Wings of Gold: The Story of the First Women Naval Aviators

by Beverly Weintraub

On Feb. 2, 2019, the skies over Maynardville, Tennessee, filled with the roar of four F/A-18F Super Hornets streaking overhead in close formation. In each aircraft were two young female flyers, executing the first all-woman Missing Man Formation flyover in Navy history in memory of Captain Rosemary Mariner — groundbreaking Navy jet pilot, inspiring commander, determined and dedicated leader — whose drive to ensure the United States military had its choice of the best America had to offer, both men and women, broke down barriers and opened doors for female aviators wanting to serve their country. Selected for Navy flight training as an experiment in 1972, Mariner and her five fellow graduates from the inaugural group of female Naval Aviators racked up an impressive roster of achievements, and first woman to fly a tactical jet aircraft; first woman to command an aviation squadron; first female Hurricane Hunter; first pregnant Navy pilot; plaintiff in a federal lawsuit that overturned limits on women's ability to fulfill their military duty. Leading by example, and by confrontation when necessary, they challenged deep skepticism within the fleet and blazed a trail for female aviators wanting to serve their country equally with their male counterparts. This is the story of their struggles and triumphs as they earned their Wings of Gold, learned to fly increasingly sophisticated jet fighters and helicopters, mastered aircraft carrier landings, served at sea and reached heights of command that would have been unthinkable less than a generation before. And it is the story of the legacy they left behind, one for which the women performing the Navy’s first Missing Woman Flyover in Mariner’s memory owe a debt of gratitude.

Genres: History, Aviation, Nonfiction, Biography

304 pages, Hardcover

Published December 15, 2021

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Women have been flying for the military for a long time, but it took several generations of them to achieve the true status of military aviator. This book beautifully tells the story of the small group of women who took their cues from the early female pioneers, and flew their planes right through the naval glass ceiling. These are fiercely smart and dedicated woman, easy to admire and root for as they wade through barrier after barrier to open more opportunities for themselves, and for the ones who came, and are coming, next.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wings of Gold: The Story of the First Women Naval Aviators was an interesting and thought provoking look back at what a handful of women had to endure to break through the glass ceiling for women like myself to serve in the Navy today. These women didn’t set out to be trailblazers, they just wanted to serve their country and fly like men could. To do so, they not only had to challenge deep-rooted prejudices and gender biases, but they had to challenge federal law as well. And this was only a generation ago.

For some, parts of this book may seem a bit dull, reading through the naval messages and instructions, but these messages and instructions give details into the way the DoD and the Navy was run and the minefield these women had to maneuver through just to do their job.

I personally want to thank the author for this book, and the reminder of what my generation owes to these women.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book on the recent history of women aviators in the the military. Seen in recent history, but not exactly a full picture drawn, this book tells us about the strong, wonderful women that broke boundaries and made history on their wake. These are the women who flew for the Navy in modern fighter jets that quietly broke barriers in the military. If you are interested in women in the military, then you should definitely read this book!

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, well-written story - that pulls the reader in and keeps them in - of the first female naval aviators. This was before the Naval Academy admitted women but the story includes the Academy's first graduates and the trials they had to endure in a mostly, hostile male world. The book begins with the 2019 flyover of 4 F/A-18F Navy jets at the funeral of CAPT. Rosemary Mariner, one of the first 6 naval aviators. The four jets were all female, including the ground crew. They paid tribute to a woman who paved the way for the F/A-18F pilots to achieve - if they chose - the ultimate rank of full Admiral. This was something Mariner and her fellow first women aviators left as a legacy for those coming behind. As she said: We kicked open the door so those coming behind us could enter. Those female pilots (in 1972) had guts and determination but, initially, couldn't make carrier landings - couldn't hold positions that might lead to combat - couldn't make headway against the entrenched, narrow-minded, males that believed women didn't have the courage, skill, and fortitude for combat; that those women - really - should stay at home, barefoot and pregnant. The book is at once intriguing as the initial six female aviator's lives in the military are told; and frustrating to read the walls they banged against constantly. But women behind them succeeded in breaking down the walls, allowing the 2019 flyover - a tribute to CAPT Mariner and her 5 female compatriots who fought the system. A top read!!!

