A Pioneer Among Women Pilots
Marie Mountain Clark holds a special place in the history of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) as one of the first female pilots inducted into the elite Caterpillar Club – a fraternity of pilots who have saved their lives by parachuting from disabled aircraft.
Hailing from West Liberty, Iowa, Marie's journey into the skies began while studying music at Drake University in 1939. Unbeknownst to her, participating in the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP) would lead her to teach navigation and meteorology in military training courses at Dowling College, setting the stage for her future with the WASP.
A Close Call and the Caterpillar Club
Before joining WASP in August 1943, Marie Mountain had already logged an impressive 76 hours of flight time, but it was an accident during a spin demonstration in a Fairchild PT-19 that marked a pivotal moment in her career.
As her seat belt became unfastened, Marie was ejected from the cockpit, only surviving thanks to her parachute – a harrowing experience that granted her membership in the Caterpillar Club. Stories like Marie's highlight the danger and tenacity of early female pilots.
Serving in the Skies
After graduating from WASP training in February 1944, Marie devoted herself to serving as a pilot with the US Army Air Force at the Las Vegas Air Force Base.
Accumulating around 1,000 hours in military aircraft, she flew a variety of planes, from training aircraft like the PT-19 and AT-6 to fighter aircraft such as the P-39 and P-63. Her duties were diverse and challenging, including giving instrument flying instruction to male pilots and flying mock attacks on the B-17 "Flying Fortress."
Life After War
Post-WWII, Marie continued her passion for aviation by working for the Des Moines Flying Service. It was also during this peacetime that she found love, marrying John Alden Clark, a former WWII bomber pilot, in 1945.
The couple set down roots in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where they spent 63 years together and raised a family.
Memoirs of a WASP
Marie Mountain Clark's story would be incomplete without acknowledging her autobiographical work, "Dear Mother and Daddy: World War II Letters Home from a WASP," published in 2005. Through her written words, she offered a personal glimpse into the life of a female pilot during the war, preserving a piece of history for future generations.
A Legacy Remembered
Marie's passing on October 2, 2008, brought a great life to a close.
Laid to rest at the age of 93 at Resthaven Cemetery in Des Moines, Iowa, her legacy is one of breaking barriers and rising to the challenges of her time. Her story serves as an inspiration and a reminder to honor and celebrate the contributions of women in the military, lest we forget.
In the spirit of reflection, Marie Mountain Clark's journey challenges us - What are the barriers we face today, and how can we, like Marie, overcome them and pave the way for future generations?
