The Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis, Washington is dedicated to all the men and women who have honorably served our nation in the Armed Forces, during peacetime and war. During World War II, about 350,000 (some sources indicate 400,000) women served in the American Armed Forces. This included WACS (Women’s Army Corps authorized in 1942), WAVES (Navy, Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service), and WASPS (Women’s Airforce Service Pilots).
WASPS were considered civil service employees and therefore they received no military honors or benefits. On March 10, 2010 WASPS finally received the Congressional Gold Medal.
Many of the displays show World War II women veterans.