[Chad Manske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rosemary Mariner is an inspiration to us all! Why? Because she represented the very essence of what the American dream is defined. In 1973 she was among the first 6 naval aviators to win hard-fought aviator wings of gold, not to put herself above others but to exemplify that women could be just as capable as men. The modern day naval experiment began in 1973, while a path had been previously blazed by WAIFs and WASPs before. Experiencing denigrating harassment, discrimination and assault, these women do not fight for exceptional standards, but to be treated with human equity—character traits already espoused by the Navy. They found a timely patron in the form of a precocious fast burner, ADM Elmo Zumwalt, who well understood the force-multiplying impact capable women aviators brought to the Navy. And yet, the road was never ever easy. Fighting through discrimination, sexual assault (and abuse), resilient and competent aviators would legally and successfully challenge and win the right for parity with their male counterparts and achieve the opportunity to compete on a level playing field—not for reduced standards as many might think. The road was never easy, as Pulitzer-prize winning author Beverly Weintraub conveys, yet it was worth the struggle to break glass ceilings and open up the aperture for ALL to compete on a level playing field.

[Kenneth Flusche · Rating 4 out of 5]

a 4 star because it reads like a college textbook bullet points and repetition to push them home. Felt that it would follow through with a TEST. Brought back memories of 1973 and one of the 1st coed Barracks in the NAVY. One wing out of 4 was converted for women while the new women's barracks was being built. Men's complaint no. one we are going from 2 man rooms to 4 man rooms. 80 men having to share a bathroom. 3 months later as more women showed up the men were back to 2 man and the women were up to 4. Men's fire doors were always unlocked so we could sneak in the back way. There fire door was locked to the outside at 10 pm, forcing them to enter only through the Quarterdeck. The Common area with the drink machines and nice color TV off limits to females after ten pm. The worst part was the school. MF this, RCH that, no women in my class just 2 Iraqis, 1 Iranian, and a Turk. The book said 1/4 turn or 1/8 turn but Chief said RCH for both. When questioned he said it's the new syllabus for when the girls arrive. In 2020 I toured USS Cole and my guide was a Female GM, Thank Goodness for Change in my Lifetime.

[CASPER HILEMAN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beverly Weintraub tells the tale of the integration of Women into military squadrons during the 1980s and 1990s. Like all pioneers, they faced seemingly unfair obstacles and entrenched opposition. to the new paradigm. The women in this book all were willing to sacrifice equally with their male counterparts up to and including their very lives all while navigating different social and cultural minefields present. In many cases, the most difficult situations were not within the world of the military but outside. No greater example of this is the double standard created externally by social and political pressure and accepted by the United States Navy Training Command was of Lt. Kara Hultgren who due to rushed training and political pressure was killed in 1994 due to pilot error caused by outside influences.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

When my family and I were in the USNA store in Annapolis, my dad passed by the books section and went - "Hey! That was my CO [Commanding Officer]!" When he said that, I just needed to read this book. He talks so little about his military career, just because it's so hard to bring it up due to his rate that it makes it hard to share his experiences.

This book was a great way to start off Women's History Month. It pertains great information about the significant the wave of change for women in the military have come within the last 50-100 years, specifically women aviators and their advances to combat zones. I was left in awe of how difficult it was to maneuver the military in a male-dominated field, things that wouldn't even make you think twice about today (ie: gender specific bathrooms and clothing on base). The book does discuss Military Sexual Trauma (MST) briefly, however it does not go into grotesque detail - it moreso discusses harrassment.

Overall, if you are genuinely curious to see how far women in the military have come, this is a genuine good read!

[Michael Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book to read during Women's History Month! Tells the inspiring story of the first female naval aviators, weaving their stories together in a fascinating way. Beverly Weintraub links the stories together so we'll that I surprised at the end to learn that the women never served together after training.

[Danssull · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book on the history of the first women in Naval aviators with additional background on the early women pioneers, including the WASP of World War II. This book is well worth the read for anyone interested in the subject or having been in naval aviation. It is shocking to read the associated dates with some of the stories of bigotry overcome by these amazing servicemembers.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like books about women in aviation, you'll like this book. If you're looking for a super entertaining read, or you're a little outside the aviation community, I don't know if this book is for you.

[Autumn Kearney · Rating 3 out of 5]

While looking for a book to read for women’s history month, I came across this one at my local library. It certainly fit the bill.

I liked it, but aviation history isn’t my cup of tea. I know that there are many people out there who will love this book. I’m not really one of those people.

[Lacee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for female pilots.

[Larissa Linn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very eye opening book!

[Mercedes · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s so inspiring what these women accomplished. I think everyone would enjoy this book.