Jane Straughan
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Jane Straughan | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jane Sincell Straughan August 24, 1913 |
| Died | March 12, 2007 (aged 93) |
Jane Sincell Straughan (August 24, 1913 – March 12, 2007) was an American aviator known for her contribution as a
Childhood
Jane Sincell Straughan was born on August 24, 1913, in Washington, D.C. She was the daughter of Charles William Sincell and Wilhelmina Sincell.[1]
At the age of two Straughan's mother died and Charles William Sincell was left to raise the family, which included her and her two older brothers. Her entire childhood was spent in Washington, D.C. Her interest in flying developed after dating her future husband, Al Straughan, but other than her husband she had stated, "The family just thought I was a little crazy. They didn't think it was a good idea."[1]
Education
Straughan was a graduate of
Marriage and family
Jane Straughan's interest in flying and aviation began when she started dating her future husband, Alfred W. Straughan. They dated through the Great Depression and on June 12, 1937, they were married. Since their courtship and marriage were through the Depression, they had to decide how much they were willing to spend on learning to fly. The Straughans had to make a decision. "Neither of us could fly. I wanted to save for a small house. We made an agreement. I would solo and if I didn't like flying, we would buy a house. I soloed in 1938, and we bought a Cub." Straughan and her husband had twin sons, John W. "Jack" Straughan and Charles W. "Bill" Straughan.
Aviation and WASP
Straughan's love for flying began when she and her husband bought a Cub. Before the two bought the plane, Jane was apprehensive. She wanted to save their money since the country was in a depression, but she eventually succumbed to the idea. Jane learned how to fly in a 40-horsepower Cub, the Silver Beauty. She trained at the Queen's Chapel Airport. In 1938, Jane received her flying license.
Straughan joined the Ninety-Nines, a women's flying group in Washington. Soon after,
In November 1942, six girls of the Ninety-Nines reported to the Rice Hotel in Houston. Straughan tried to room at
were used in training at the Houston field. Straughan became a part of class 43-W-1, the first class of WASP.Straughan's first base was the New Castle Army Air Base in Wilmington, Delaware with the WAFS. Straughan remained here until the deactivation of WASP. Once, Jackie Cochran wanted Straughan to be sent to
In December 1944, WASP was deactivated on the verge of WASP militarization.
Later years
After holding a position as an Aircraft Accident Analyst on the
Death
Straughan died at the age of 93 on March 12, 2007. She had been living at the Berlin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Maryland. Her husband, Alfred Straughan, and grandson, Scott Straughan, died before her in 1981 and 2003, respectively. She is survived by two sons—John and Charles Straughan, three grandchildren—Jason, Erin, and Paige Straughan, and one great grandson—Jackson Straughan. Her service was held on March 24, 2007, at St. Matthews By-The-Sea in Fenwick Island, the church she attended while living. They also respected her with full military honors at her service.
References
- ^ a b c "Obituaries: Jane StraughanPilot, WWII Veteran". The Washington Post. March 29, 2007.
- ^ a b "Jane Sincell Straughan: an oral history / interviewed by Nancy Durr". Texas Woman's University Libraries. October 4, 1996. Retrieved November 22, 2013.