Eagle Biography

Violet “Vi” Cowden

Mrs. Violet “Vi” Cowden audaciously served her nation during WWII as one of only 1074 Women Airforce Service Pilots.  She served from March 1943 until the group was disbanded in December 1944.  Piloting nineteen different aircraft, including the P-51, she logged enough air miles to circle the world nearly 55 times.  Her critical efforts supported the war effort by freeing male pilots to continue flying combat missions during the war.  In March, she and the rest of the WASPs were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for their service.