Garden City resident Margaret Gilman, one of approximately 1,800 women who served this nation in its struggle to overcome the Axis powers some 60 years ago, has been honored for her work flying fighters and bombers during World War II.

Gilman is a surviving member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (W.A.S.P.) who flew some of the "hottest" planes of the war from factories like Republic Aviation in Farmingdale to ports around the country before being shipped off to the front lines. Gilman was among many women who trained male pilots, gunners and navigators, preparing them for air combat overseas. Denied even the basic military benefits by a War Department hostile to the concept of women in the cockpit, some 38 W.A.S.P. lost their lives during their tour of duty.

Fifty-five years later, Gilman was one of a handful of surviving members on hand at the American Airpower Museum at Republic Airport in Farmingdale to receive the New York State Conspicuous Service Award for actions during the war.

Governor George Pataki welcomed the women as they arrived at the ceremonies aboard a C-47 transport plane, similar to the one that many W.A.S.P. flew. Upon exiting the aircraft, many World War II veterans who benefited from the actions of the W.A.S.P., along with women who have assumed leadership roles in Long Island business, welcomed the women with a standing ovation.

The ceremony not only honored the W.A.S.P. but also unveiled a new, permanent exhibit dedicated to the hard work and service of women pilots. Following the ceremony, Gilman said, "We are sincerely moved by this tribute. It was an honor to receive a tribute that belongs to not just those of us who attended this ceremony but all those who served with the W.A.S.P."

Upon presenting the medals, Governor Pataki said, "We are here to pay tribute to a group of women 1,857 Americans who wanted nothing more than the ability to participate in what General Eisenhower called 'The Great Crusade' - our struggle during World War II. But to achieve their goals, these women had to fight against a society that refused to acknowledge that they were equal partners - a fight that even today is far from won. But they used airpower to attack that glass ceiling and it was an incredibly effective weapon."

Gilman earned her pilots license in 1941 on Long Island and in 1944 was chosen for the W.A.S.P. training program. Stationed in Sweetwater, Texas, Gilman flew with her fellow male pilots and served as a trainer for these men before they were sent to war.

She has lived in Garden City since 1960 and has continued to be interested in both aviation and the W.A.S.P. She wrote a book about her experiences in the program and the story of the W.A.S.P. entitled, 44-W-10 The Lost Last Class of Avenger Field.

Remy Lehner, a sponsor of the W.A.S.P. exhibit and president of Inflight International, said, "Today is an opportunity to honor the women of World War II who left the kitchen and never looked back. In doing so we need to appreciate that they profoundly redefined our nation and our society. They were ignored during their service to our nation...abused by government bureaucrats and they were barely tolerated by the military. But these women made sure that we could never look at 'the weaker sex' in the same way again."

The American Airpower Museum at Republic is located at 1230 New Highway in Farmingdale, south of Conklin Avenue. It is open Thursday through Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Special events this year include the Airpower Heritage Weekend July 14-15 and Flight of Aces Labor Day weekend program. Admission is $4 for children, $6 for veterans and seniors and $8 for adults. Group rates are also available.