Jacqueline Cochran

Jacqueline Cochran (born Bessie Lee Pittman on May 11, 1906, died August 7, 1980), was a pioneer American aviatrix. Image File history File linksMetadata 040130-F-0000G-007. ... Image File history File linksMetadata 040130-F-0000G-007. ... May 11 is the 131st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (132nd in leap years). ... 1906 (MCMVI) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... -1... 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday. ... Aviators are people who fly aircraft either for pleasure or for a job. ...

Early life

Bessie Lee Pittman was born in Mobile, Alabama, the youngest of the five children of Mary (Grant) and Ira Pittman, a poor mill worker who moved from town to town in search of work. As a child, Bessie possessed an unusual amount of drive and ambition and at age 15 left her home in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, working as a hairdresser until she wound up in New York City. There, she used her looks and driving personality to obtain a job at a prestigious salon in Saks Fifth Avenue department store. Motto: Nickname: The Azalea City Map Location in Alabama Political Statistics Founded 1702 Incorporated 1814 County Mobile County Borough {{{borough}}} Parrish {{{parrish}}} Mayor Sam Jones Geographic Statistics Area  - Total  - Water 412. ... De Funiak Springs is a city located in Walton County, Florida. ... Nickname: The Big Apple Motto: Official website: City of New York Location Location in the state of New York Government Counties (Boroughs) Bronx (The Bronx) New York (Manhattan) Queens (Queens) Kings (Brooklyn) Richmond (Staten Island) Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) Geographical characteristics Area Total 468. ... A Saks Fifth Avenue store in Phipps Plaza, Atlanta. ...

The impoverished Bessie Pittman became the beautiful and talented Jacqueline Cochran who met Floyd Bostwick Odlum, the middle-aged founder of Atlas Corp. and CEO of RKO in Hollywood. Widely reputed to be one of the 10 richest men in the world, Floyd Odlum quickly became enamored and offered to help her establish a cosmetics business. Despite her lack of education, Ms. Cochran had a quick mind and an affinity for business and the investment proved a lucrative one. Later, in 1951, she would be voted one of the 25 outstanding businesswomen in America by the Boston Chamber of Commerce and in 1953 and 1954 the Associated Press named her "Woman of the Year in Business." RKO could stand for: RKO Pictures The R.K.O. - finishing manoever (and initials) of WWE professional wrestler Randy Orton. ... ... 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ... Associated Press logo This article concerns the news service. ...

After a friend offered her a ride in an airplane, a thrilled Jacqueline Cochran began taking flying lessons at Roosevelt Airfield on Long Island. A natural, she was quickly flying solo and within two years obtained her commercial pilot's license. Her companion, Floyd Odlum, whom she married in 1936 after his divorce, was an astute financier and savvy marketer who recognized the value of publicity for her business. Calling her line of cosmetics "Wings," she flew her own airplane around the country promoting her products. Years later, her husband used his Hollywood connections to get Marilyn Monroe to endorse her line of lipstick. Roosevelt Airfield was an airfield in Garden City, Nassau County, New York. ... The four counties of Long Island. ... Marilyn Monroe Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jeane Mortenson, June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962) is arguably the twentieth-centurys most famous movie star, sex symbol and pop icon. ...

Contributions to aviation

Known by her friends as "Jackie," and maintaining the Cochran name, she began competing in both American and international air races, at first being denied entry at home in the Bendix Los Angeles to Cleveland race because officials restricted entrants to men only. Cochran pressed the issue until officials relented and allowed her and fellow aviatrix Amelia Earhart to participate. Cochran would go on to win the event. With her growing fame, and association with the wealthy elite, she was frequently interviewed by the press and she made up a story about being adopted to avoid dealing with the reality of her estranged and impoverished family. The Bendix Trophy is an aeronautical racing trophy. ... Nickname: City of Angels Motto: Official website: http://www. ... Nickname: The Forest City Motto: Progress and Prosperity Official website: http://www. ... Amelia Earhart Amelia Mary Earhart (24 July 1897 – missing from 2 July 1937), daughter of Edwin and Amy Earhart, was an American aviator and noted early female pilot who mysteriously disappeared over the Pacific Ocean during a circumnavigational flight in 1937. ...

