Lucille Chaffin Kent

Lucille Chaffin Kent (1908–1997) was an American aviator and instructor known for training military pilots during World War II.

Lucille Chaffin Kent
Born(1908-04-28)April 28, 1908
DiedJune 3, 1997(1997-06-03) (aged 89)
Lynchburg, Virginia
NationalityAmerican
EducationRandolph-Macon Woman's College
Occupation(s)aviator and instructor

Early life and education

Lucille Chaffin was born in Campbell County, Virginia on 28 April 1908 to Lula and Walter Beverley Chaffin Snr, who worked in life insurance.[1][2] She attended Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Lynchburg, Virginia, graduating in 1938.[3]

Career

She was one of the first women in Virginia to earn an instructor's rating in aeronautics. She worked at the Civilian Pilot Training Program in Lynchburg where she served as director of the ground school. She taught for Lynchburg College at various locations during the World War II era, instructing about 2,000 future pilots who would go on the serve in the military.[4]

Personal life

Chaffin married Robert Bruce Caldwell on December 24, 1924, later divorcing him in September 1946.[5] She then married William C. Kent in 1948.

She died on June 3, 1997.[1]

Commemoration

In 2016 the Virginia Department of Historic Resources dedicated an historical marker in her honor in Lynchburg.[6] In 2018 the Virginia Capitol Foundation announced that her name would be on the Virginia Women's Monument's glass Wall of Honor.[7]

References
  1. "Lucille Chaffin Kent Historical Marker". Historical Marker Database. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  2. "1910 United States Federal Census". Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  3. "Etched into history: Long list of esteemed alumnae included on new Virginia Women's Monument". Randolph College News and Events. 30 October 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  4. Turyn, Noreen (4 July 2016). "Female aviator to get historical marker in Lynchburg, pending funding". WSET. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  5. "Virginia, U.S., Divorce Records, 1918-2014". Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  6. "State Historical Highway Marker "Lucille Chaffin Kent" to be Dedicated in Lynchburg" (PDF). Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  7. "Wall of Honor". Virginia Women's Monument Commission. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
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