The Remarkable Life of Jacqueline Cochran: Before America Joined, She Already Had

She was born Bessie Lee Pittman in the pine woods of northwest Florida, the youngest child of a sawmill laborer who often found himself out of work. Poverty was her constant companion, opportunity something she was expected to live without.

But Jacqueline Cochran never accepted the life laid out for her.

By her mid-twenties she had reinvented herself—first as a nurse, then as a New York beauty specialist, and eventually as a model who turned the heads of Fifth Avenue fashion editors. Yet her real transformation came the first time she climbed into the front seat of a small training aircraft. Within weeks, she was taking dual instruction. Within months, newspapers were already calling attention to a young woman from Florida who was determined to carve her future in the sky.

Her rise would be astonishing.
Her wartime service would be historic.
And her flight records would stand for decades.

But long before the United States entered World War II, Jacqueline Cochran had already taken her place on the front lines of a nation fighting for survival—Great Britain.

From Pine Barren to Possibility

Jacqueline Cochran was born in 1906 in Pine Barren, Escambia County, Florida, to Ira “Orrie” and Mary “Mollie” Pittman. The family appeared in the 1910 U.S. Census as sawmill laborers struggling to make ends meet. She married young—Robert H. Cochran—and the couple suffered the heartbreaking loss of their infant son in 1925. After a divorce, she left the South for New York City to begin again.

In New York, she took nursing courses, opened a beauty salon, modeled, and—after a dare—began flying lessons at Roosevelt Field.

The Brooklyn Eagle captured this turning point:

“A half-hour after her arrival at the field she was up in the air… She revealed she had made a wager with a friend that she would have her private license within three weeks.”
—Brooklyn Eagle (July 27, 1932)

The Times Union soon added:

“Miss Jacqueline Cochran, Miss Cochran is a graduate nurse, a brunette, and a native of Pensacola, FL.”
—Times Union (Brooklyn), July 31, 1932

A year later, the Buffalo News featured her preparing for competition:

“Trousers are the correct garb on the flying field… gray tweed suit, white parachute-silk scarf.”
—Buffalo News, Oct. 16, 1933

She was climbing fast.

Answering Britain’s Call (1941–42)

When the Second World War intensified, the Royal Air Force lacked pilots—particularly for ferrying new aircraft from factory to airfield. This was dangerous, skilled work that freed trained male pilots for combat.

Jacqueline Cochran stepped forward.

In June 1941, she delivered a U.S. bomber to Britain—the first woman in history to fly a military bomber across the Atlantic. The Daily Mirror captured her arrival in London, noting her trademark charm bracelet with thirteen charms.

The Birmingham Gazette added detail:

“First woman to fly U.S. bomber to Britain… Miss Jacqueline Cochran… wearing slacks and a jacket… hopes to fly more American bombers to Britain.”
—Birmingham Gazette (London), June 21, 1941

By early 1942, her mission expanded. The Huddersfield Daily Examiner reported:

“Miss Jacqueline Cochran… will recruit and help train licensed women pilots in the U.S. for ferry service in Britain… Their salaries will be paid by the British Government.”
—Huddersfield Daily Examiner, Jan. 24, 1942

Before America entered the war, Jackie Cochran had already joined the Allied fight.

Commander, WASPs – Leader of Women in Flight

Back in the United States, Cochran helped create and lead the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs). These women ferried aircraft, tested new planes, trained male cadets, and performed essential duties that kept the air war moving.

The San Luis Obispo Tribune later recalled:

“According to the New York Times, it all started with Jacqueline Cochran… She wound up with 26 women pilots, all eager to put their flying talents to wartime use.”
—The Tribune (San Luis Obispo), Jan. 24, 1980

She was the right leader at the right moment.

Supersonic Success

After the war, she pushed further.

She became one of the most decorated pilots in history:

• Only woman to win the Bendix Transcontinental Trophy (1938)

• Five-time Harmon Trophy winner (1937, ’38, ’39, ’46, ’50)

• First woman to break the sound barrier (1953)

• Held more speed, altitude, and distance records than any pilot of her time

On May 18, 1953, she flew an F-86 Sabre past Mach 1.

The Kansas City Star quoted her friend and fellow aviator Chuck Yeager:

“Jackie is in a class by herself.”
—Kansas City Star, June 21, 1953

Her husband Floyd Odlum marked the moment with a silver cup engraved:

“To Supersonic Jackie, From Floyd. May 11, 1953.”

From Pine Barren to the White House

Her rise—from a sawmill town to the highest circles of American leadership—was extraordinary.

The San Francisco Examiner obituary captured her achievements:

“Pioneer speed pilot… first woman flier to break the sound barrier… commander of the WASPs… recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal.”
—San Francisco Examiner, Aug. 9, 1980

She became close friends with Yeager.
President Eisenhower visited her ranch in California.
She shattered expectations at every stage of life.

Chuck Yeager summarized her the best:

“If speed flying is a man’s prerogative, then Jackie Cochran is the exception, because she has stood toe to toe with the men and fought it out without fear or favor.”
—Chuck Yeager

Why It Matters

Jacqueline Cochran’s life is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and extraordinary courage.

She proved that greatness doesn’t require privilege.
That reinvention is always possible.
And that barriers exist to be broken.

Long before the United States entered World War II, she crossed an ocean alone to help Britain fight for survival. She trained women pilots for the RAF, led the WASPs, and reshaped the possibilities for women in aviation.

Her story reminds us that history is moved forward not only by nations—but by remarkable individuals with the courage to act.

Images

Jacqueline Cochran standing beside the propeller of a military aircraft, early 1940s. One of the most accomplished pilots of her generation, she became the first woman to break the sound barrier and served Britain before the United States entered World War II. wikimedia commons.

Slide 1 – Etched Drawing (“Pine Barren”)

Digital line-art portrait created for History in Two Voices, inspired by early 20th-century etching styles.

Slide 2 – Reinvention in New York (“Beauty & Ambition”)

Digital illustration created for History in Two Voices using a 1930s portrait of Jacqueline Cochran and period-appropriate cosmetic motifs.

Slide 3 – Learning to Fly (“The Sky Was Calling”)

Digital composite created for History in Two Voices using reporting from the Brooklyn Eagle (July 27, 1932) and the Times Union (Brooklyn), July 31, 1932.

Slide 4 – For Britain (“Flying Bombers to England”)

Based on reporting from the Daily Mirror (London), June 21, 1941, and the Birmingham Gazette (June 21, 1941). Digital coloration and framing by History in Two Voices.

Slide 5 – RAF Ferry Command Article (UK newspaper)

Digital reproduction and restoration of newspaper reporting from the Huddersfield Daily Examiner (January 24, 1942). Framing and background illustrations by History in Two Voices.

Slide 6 – Supersonic Success (“Jackie is in a class by herself”)

Digital composite created using a 1953 press photograph and quote from Chuck Yeager as reported in the Kansas City Star (June 21, 1953). Artistic enhancements by History in Two Voices.

Slide 7 – Yeager–Eisenhower–Cochran (“From Pine Barren to the White House”)

Historic photo of Jacqueline Cochran greeting President Dwight D. Eisenhower with Chuck Yeager (public domain / U.S. Government).
Framed composition by History in Two Voices.

Final Slide – Why It Matters

Original design by History in Two Voices using custom cream-line jet artwork.