Born: 1919 (Location unknown)
Died: 2010 (Location unknown)
Biography:
Micky Axton, born Mildred Darlene Tuttle on January 9, 1919, was a pioneering American aviator who made significant contributions as a test pilot during World War II. She was one of the first three Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) to be trained as a test pilot and holds the distinction of becoming the first woman to fly a B-29 bomber. Axton’s passion for aviation was fostered at an early age. As a child, she experienced her first airplane ride in a Curtiss Jenny flown by a neighbor who was part of the Inman Brothers Barnstorming Flying Circus.
Following her graduation from Field Kindley High School in 1936, Axton pursued her academic endeavors at Coffeyville Community College and later Kansas State University. She obtained a teaching certificate in 1940 and went on to teach chemistry at Coffeyville Community College. It was during this time that she acquired her pilot’s license and became the sole woman in her class at the Civilian Pilot Training program.
Aviation was evidently a family affair for Axton. Her great-grandmother became her first passenger after she obtained her pilot’s license. Moreover, her brother, Ralph Tut Tuttle, played a significant role in shaping her aviation aspirations. Tuttle, a World War II fighter pilot, completed an impressive 250 missions, earning him two Distinguished Flying Crosses and a Silver Star.
On June 1, 1941, Mildred Tuttle married David Wayne Axton, and the couple settled in Wichita, Kansas. In 1943, Axton’s pioneering spirit led her to join the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) 43-W-7 training class. Upon graduation, she was stationed at Pecos Army Airfield Base in Texas. However, she left the WASP program in April 1944 due to her mother falling ill.
Ever determined, Axton sought a new opportunity and applied for a job at the Boeing aircraft plant in Wichita. Her skills and passion for aviation proved undeniable, and she was hired as a flight test engineer. In May 1944, Axton achieved historical significance by becoming the first woman to pilot a Boeing B-29 Superfortress, an impressive feat considering it was one of the largest aircraft of its time. Recounting the experience, Axton shared that she was instructed to crawl through the tunnel and ultimately had the exhilarating opportunity to fly the B-29 for approximately 20 to 25 minutes.
Leaving behind her time as a test pilot, Axton transitioned into a teaching career. From 1958 to 1969, she shared her knowledge and passion for chemistry at East High School in Wichita, Kansas. Her dedication to education and her commitment to empowering the next generation of aviators exemplified the impact that Axton made both in the skies and in the classroom.
Throughout her life, Micky Axton remained an active member of the Commemorative Air Force, dedicating forty years to the organization. Sadly, her husband passed away in 1998. On February 6, 2010, Axton died at the age of 91, following a brief illness. Her remarkable contributions to aviation continue to be celebrated, leaving behind an enduring legacy.