Jacqueline Cochran

Before the United States joined World War II Cochran was part of "Wings for Britain" an organization that ferried American built aircraft to Britain becoming the first woman to fly a bomber (a Lockheed Hudson V) across the Atlantic. Though Cochran initially supported the program Jacqueline Cochran was later responsible for delaying further phases of testing and letters from her to members of the Navy and NASA expressing concern over whether the program was to be run properly and in accordance with NASA goals may have significantly contributed to the eventual cancellation of the program. In the early part of 1952 Jacqueline Cochran and her husband helped sponsor a large rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City in support of an Eisenhower presidential candidacy.

Jacqueline Cochran (May 11 1906 – August 9 1980) was a pioneer American aviator considered to be one of the most gifted racing pilots of her generation.