By Catawba College in South Carolina recently recognized alumna Eleanor Thompson Wortz of Los Altos with a Distinguished Alumni Award for her outstanding service during World War II as a member of the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS).

Wortz, who was honored last month, was active in college activities. In her junior year she was listed in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. She was the only woman among a group of 10 who took part in the first Civilian Pilot Training Program at Catawba College and received her private pilot’s license in January 1941. The war broke out during her senior year.

After graduation, Wortz was working for the Civil Aeronautics Administration in Washington, D.C., when she was invited to join the WAFS. The women had to complete the same training as Air Force cadets. Eleanor was assigned to the Fifth Ferry Group in Dallas, Texas, and ferried many different aircraft all over the United States. The last six months of her 22 months in the Air Corps was as an Engineering Test Pilot on the AT-11 at Victorsville.

The name WAFS was eventually changed to WASPS, Women Airforce Service Pilots. Congress belatedly gave the WASPS recognition in 1969. Although all the benefits had expired, the members of the WASPS were delighted to be finally recognized for their contribution to the war effort.