivered planes to stateside bases, transported cargo and personnel and tested planes for safety.

In 1977, President Jimmy Carter signed a bill recognizing the WASP service as active duty in the armed forces and entitling them to veterans' benefits.

from Associated Press