DOROTHY ANN LUCAS

Dorothy Ann Lucas, age 99, passed away on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in San Antonio, Texas. She was born in Norfolk, Virginia, on December 4, 1922, the daughter of Mason and Helen Smith.

Following her formative years in North Carolina, Florida and Virginia Dorothy took classes at George Washington University at night and worked in the Pentagon during the day where Dorothy learned about the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), the first women to ever fly military aircraft. Wanting to do "her part" to support the war effort, she applied and was accepted into the program. The WASP served as administrative pilots in the US to ease the demand for males who were assigned for combat in overseas assignments during WWII. A prerequisite to join the organization included some flight training and to be at least 21 years of age. To gain the training needed, she borrowed $200 from her mother, and trained individually outside of Washington, DC where she gained instrumentation knowledge as well as practical flight time in a Stearman aircraft. Once she had the basic requirements fulfilled, she began her training in class 44-W-7 at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas.

Upon her graduation (of which there were only 1,076 women who successfully completed training and earned their wings), she was stationed at Moore Field in the Texas Valley where she was assigned to tow targets used to train male fighter pilots in aerial gunnery. She towed the target behind the AT-6 which she always said was her favorite aircraft to fly. While there, she met a young Air Force Captain, Alfred T. Lucas who was an instructor pilot also stationed at Moore Field. When the WASP were disbanded in December 1944, she began her 56-year marriage in February 1945 to Al and together they raised five children through his military career and retirement in Austin. Their assignments included stops in Houston, Germany, Indiana, Illinois, the Philippines and North Carolina. In 2010 after an arduous political battle, the WASP were recognized as veterans and awarded the highest civilian honor the US Government bestows on its citizens, receiving the Congressional Gold Medal in the Capitol Annex where she was accompanied by her children. Never one to flaunt her accomplishments, she reiterated her heroism was only motivated by "wanting to do her part in the war." Truly a member of America's "Greatest Generation".

Following their move to Austin, she enjoyed playing bridge with her husband and friends, and was an avid golfer who began while stationed in the Philippine Islands and honed in their final assignment in North Carolina. Her enjoyment of the game continued in retirement as a member of the Women's Golf Association at Woodcreek Country Club in Wimberley.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and husband, LTC Alfred T. Lucas (retired). Dorothy is survived by her children, Jana Lucas, Helen Hall (Tim), Melanie Wilson (Tom), Tom Lucas (Susan), and Marnie Anderson as well as 12 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

VISITATION

SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 2022

3:30 PM – 5:00 PM

PORTER LORING

MORTUARY WEST

1710 W. LOOP 1604 N.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE

WITH HONORS

MONDAY, JUNE 6, 2022

9:00 AM

FT. SAM HOUSTON

NATIONAL CEMETERY

1520 HARRY WURZBACH

RD.