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Betty Ann Lussier was a fiercely independent, hardworking woman w/a craving for excitement & a compassion for humanitarian issues.
She was one of a few female pilots in #WWII.
She was also an #OSS counterintel officer.
bit.ly/2FBw2hZ
#WomensHistoryMonth
#WomenInIntel
She was one of a few female pilots in #WWII.
She was also an #OSS counterintel officer.
bit.ly/2FBw2hZ
#WomensHistoryMonth
#WomenInIntel
Betty’s father, Emile John Lussier, was a decorated #WWI fighter pilot w/British @RoyalAirForce.
She inherited his love of flying & joined Civilian Pilot Training Program @UofMaryland & worked nights building B-26 bombers.
At 20 years old, Betty was determined to fight in #WWII
She inherited his love of flying & joined Civilian Pilot Training Program @UofMaryland & worked nights building B-26 bombers.
At 20 years old, Betty was determined to fight in #WWII
1942: Betty joined British Air Transport Auxiliary, 1st female pilots to officially ferry planes in wartime
Betty wanted to see combat. Her godfather Sir William Stephenson [1.usa.gov/1EKjbUm] was friends w/Gen Donovan & helped her get a new gig w/#OSS
#WomensHistoryMonth
Betty wanted to see combat. Her godfather Sir William Stephenson [1.usa.gov/1EKjbUm] was friends w/Gen Donovan & helped her get a new gig w/#OSS
#WomensHistoryMonth
1943: Betty joined #OSS X-2 counterintel branch.
She was sent to London to join 1st group of 5 men & 5 women to be trained by the British in cryptography. With #ENIGMA cipher machine, they could read German field comms.
More on ENIGMA: bit.ly/2Fur5WQ
#WomenInIntel
She was sent to London to join 1st group of 5 men & 5 women to be trained by the British in cryptography. With #ENIGMA cipher machine, they could read German field comms.
More on ENIGMA: bit.ly/2Fur5WQ
#WomenInIntel
Betty was forced to stay behind when her X-2 unit was sent to southern France. Women were still not allowed on front lines
Undeterred, Betty convinced an Army Air Corps pilot she was a radio tech needed @ the front. He flew her there, & she rejoined her unit
#WomensHistoryMonth
Undeterred, Betty convinced an Army Air Corps pilot she was a radio tech needed @ the front. He flew her there, & she rejoined her unit
#WomensHistoryMonth
Betty was then sent to Cannes, France where she tracked down Nazi spies.
In 1 month, she & her X-2 colleagues uncovered 27 spies & were soon running several double agents.
Betty also met her future husband, a US Army captain & #OSS CI officer, Ricardo Sicre.
#WomensHistoryMonth
In 1 month, she & her X-2 colleagues uncovered 27 spies & were soon running several double agents.
Betty also met her future husband, a US Army captain & #OSS CI officer, Ricardo Sicre.
#WomensHistoryMonth
Betty left #OSS in 1945, married Ricardo & settled in Madrid, Spain, where they raised 4 sons. Ricardo became one of the wealthiest men in Spain.
The couple socialized frequently w/people like Ernest Hemingway, Ava Gardner, Grace Kelly & Spanish bullfighters
#WomensHistoryMonth
The couple socialized frequently w/people like Ernest Hemingway, Ava Gardner, Grace Kelly & Spanish bullfighters
#WomensHistoryMonth
Betty got her master’s from @Columbia & began a 2nd career working on humanitarian issues. She & Ricardo divorced but remained close friends.
At the age of 86, Betty still took to the sky piloting her plane. She died in 2017 at her home on the Chesapeake Bay
#WomensHistoryMonth
At the age of 86, Betty still took to the sky piloting her plane. She died in 2017 at her home on the Chesapeake Bay
#WomensHistoryMonth
