And Still Flying.: The Life and Times of Elizabeth Betty Wall

The fascinating story of one of our nation's "Fly Girls". The Women Airforce Service Pilots of WWII flew every P-47 off the factory line in 1944. They flew 60,000,000 miles of operational flights and 77 different types of military aircraft including the B-29 during the years 1934-1944.

Elizabeth "Betty" Wall was one of these 1,074 W.A.S.P.S. who served their country well during the course of the war. She went on to raise a family of 5 during the 50's and 60's (5 kids in 5 years) and became a statistical researcher with the American Cancer Society.

Elizabeth "Betty" Wall flew an F-16 at age 71 and first piloted at B-17 at age 82! And she is still going strong at 83. This is the story of her life that so far spans nearly a century: from the "Roaring Twenties" and the "Great Depression" through WWII, the 60's and 70's to the present day.

Wall is a member of the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame and received the Immortal Chaplain's Humanitarian Award representing all Women Service Volunteers of WWII. She introduced Mr. Tom Browkow at the celebration dedicating a Veteran's Museum at the Hormel Plant in Austin, Minnesota. She is an energetic octogenarian who finds every day a golden opportunity to enjoy God's gifts.

Immerse yourself in the stories of a remarkable life and learn more about one of the people that we have to thank for the remarkable age we are now living in.

Comments

"...It was great to seek you again recently. You are a remarkable person and a Minnesota treasure! Thanks for your service."

Tim Pawlenty
Governor of Minnesota

"Elizabeth Strohfus is an incredible person. She has had opportunities to do and see things that many of us only dream about. It is amazing to look at the accomplishments she has achieved over a lifetime and it is an honor to know her. Elizabeth is a star that continues to burn bright and is full of more energy than most teenagers. Who else can say they have flown an F-16 at age 71 and a B-17 at age 82?"

Jon Velishek
Historian, Rice County Historical Society, Faribault, Minnesota

Patrick Roberts is the son of Elizabeth Betty Wall. He returned to Minnesota from California for a two week vacation in 1996 and got hooked. Between family home healthcare needs and other worthwhile endeavors, he has been fortunate to have the opportunity to escort his mother on many of her outings and is honoured to chronical her story. Having heard stories from other veterans and their contributions to the war effort, he is currently working on a book about the 455th Service Squadron New Guinea and nose art specialist Frank Seigert.