diggummup Posted January 3, 2015 Share #1 Posted January 3, 2015 I attended an estate sale several years ago and it turned out to be the estate of the pioneering lady pilot Teresa James, a WAF, W.A.S.P. and an original member of the Ninety-Nines. One of the mant items I purchased was this book by Bob Hope "They Got Me Covered". It is in pretty rough condition but it is signed twice by Bob Himself. I like the way he refers to her as "Jesse James" with a little inscription that says "read this when you're flying blind, it's funny that way". Anyway I just wanted to share this little piece of history with you. Here is some more information on her. http://waspfinalflight.blogspot.com/2008/07/teresa-james-waf.html PS- It mentions her husband George "Dink" Martin, I also have a cardboard die cut standing photo (approx. 1 foot tall) of him that belonged to her also. It's probably one of the only photos of him that exist. When I find it, I'll post it also. Anyway, thanks for letting me share and reminding us all of the service she gave for her country in a time when women weren't respected as much as they are today. Godspeed Teresa James, they don't make them like you anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebuddy Posted January 3, 2015 Share #2 Posted January 3, 2015 Whoaaa !! i like that !!! very nice indeed ! LB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutiger83 Posted January 4, 2015 Share #3 Posted January 4, 2015 Very nice! I love WASP items and this is certainly unique! ...Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diggummup Posted January 6, 2015 Author Share #4 Posted January 6, 2015 I did a little more research after posting this and found out when Bob Hope probably signed this book. Read this little excerpt that I found on page 7 here- http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:UIPrcH42T64J:www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-070323-027.pdf+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us Perhaps the most unique mission James flew was to ferry a Fairchild PT-19 to California for use in a movie. On Feb. 17, 1943, she picked up the newplane from the Fairchild factory in Hagerstown,Maryland, and delivered it to the famous aviator Paul Mantz in Hollywood for use in “Ladies Courageous,”a not very accurate movie loosely based on the WAFS program. After delivering the plane on Feb. 22, she became somewhat of a celebrity — she had dinner with Bob Hope and met quite a few movie stars. PS- Now all I have to do is figure out the other signatures on there, lol. Though a couple look like old phone numbers almost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge8 Posted January 7, 2015 Share #5 Posted January 7, 2015 The "GLadstone 2617" looks like a telephone number from that time period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogfacedsoldier Posted February 2, 2015 Share #6 Posted February 2, 2015 Her husband is buried at Jefferson Barracks Nat. Cem. along with the rest of the crew of the B-17. In a two volume book set written by a fellow WASP ( Schaar?) from St. Louis, James asks her to drive her to JB. to see the grave. The main title of the books escapes me, but the 1st vol is called The WAFS, The second The WASPS. A good many of WWII's AAF crashed aircrews from both the ETO and PTO are buried at JB. Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogfacedsoldier Posted February 2, 2015 Share #7 Posted February 2, 2015 I also had a teacher at Tech school in HS, she was a WASP Rose Penn (Penny) Reece Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diggummup Posted February 25, 2015 Author Share #8 Posted February 25, 2015 Her husband is buried at Jefferson Barracks Nat. Cem. along with the rest of the crew of the B-17. In a two volume book set written by a fellow WASP ( Schaar?) from St. Louis, James asks her to drive her to JB. to see the grave. The main title of the books escapes me, but the 1st vol is called The WAFS, The second The WASPS. A good many of WWII's AAF crashed aircrews from both the ETO and PTO are buried at JB. Jon There is a memorial dedication plaque in Joinville Le Pont, France for the 9 American pilots that died there on June 22, 1944, Dink being one of them. I will find the photo stand up I have of him and post it here when I do. It's in storage, I just have to locate the correct box it's in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diggummup Posted March 27, 2017 Author Share #9 Posted March 27, 2017 Only took me a little more than 2 years to find the photo of Dink, lol. I found a luggage tag that belonged to Teresa as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VenitHora Posted April 18, 2017 Share #10 Posted April 18, 2017 Very cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phantomfixer Posted April 20, 2017 Share #11 Posted April 20, 2017 Just to piggy back on Teresa James...the Pencader Area Historical Association, a small local museum, has her A-2 flight jacket and Type C RAF flight helmet on display... Teresa's affiliation is with the New Castle AAF during WWII... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fifinella Posted January 26, 2019 Share #12 Posted January 26, 2019 Hi! Hoping diggummup is still following this forum. I am a historian studying Teresa James - and I knew her well until the last year or two of her life. I am very curious what you may have found at her estate sale - especially any more pictures of Dink or of Teresa with Dink. Thanks so much for posting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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