BOURNE – A woman who died at Otis Air-force base in 1944 will be honored later this month during the annual Memorial Day observance at the base.
Frances Fortune Grimes was a member of the Women Air-force Service Pilot program. Wasp aviators were U.S federal civil service employees attached to the U.S Army Air force during World War ll but were not recognized as veterans at the time.
Shortly after takeoff, her aircraft experienced a stall and began to spin crashing to the ground.
in 1977 President Carter signed legislation providing veteran status for wasps and on July 1st President Obama WASPS were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
Grimes was 32 at the time of her death.
The ceremony takes place May 23rd at 2:30 p.m.
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