Cornelia Fort: A Legacy of Courage Takes Flight
At the Commemorative Air Force, we believe in preserving the stories of those who changed the course of history—not just through what they did, but through the barriers they broke and the lives they inspired. One of those stories belongs to Cornelia Fort, a Nashville-born aviator whose courage in the cockpit during some of history’s most defining moments made her a trailblazer in American aviation. Today, her legacy lives on through aircraft, film, and educational outreach—all proudly supported by the CAF.
Who Was Cornelia Fort?
Born in 1919 into a prominent Tennessee family, Cornelia Clark Fort defied convention and followed her passion for flight. By her early twenties, she had become the second woman in Tennessee to earn a commercial pilot’s license and the first to gain her instructor’s rating. Her career would soon catapult into the pages of history.
On the morning of December 7, 1941, Cornelia was in the air over Honolulu, instructing a student pilot, when she became the first American pilot to encounter the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. She narrowly avoided a mid-air collision with a Japanese Zero and landed her plane under fire. Her firsthand account of the attack stunned the world—and gave the United States its first airborne witness to a day that would live in infamy. Fueled by a sense of duty, Cornelia joined the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) in 1942, becoming one of the first women to fly military aircraft for the United States. She was known for her skill, determination, and dedication to the war effort, ferrying planes across the country to support the front lines. Tragically, Cornelia lost her life in a mid-air collision in 1943 while delivering a military aircraft to Texas, making her the first female pilot to die on active duty with the U.S. Army.
Keeping Her Memory Alive: “Miss Cornelia” and the Music City Wing
In honor of her service and sacrifice, the CAF Music City Wing named their 1942 Fairchild PT-19 Miss Cornelia—the same model aircraft she flew during her military training. Based at Lebanon Municipal Airport near Nashville, the Music City Wing uses this fully restored, open-cockpit trainer to provide living history flight experiences to the public, giving people of all ages the chance to connect with the story of Cornelia Fort in the most meaningful way possible—through flight.
Miss Cornelia isn’t just a tribute; it’s a teaching tool. Whether displayed at the annual Warbird Day or offering rides throughout the region, this aircraft plays a central role in fulfilling the CAF’s mission to educate, inspire, and honor. “If we’re not here to pass it on, who’s going to do it?” says Shane Orr, the Music City Wing’s Public Information Officer. “We want to make sure history is not forgotten—these are very special aircraft and very special people who flew them”.
On the Big Screen: Crosswinds at Airbase Georgia
This year, Cornelia’s story is also taking flight on film. On June 28, 2025, CAF Airbase Georgia will host a special screening of Crosswinds: The Courageous Life of Cornelia Fort, a documentary by Redwood Educational Technologies that captures the essence of her groundbreaking career. Featuring interviews with Fort family members and aviation historians, the film brings new insight into Cornelia’s role as both a witness to history and a pioneer in the skies.
The screening will take place inside Airbase Georgia’s Warbird Museum in Peachtree City, with additional vintage exhibits and a display of their own PT-19 Cornell—the same model flown by Cornelia. Attendees will experience a nostalgic 1940s movie night, complete with WWII-era reenactors, hands-on exhibits, and even dog tag-making for kids.
The CAF Rise Above Program: Inspiring the Next Generation
Cornelia Fort’s legacy doesn’t end with aircraft and film. It lives on every day through the CAF’s Rise Above Educational Outreach Program, which tells the often-overlooked stories of barrier-breaking aviators, including the Tuskegee Airmen, WASP, and others. By bringing these stories into classrooms, libraries, and community centers across the country, the program seeks to motivate young people—especially those who may feel unseen or underestimated—to rise above adversity and aim higher.
Cornelia’s life, with its bold choices and fearless ambition, is a perfect fit for the Rise Above message. As she once wrote: “As long as our planes fly overhead, the skies of America are free… That we, in a very small way, are being allowed to help keep that sky free is the most beautiful thing I have ever known.”
A Lasting Tribute
The Commemorative Air Force is proud to honor Cornelia Fort—not just as a figure in aviation history, but as a symbol of what it means to rise to the occasion, challenge the status quo, and serve something greater than oneself. Through named aircraft, educational programs, and public storytelling, we ensure that her courage is never forgotten and always flying forward.
- To learn more or book a ride aboard PT-19 Miss Cornelia, visit www.cafmusiccity.org.
- To attend the upcoming Crosswinds screening on June 28, 2025, visit www.cafairbasegeorgia.com.
- And to support educational outreach programs like CAF Rise Above WASP, go to www.commemorativeairforce.org.
