Did WASP's have ranks?

[Siamundo]

I hope this does not sound like a silly question, but did WASP's have ranks? Like enlisted and officer? Thanks

[Bob Hudson]

The WASP's were not considered military personnel and had no rank.

[Siamundo]

Thank you for your reply. That is kind of what I thought but was not entirely positive. The reason I ask is that I found a two piece woman's uniform in a local antique mall that I thought might be a WASP uniform. I have not bought the uniform at this point because I am trying to determine if it might be WASP or early 1950s US Air Force. Unfortunately the insignia has all been removed. It consists of an IKE type jacket and slacks. The uniform is a private purchase item from a tailor in San ASntonio, TX. It is a slate blue color and the jacket is slightly different from the WASP jackets I have seen pictured before in that is does not have exterior chest pockets (just fake slits which do not open). It also has a hidden zipper front. The pants do zip up the wearer's side though. Labels in each are named to a female Lt.

[fortworthgal]

Yes, that would be a 1950s USAF female uniform. The WASP uniform blue was more of a darker, royal blue - very similar in color the USAF uniforms of the 1970s & 80s.

 

The only other possibility is that it could be a WWII Army flight nurse uniform. I doubt it is, considering the pockets you described, but without seeing a photo it is tough to tell, so it could be a possibility. The color is along the same lines as the 1950s USAF stuff, bluish gray. Flight Nurses were trained at Randolph Field in San Antonio, so it would almost make sense. If it does turn out to be that uniform, it would be quite rare and valuable.

 

Here are some photos of that uniform for comparison:

http://www.blitzkriegbaby.de/anc/anc3fu.htm

 

As someone else already stated, WASP were not part of the military - they were a civilian auxiliary, and thus did not have rank. They were considered to have "relative rank" of an officer, for the purpose of military courtesies.

[KaosDad]

Insert really bad joke about "Wasps", "Stripes" and "watch out for the stinger when you check them out".

 

Sorry - someone had to do it.

[Siamundo]

Hello fortworthgal. Thank you for the information and link to the flight nurse uniform. I went back and looked at the uniform again today and it is slightly different than that shown on the link. The pants zip up the left side, have no belt loops, and have a single pocket on the right side. The jacket has adjustable buttons on the sides of the waistband and wrap around button closure on the bottom front of the jacket (unlike the buckle end shown in the website photos). Although there was something definitely pinned above the left faux chest pocket, I simply cannot tell tell if it was a ribbon bar or wings. Inside the back bottom edge of the jacket is an strip with three button holes, much like older vintage flight jackets or British uniforms, that could attach to the waistband of the pants to keep everything "neat and together". It is not terribly expensive, but if it is not that uncommon I might leave it for someone else

[fortworthgal]

Would it be possible to take some photos?