Rosa Charlyne Creger
{{short description|American aviator}}
Rosa Charlene Creger (December 24, 1918 – January 1, 2005) was a WASP pilot during World War II, and became the Chief of the Anesthesia Department at Earl K. Long Hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana after the war.{{Cite web|url=http://www.wingsacrossamerica.us/web/creger.htm|title=Charlyne Creger, WASP|website=wingsacrossamerica.us|access-date=2018-09-27}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Rosa Charlyne Creger
| birth_date = December 24, 1918
| birth_place = Noble, Oklahoma, U.S.
| death_date = January 1, 2005 (aged 86)
| death_place = Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.
| known_for = Member of WASP during WWII
Chief of the Anesthesia Department at Earl K. Long Hospital
}}
Early life
Creger was born on December 24, 1918, to Charles and Rosa Creger, in Noble, Oklahoma. She was the fourth of six children and graduated from high school in Norman, Oklahoma, afterwards she worked as a professional dancer for Catherine Duffy's Productions in Oklahoma City, continuing on to become a professional model for Kickerknick Lingerie with plans to become a designer.{{Cite web|url=https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1164207/|title=[Creger Personal Narrative Draft]|year=1999|access-date=2019-10-16}} Her first flight was with renowned aviator Wiley Post in 1927 when she was eight years old{{Cite web|url=http://www.wingsacrossamerica.us/web/obits/creger.htm|title=Archives: Memorial Service Scheduled for WASP veteran in Louisiana|website=wingsacrossamerica.us|access-date=2018-09-27}} as part of a contest to collect bread wrappers.{{Cite web|url=https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1164427/|title=[Letter from Charlyne Creger to Jeannie, November 16, 1994]|year=1994|access-date=2019-10-16}}
Military service
Creger received her WASP flight training at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas, and graduated in the final WASP class (44-W-10){{Cite web|url=https://www.twu.edu/lib/womans-collection/featured-collections/women-airforce-service-pilots-wasp/wasp-research/class-list/wasp-class-of-1944/wasp-class-44-w-10/|title=WASP Class 44-W-10 - Texas Woman's University|website=twu.edu|access-date=2018-09-27}} in W 10-Flight I{{Cite web|url=https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth894276/m1/68/|title=Avenger Field Yearbook, Class 44-W-7|year=1944|publisher=Avenger Field|location=Sweetwater, Texas|access-date=2019-10-15}} on December 7, 1944. She began her training in class 44-W-8, but was held back due to illness.{{Cite web|url=https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1164432/|title=[Letter from Charlyne Creger, May 20, 1977]|year=1977|access-date=2019-10-16}} Because there were no medical facilities at the training location in Sweetwater, Creger was transferred—along with trainees Mary Shaw and Laura Rutledge—to the hospital at Big Spring Army Air Field, under the care of Dr. Weldon W. Stephen.{{Cite web|url=https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1164233/|title=[Letter from Weldon W. Stephen, July 11, 1977]|year=1977|access-date=2019-10-16}} Creger later used this experience to help in lobbying for militarization of women who served as WASPs{{Cite web|url=https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1169423/|title=[Letter from Charlyne Creger to Jennings Randolph, May 21, 1977]|year=1977|access-date=2019-10-16}}{{Cite web|url=https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1169382/|title=[Letter to Senator Alan Cranston, May 21, 1977] |year=1977|access-date=2019-10-16}} so that they could gain veteran benefits, which was granted on November 23, 1977{{Cite web|url=https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1010361/|title=[Clipping: WASPs Had to Fight for Veteran Recognition]|date=September 27, 1986|publisher=Abilene Reporter-News|location=Abilene, Texas|pages=D5–D6|access-date=2019-10-16}} after a unanimous Senate vote.{{Cite web|url=https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1010413/|title=[Clipping: Senate Votes 91-0 for WASP Status!]|date=October 27, 1977|publisher=Stars and Stripes-The National Tribune|location=Washington D.C.|pages=3|access-date=2019-10-16}}
During World War II she served as a pilot and an engineering test pilot at Waco Army Air Field. Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Steve dePyssler remembered Creger as a pilot for "every type of aircraft there was" and "She flew B-17's, B-24's -- everything." After World War II the WASPs were disbanded and Creger entered nursing school and continued to serve during the Korean War.{{Cite web|url=http://www.wingsacrossamerica.us/web/obits/former_military_pilot_dies_at_86.htm|title=Former military pilot dies at 86|last=Haag|first=Diane|date=January 4, 2005|website=wingsacrossamerica.us|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2018-09-27}}
References
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Category:American women nurses
Category:Aviators from Oklahoma
Category:People from Cleveland County, Oklahoma