In 1939, she set a new altitude and international speed record, receiving the Clifford Burke Harmon Trophy as the outstanding woman flier in the world five times. Before the U.S. joined World War II, she was part of "Wings for Britain" that delivered American built aircraft to Britain and she became the first woman to fly a bomber across the Atlantic. In Britain, she volunteered her services to the Royal Air Force. For several months she worked for the British Air Transport Auxiliary, recruiting qualified women pilots in the United States and taking them to England where they joined the Air Transport Auxiliary. Following America's entry into the War, in 1942 she was made director of women's flight training for the United States. As head of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) she supervised the training of more than a thousand women pilots. For her war efforts, she received the Distinguished Service Medal. In 1926 Clifford B. Harmon, a wealthy sportsman and aviator, established the Harmon Trophy, a set of three international trophies to be awarded annually to the worlds outstanding aviator, aviatrix, and aeronaut (balloon or dirigible). ... Combatants Allied Powers Axis Powers Commanders {{{commander1}}} {{{commander2}}} Strength {{{strength1}}} {{{strength2}}} Casualties 17 million military deaths 7 million military deaths {{{notes}}} World War II, also known as the Second World War (sometimes WW2 or WWII or World War Two), was a mid-20th century conflict that engulfed much of the... The Royal Air Force (often abbreviated to RAF) is the air force branch of the British Armed Forces. ... The Women Airforce Service Pilots, also known as WASP, were a group of civilian female pilots employed to fly military aircraft under the direction of the United States Army Air Force during World War II. // Creation of the WASP Pilots Jackie Cochran and Nancy Harkness Love independently submitted proposals for... This article concerns Distinguished Service Medals which are issued by the United States of America. ...

At war's end, she was hired by a magazine to report on global post-war events. In this role, she witnessed Japanese General Tomoyuki Yamashita's surrender in the Philippines, then was the first woman to enter Japan after the War and attended the Nuremberg Trials in Germany. Following the end of the War, she pursued flying the new jet engine aircraft going on to set numerous records. She still holds more distance and speed records than any pilot living or dead, male or female. In 1948 Cochran joined the U.S. Air Force Reserve where she eventually rose to the rank of Colonel. Tomoyuki Yamashita General Tomoyuki Yamashita (山下 奉文 Yamashita Tomoyuki) (November 8, 1885 – February 23, 1946) was a general of the Japanese Army during the WWII era. ... The Nuremberg Trials is the name for two sets of trials of Nazis involved in World War II and the Holocaust. ... A Pratt and Whitney turbofan engine for the F-15 Eagle is tested at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, USA. The tunnel behind the engine muffles noise and allows exhaust to escape. ...

From numerous countries around the world, she was given citations and decorations. In 1949, the government of France recognized her contribution to the war and aviation, awarding her the Legion of Honor and again in 1951 with the French Air Medal. She is the only woman to ever receive the Gold Medal from the Federation Aeronautique Internationale. She would go on to be elected to that body's board of directors and director of Northwest Airlines in the U.S. At home, the Air Force awarded her the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Legion of Merit. 1949 (MCMXLIX) is a common year starting on Saturday. ... French Legion of Honor The Légion dhonneur (in Legion of Honor (AmE) or Legion of Honour (ComE)) is an Order of Chivalry awarded by the President of France. ... 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ... The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) is a standard setting and record-keeping body for aeronautics and astronautics. ... Northwest Airlines (IATA: NW, ICAO: NWA, and Callsign: Northwest) is an airline headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota, with three major hubs in the United States: Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, and Memphis International Airport. ... The Distinguished Flying Cross. ... The Legion of Merit is an awesome award which only the bravest of Americans will ever win. ...

Encouraged by her pilot friend, Chuck Yeager, on May 18, 1953, at Rogers Dry Lake, California, Cochran flew a Canadair F-86 Sabre jet borrowed from the Royal Canadian Air Force at an average speed of 652.337 mph, becoming the first woman to break the sound barrier. She was also the first woman to land and take off from an aircraft carrier. General Yeager Brigadier General Charles Elwood Chuck Yeager (born February 13, 1923 in Myra, Lincoln County, West Virginia) is a World War II ace and test pilot, considered a living legend of aviation. ... May 18 is the 138th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (139th in leap years). ... 1953 (MCMLIII) is a common year starting on Thursday. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 3rd 410,000 km² 402. ... // Canadair F-86 Sabre - History In 1948 the Canadian government decided to re-equip the RCAF with the F-86 Sabre fighter. ... The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) was the air force of Canada from 1924 until 1968 when the three branches of the Canadian military were merged into the Canadian Armed Forces. ... U.S. Navy F/A-18 at transonic speed. ... An aircraft carrier is a warship whose main role is to deploy and recover aircraft—in effect acting as a sea-going airbase. ...

