WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Col. John Devillier, 88th Air Base Wing commander, joined six World War II Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) to speak at Ridgewood School in Springfield, Ohio, during an assembly Oct. 9 to honor the late Caro Bayley Bosco, a WASP member and 1933 alumna of the school.

"We are here to pay tribute to [Bosco], but we are also paying tribute to these women who paved the way for other women in our society and in our military today," Devillier said to more than 100 elementary and middle school students, faculty and guests. "One of my daughters recently took her first flying lesson - so I thank you for what you did for our country and what you continue to do."

More than 1,000 women left homes and jobs to become the first in history to fly for the U.S. military between 1942 and 1944 at the height of WWII, according to the WASP organization's official archive at Texas Woman's University.

These women were civilian volunteers because at the time, women were not deemed able to serve in the military.

The six members of this elite group of female aviators - all in their 90s, all wearing their royal blue WASP aviator scarves -  spoke about Bosco and her determination, but also about the challenges they overcame as female aviators in an all-male military.

Florence "Shutsy" Reynolds, one of the WASP in attendance, explained that not only were women not deemed fit to serve in the military, but they weren't wanted either.

"When I reported to my first commanding colonel, he said to me - 'I didn't ask for you and I don't want you'," Reynolds explained.

But that didn't stop Reynolds from her mission and it didn't stop her fellow WASP either.

"At the time when this process [of training women to fly in military missions] started, a lot of people were naysayers," Devillier explained. "They were like, 'You can't do this; women can't fly.'"

But fly, they did.

"The WASP delivered 12,650 aircraft to frontline units and to training bases around the United States and around the world," said Devillier. "They delivered 78 different types of aircraft from fighters and bombers to training and transport aircraft."

Nadine Nagle, another WASP at the event, explained that she had put herself through college in 1940 by waitressing and then had married. But then in 1943, her husband, a military pilot, was killed in the war.

"I said to myself, 'If he can't fly for our country anymore, I'll fly in his place'," Nagle explained. "I had never even been in an airplane or touched one, but I was determined to take his place."

Nagle's tribute to her late husband not only honored his memory but also became an individual part in a much larger picture.

"We always talk about the importance of team," said Devillier as he stood facing the six WWII veterans. "You didn't get the glory, but we could not have achieved victory without what you did."

And how these women contributed to the team also began to form yet another picture--a picture of possibility for progress in the U.S. military. Could (and should) the U.S. military include women in its ranks?

Most Americans today don't question when a female pilot steps from an aircraft, military or commercial, or when they see a woman in military service dress. But as evidenced from the experiences of the WASP, it hasn't always been this way.

The 1900s brought a lengthy list of firsts for women and their quests for equality.

Those breaking gender barriers in the skies were Blanche Stuart Scott, the first woman to solo a civilian airplane in 1910; Bessie Coleman, the first African American to receive a pilot's license in 1921; Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic ocean; and Dr. Sally Ride, the first U.S. woman in space in 1983, just to name a few.

The WASP were the military portion of these firsts. The final class of these female aviators graduated in 1944 and the WASP organization was dismantled. The women returned home and received nothing for their bravery and contributions.

"It wasn't until 1977 -- over 30 years later -- that the military finally recognized the WASP service," explained Devillier. "

Turning once again to address the six WWII female aviators, Devillier said, "That's a long time for you to wait for recognition that you should have been given in the 1940s."

In 1984, the members of WASP were awarded the WWII Victory Medal. Then in 2009, they were awarded with the Congressional Gold Medal - the highest civilian medal.

Devillier spoke about the progress made for gender equality in the U.S. Air Force. He mentioned that the first Air Force Academy class to graduate women was in 1980. He also explained that today, more than 20 percent of the U.S. Air Force is female and that nearly every career field is now open to women.

"There is no doubt that you broke many barriers for the women who serve in our military today," said Devillier. "You were pioneers for young ladies -- including my daughter who wants to go to the Air Force Academy and who wants to fly for our United States Air Force."

Devillier quoted Gen. Henry "Hap" Arnold, an Army Air Force commander during WWII, who gave a speech to the last WASP class in 1944.

Arnold said, "You and more than 900 of your sisters have shown that you can fly wingtip to wingtip with your brothers. If ever there was a doubt in anyone's mind that women can become skillful pilots, the WASP have dispelled that doubt."

"You paved the way for that," Devillier said. "I cannot thank you enough as a father and as a commander in the Air Force."