WASP Bernice ‘Bee’ Haydu dies
Bernice “Bee” Falk Haydu, 100, died January 30. Haydu was a member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots, the women’s cadre of pilots who served during World War II. Her death was announced February 1 on the National WASP WWII Museum Facebook page.
“Bee, who earned her nickname because she flew like a bumblebee, was an inspiration to all in the aviation community. She touched our lives and we are grateful for all the memories,” the museum said. The cause of death was not given.
Haydu had celebrated her 100th birthday in December. She received cards and good wishes from pilots all around the United States. In July, members of the International Organization of Women Pilots (The Ninety-Nines) arranged a celebratory flyover of her residence in Palm City, Florida. At that point Haydu was at an assisted living facility, and the flyover was an opportunity to pay homage to an aviation legend during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Born December 15, 1920, in Montclair, New Jersey, Haydu volunteered to join the WASP program in 1944. She trained for seven months at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas, where she logged 210 hours in aircraft including the Boeing PT–17 Stearman, Vultee BT–13 Valiant, North American AT–6 Texan, and the Cessna AT–17 Bobcat. She graduated in September 1944 from WASP Class 44-W-7, and she served at Pecos Army Airfield as an engineering test pilot and a utility pilot, according to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
After the WASP program was canceled in December 1944, Haydu remained actively involved in aviation. She ferried aircraft, was a flight instructor, flew a comedy airshow act, and owned a Cessna dealership. She and husband Joe Haydu, also a pilot, owned several airplanes, including a Stearman and a Link trainer.
Haydu served as the president of the WASP organization from 1975 to 1978, during which she was instrumental in getting the WASP recognized as veterans of World War II. In 2010, Congress awarded the organization the Congressional Gold Medal.
Haydu’s 2003 memoir, Letters Home 1944-45, detailed her military service as well as her ongoing efforts to get recognition for the WASP. In 2013, she was inducted into Women in Aviation International’s Pioneer Hall of Fame.
Haydu was a frequent presence at Sun ‘n Fun and EAA AirVenture, among other venues, and a much sought-after public speaker on the WASP and World War II.
No plans for a memorial service have been announced.
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