She vanished without a trace

Gertrude Vreeland “Tommy” Tomkins Silver (Class 43-W-7) was the third and youngest daughter of

Vreeland and Laura Tompkins, born October 16, 1912.

Gertrude modestly chose the Pennsylvania School of Horticulture for

Women, in Ambler, Pennsylvania, just north of Philadelphia. There, her interest in farm animals blossomed. She had found her calling, at least for the moment. For the next decade, when she wasn’t home helping her father at his factory, Gertrude made frequent trips to all parts of the world, sometimes with family, but usually alone. She wanted to see the world’s farms and gardens.

Gertrude entered training at Avenger Field on May 23, 1943, and was one of 59 out of 101 trainees to successfully graduate on November 13. Her assignment was with the 5^th Ferrying Group at Love Field in Dallas. For nearly a year, she flew almost every type of plane produced for the Army, and after a month’s worth of training at the Palm Springs Army Airfield, she qualified to fly the P-51 Mustang and other pursuit aircraft.

Gertrude Tomkins Silver

Gertrude received orders to report to the North American Aviation factory alongside Mines Field (now part of the Los Angeles International Airport). She and 40 other women would fly brand new P-51 fighters from Los Angeles to Newark, New Jersey. Gertrude reported to Mines Field, October 26, 1944.

Leaving the runway, she flew west over Santa Monica Bay, disappearing into the fog. She was never seen again. Gertrude was the only WASP pilot to disappear without a trace. Many attempt have been made to find her final resting place; however, her fate is still a mystery.

(16 October 1912 – 26 October 1944)

Memorial Plaque

P-51 fighter