Jean Roberts, pictured center, accepts the Congressional Gold Medal, the U.S. government’s highest civilian honor, on behalf of her late sister, Ruth Roberts, from U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Martha Johnston, a friend of the sisters, watched the Nov. 11 presentation at Catholic Eldercare in Minneapolis, where Roberts lives.
Ruth Roberts, 91, who died on March 10, 2006, joined the Women Airforce Service Pilots during World War II. She graduated from training at Avenger field in Sweetwater, Texas in 1943 as one of the first 385 female pilots to receive their wings. Those who served as WASP were considered civil service employees until 1977, when Congress granted them veteran status and, in 1979, issued official honorable discharges.