Political activities

Politically ambitious, she ran for Congress in her California home district as the candidate for the Republican Party. Although she defeated a field of five male opponents to win the Republican nomination, in the general election she lost to the Democratic candidate. Her political setback was one of the few failures she ever experienced and never attempted another run. It has been said by those who knew Jacqueline Cochran that the loss bothered her for the rest of her life. However, as a result of her involvement in politics and the military, she would become close friends with General Dwight Eisenhower. In the early part of 1952, she and her husband helped sponsor a large rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City in support of an Eisenhower presidential candidacy. The rally was documented on film and Cochran personally flew it to France for a special showing at Eisenhower's headquarters. Her efforts proved a major factor in convincing Eisenhower to run for President of the United States in 1952 and she would play a major role in his successful campaign. Close friends thereafter, Eisenhower frequently visited her and her husband at their California ranch and after leaving office, wrote portions of his memoirs there. The Republican Party, often called the GOP (for Grand Old Party, although one early citation described it as the Gallant Old Party) [1], is one of the two major political parties in the United States. ... The Democratic Party is one of the two major political parties in the United States. ... Dwight David Ike Eisenhower (October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969) was an American soldier and politician. ... Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG, has been the name of four arenas in New York City, United States. ... The President of the United States (often abbreviated POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States. ... 1952 (MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Blessed by fame and wealth, she donated a great deal of time and money to charitable works, especially with those from impoverished backgrounds like her own. In 1971 she was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame and became the first woman to be honored with a permanent display of her achievements at the United States Air Force Academy. 1971 (MCMLXXI) is a common year starting on Friday (click for link to calendar). ... The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), located in Colorado Springs, Colorado (, ), is an institution for the undergraduate education of officers in the United States Air Force. ...

Legacy

Jacqueline Cochran died on August 7, 1980 at her home in Indio, California. Cremated, her ashes were scattered at sea. In 1996, the United States Post Office honored her with a postage stamp.-1... 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday. ... Indio, California, is a U.S. city located in the Coachella Valley of Southern Californias desert region. ... 1996 (MCMXCVI) is a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ...

Her aviation accomplishments never gained the continuing media attention given those of Amelia Earhart, but that can in part be attributed to the public's fascination with those who die young at the peak of their careers. Also, Cochran's use of her husband's immense wealth reduced the rags-to-riches nature of her story. Nonetheless, she deserves a place in the ranks of famous women in history as one of the greatest aviators ever, and a woman who frequently used her influence to advance the cause of women in aviation. Amelia Earhart Amelia Mary Earhart (24 July 1897 – missing from 2 July 1937), daughter of Edwin and Amy Earhart, was an American aviator and noted early female pilot who mysteriously disappeared over the Pacific Ocean during a circumnavigational flight in 1937. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...

References

• (2001) : Superwoman Jacqueline Cochran: Family Memories about the Famous Pilot, Patriot, Wife and Businesswoman : by Billy Jean Pittman Ayers (niece) and Beth Dees - forward by Chuck Yeager
• (1999): A WASP Among Eagles by Ann Baumgartner Carl
• (1997) : Jacqueline Cochran America's Fearless Aviator: America's Fearless Aviator - by Nina McGuire and Sandra Wallus Sammons.
• (1987) : Jackie Cochran: An Autobiography, ISBN 055305211X
• (1961): Reminiscences of Jacqueline Cochran - Aviation Project, Oral History Research Office, Columbia University
• (1954 re-issued in 1979): The Stars at Noon - by Jacqueline Cochran

2001: A Space Odyssey. ... General Yeager Brigadier General Charles Elwood Chuck Yeager (born February 13, 1923 in Myra, Lincoln County, West Virginia) is a World War II ace and test pilot, considered a living legend of aviation. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Columbia University is a private university in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. ... 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This page refers to the year 1979. ...

External links

• Find-A-Grave profile for Jackie Cochran