Hazel Ying Lee: WASP

Hazel is pictured on the left

The WASPs often faced serious hazards. One of the most perilous tasks for any stateside flier was ferrying what were called "war weary" planes, those that needed repairs or replacement. No one knew if they would stay in working condition on the way to being refurbished. But someone had to fly then. and WASPs often did.

Flying seven days a week in all sorts of weather and at high altitudes could also be dangerous, or, as in Hazel's case, at least hazardous to one's health. On October 14, 1944, she was grounded due to a severe respiratory infection. Chafing with impatience, she wrote a letter to Inez Woodward, a fellow WASP who had also graduated in the 43-W-4 class and who had worked with Hazel at Romulus.

In the letter, Hazel told Inez that she had received an offer from he former employer, the Chinese Commission on Aeronautical Affairs. Hazel wrote that she hoped to recruit ex-WASPs to fly in China. They had to have new plans because by now they had all received word that the WASP program would be disbanded in December.

Although Hazel seemed filled with hope for the future, the war was taking a toll on her. Sometime in 1944, she wrote a letter to her friend Elsie Chang, telling her that "this war is going on too long. I don't know whether I will make it or not."

From "Hazel Ying Lee: American Flygirl from Women Heroes of World War II: 32 Stories of Espionage, Sabotage, Resistance, and Rescue.