Date:
14 August 1945
Title:
Margaret Ringenberg VJ Day Leaflet
Description:
Allen County resident Margaret Ringenberg was a skilled and honored pilot, best known for her service in the Women Airforce Service Pilots, better known as WASPs, during World War II. After the WASPs were disbanded in December 1944, Ringenberg returned to Fort Wayne and became a pilot at Smith Field. In order to be the first to proclaim the news when the war was nearing an apparent end, local radio station WGL had pamphlets prepared in advance to announce the surrender of Japan.
The American use of the newly created atomic bomb on Hiroshima, August 6, and Nagasaki, August 9, ended the war with Japan due to the bombs' devastating effects. On the morning of August 14, 1945, Ringenberg got the call and took off flying through downtown Fort Wayne, dropping the leaflets over the city from her plane announcing the news of VJ Day (Victory in Japan).
The American use of the newly created atomic bomb on Hiroshima, August 6, and Nagasaki, August 9, ended the war with Japan due to the bombs' devastating effects. On the morning of August 14, 1945, Ringenberg got the call and took off flying through downtown Fort Wayne, dropping the leaflets over the city from her plane announcing the news of VJ Day (Victory in Japan).
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Margaret Ringenberg VJ Day leaflet, 1945
Margaret Ringenberg, c.1941-1944
Margaret Ringenberg
Margaret Ringenberg VJ Day leaflet, 1945
Margaret Ringenberg, c.1941-1944
Margaret Ringenberg