In aviation history, Betty Guild Blake was a trailblazer. She was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on October 20, 1920. At age 15, she took her first airplane flight, marking the beginning of her voyage into the skies. Betty’s love of aviation deepened, inspiring her to enroll in the University of Hawaii’s Civilian Pilot Training Program and obtain her pilot’s license.
The events of December 7, 1941, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, marked a turning point in Betty’s life. Betty had been taking tourists around the gorgeous Hawaiian island of Oahu before the incident. However, she shifted her efforts after the attack and began working as a civil servant for the Department of the Navy.
Betty started a new chapter in her life when she got married the Naval Officer Robert Tackaberry in February 1942. She enlisted in the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) and reported to Houston, Texas, for pilot training not long after. On April 24, 1943, Betty graduated from WASP pilot training Class 43-W-1 thanks to her skill and perseverance.
After graduating, Betty worked at Long Beach, California, for the Ferrying Command, ferrying a variety of aircraft, such as the well-known P-51 Mustang, P-38 Lightning, and P-47 Thunderbolt. She developed the art of managing a large fleet of aircraft, transporting them from manufacturers to locations where they could be used for military purposes.
There were difficulties in Betty’s personal life during World War II. Following her turbulent divorce from Robert Tackaberry in 1945, she fell in love once more and eventually wed George Blake, an officer in the United States Air Force.
It took a long time for Betty and the other WASP pilots’ accomplishments to be properly acknowledged. The WASPs were recognized for their crucial contribution to the war effort in 1977 when they were awarded official Military Veteran status. On July 1, 2009, they were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for their service.
Despite the passage of time, Betty Guild Blake’s passion for aviation persisted. She vividly remembered her childhood meetings with aviation legend Amelia Earhart, which inspired her passion for flight. Betty’s favorite aircraft remained the P-51 Mustang even in her older years, demonstrating her lifelong fascination with the sky.
Betty Guild Blake’s legacy as a pioneer pilot and Pearl Harbor survivor continues to inspire current generations of aviators and fans alike. Her bravery, dedication and persistent commitment to flight serve as a beacon of encouragement for those who dare to reach for the skies.
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‘We The Kids Inc.’
