Lillian Lorraine Yonally, 43-7

I was born on May 5, 1922, in Lynn, Massachusetts.

I became interested in flying from my flight over the Ameri can Cup Races off Newport, Rhode Island, viewing the Rainbow and Endeavor. Shortly thereafter I flew to New York City from Roch ester, Maine, same small four-seater and pilot and was allowed to “co-pilot.” I began taking lessons, same pilot, in a small cow pasture J-3 Cub in 1940. I got my private pilot license, on September 7, 1941. I became an air traffic control tower operator April 26, 1943, at Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation.

I entered the WASP in class 43-7 and I was stationed at AAF B-25 transition training school, Mather Field, Sacramento, California, January 19, 1944, twin engine instrument quali fied. January 19, 1944, I was sent to 4th Air Force, 7th Tow Target Squadron, March Field, California. I flew training PT-19, BT-15, AT-6 andAT-17. Transition B-25. I also flew AT- 1 1, AT 7, RA-33, RB-27, UC-78, RA-24 A & B, RA-25, BT-13, TB-26, AT-23A and UC-45F. I went to Tactical Center, Orlando, Florida, AAFSAT, August, 1944 for special training, then to Hamilton Field, California.

After deactivation, I worked at Sperry Gyroscope Co., Mineola, New York, in engineering and later as secretary to Director of Aeronautical Engineering there. I bought a small single ­engine with radio with three engineers, allowing trips to Massachusetts every fourth weekend. I lived at Roosevelt Field Inn.
Later I married James Marvin Yonally, who had been based at Camp Haan, California, in coast artillery anti-aircraft. (He was in charge of the battery that fired at the sleeve I was towing at Camp Irwin in the Mohave Desert.) We had six children, and I have 12 grandchildren.

I’ve worked for two lawyers, and for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor for 22 years as a data collector for the CPI, part-time, retired January 3, 1998. After my hus band died in 1978, I operated our liquor store until 1989.

I’ve given talks and shown colored slides I took and some of those are on file at the air base in Dayton, Ohio. I went to Israel in 1982, have been to England and France.

My family ranges from near Phoenix to both Carolinas, In diana and New York, and I enjoy visits in all directions, includ ing a yearly stay at Pico Beach in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, where I grew up. I have been to several reunions and to Oshkosh

4 responses so far

4 Responses to “Lillian Lorraine Yonally, 43-7”

  1. James Albert Yonallyon 14 Apr 2009 at 4:28 am

    I am proud to carry my last name.

    Thank you

  2. Lynn Yonallyon 06 Jul 2009 at 6:41 pm

    Lillian’s middle name is spelled incorrectly:
    It should be:
    LORRAINE

    If this could be corrected that would be great. Thanks!

  3. Lynn Yonallyon 06 Jul 2009 at 10:40 pm

    Thanks so much for the correction. Mom appreciates it!
    She has some of the only colored slides of the her service time and has made many presentations with them. They are also on the wingsacrossamerica site and youtube if you wish to view them.
    She and I along with BJ started the “Yankee Doodle Gals’ book project to place this book in middle schools and public libraries. We have placed over 2500 books around the country so far.

  4. Julia Reynolds Nowlinon 09 Aug 2009 at 6:35 pm

    To Lynn Yonally,

    What a great undertaking you ladies are doing. How do I obtain a copy of “Yankee Doodle Gals”? My Mother, Constance Young was in Class 43-7

    Julia R. Nowlin

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