Ann Baumgartner
Ann Baumgartner | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 27, 1918 |
| Died | March 20, 2008 (aged 89)[1] |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Army Air Forces |
| Unit | Women Airforce Service Pilots |
Ann G. Baumgartner Carl (August 27, 1918 – March 20, 2008) was an American
Early life
Ann G. Baumgartner was born in the United States Army Hospital in Augusta, Georgia, on August 27, 1918. Her father was stationed in France, so her mother moved the family to New Jersey to live with her grandparents. After her father returned to the United States, her family relocated to Plainfield, New Jersey,[3] where she attended Miss Hartridge's School for Girls (now Wardlaw-Hartridge School).[4] Her father was an engineer and patent attorney.[citation needed]
Her inspiration to fly came from a visit by
Baumgartner graduated from Walnut Hill High School in
While working in the
Women Airforce Service Pilots program
Originally, Baumgartner reported to
In February 1944, Baumgartner transferred to Wright Field near Dayton, Ohio for a temporary assignment to test aeromedical equipment being designed for the WASP program. While in Ohio, Baumgartner applied for an assignment in the Flight Test Division at Wright Field as an assistant operations officer. In March 1944 she was transferred to Wright Field as an assistant operations officer in the fighter test section.[2]
Originally her duties were primarily clerical, but over time she was permitted to fly as a test pilot. Additionally, Baumgartner was assigned to transport staff officers to other Army bases, and delivered planes as required. When Baumgartner worked in the bomber flight test division for a short time, she gained pilot and copilot experience in the B-17, B-24, B-29, the British de Havilland Mosquito, and the German Junkers Ju 88. After her reassignment back to the fighter test division, she flew America's first jet aircraft, the Bell YP-59A on October 14, 1944, becoming the first American woman to fly a jet. Her assignment as a fighter flight test pilot at Wright Field ended in December 1944 when the WASP program was disbanded.[2]
Marriage and family life
Baumgartner married Major William Carl on May 2, 1945. She met Carl, who designed the
Career
While her children were young, she worked in
Later life and death
During the final years of her life, Baumgartner (then Carl) resided in Kilmarnock, Virginia, with her husband. She continued writing, and authored A WASP among Eagles: a woman military test pilot in World War II that discussed her experience as an experimental test pilot in World War II. She also wrote "The Small World of Long Distance Sailors".[5][6]
Carl died at a nursing home in Kilmarnock on March 20, 2008. She was preceded in death by her husband on February 19, 2008.[6]
Notes
- ^ Ann Baumgartner's obituary
- ^ a b c d e f "FLYING FOR FREEDOM The Story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots" (PDF). Teacher Resource Guide. United States: National Museum of the United States Air Force. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 December 2010. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
- ^ ISBN 0-9708239-3-2. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
- ^ Notable Women of Plainfield, Plainfield Public Library. Accessed December 25, 2022. "Ann (Baumgartner) Carl (1918-2008) Born in 1918, Ann Baumgartner spent her early childhood in Plainfield, attending the Evergreen School and Miss Hartridge's School for Girls."
- ^ ISBN 978-1-928760-02-3. Archivedfrom the original on 12 April 2010. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
- ^ a b c d Calos, Katherine (Mar 22, 2008). "Ann G.B. Carl, first U.S. woman to fly jet, dies". Richmond Times-Dispactch. Richmond, Va: Richmond Times-Dispactch. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
