The P-51 Mustang crash site commemorates the brave service of Gertrude 'Tommy' Tompkins, a Women Airforce Service Pilot who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II. This historically significant location honors the often-overlooked contributions of the 1,000+ women who served as WASP pilots, flying dangerous non-combat missions to support the war effort. Visitors can pay their respects at this solemn memorial while learning about the groundbreaking women who paved the way for future female aviators.
The P-51 Mustang crash site marks the location where Women Airforce Service Pilot Gertrude 'Tommy' Tompkins disappeared during a training flight in World War II. The site lies in the heartland of America, near the geographic center of the continental United States in Kansas. Tompkins was one of approximately 1,100 women who served as WASPs, ferrying military aircraft, towing targets, and testing planes to free male pilots for combat duty. Gates investigated this site in search of wreckage and remains that might finally bring closure to a decades-old mystery and honor a forgotten American hero.
Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron formed, later merged into the Women Airforce Service Pilots program
Gertrude 'Tommy' Tompkins goes missing during a P-51 Mustang training flight over Kansas
WASP program disbanded after flying over 60 million miles in service
WASPs finally granted military veteran status, decades after their service
Josh Gates and the Expedition Unknown team search for evidence of Tompkins' fate
The Women Airforce Service Pilots represented a groundbreaking moment in American military history, though their contributions went largely unrecognized for decades. More than 1,000 women served as WASPs during World War II, flying every type of aircraft the Army Air Forces operated, from trainers to bombers. Despite performing the same duties as their male counterparts, they were classified as civilian employees and denied military benefits, even when 38 of them died in service.
Gertrude 'Tommy' Tompkins was one of those 38 women who never came home. Historical records indicate she disappeared during a routine training flight in a P-51 Mustang, one of the fastest and most advanced fighters of the war. The circumstances of her disappearance remained unclear for over seven decades, with her family lacking closure and her service unrecognized. Experts on the WASP program note that many of these women's stories were lost to history, their service files scattered or incomplete, making investigations like Gates' both challenging and essential.
The search for Tompkins' crash site represents more than an archaeological investigation — it's an effort to recover a piece of American history that was deliberately marginalized. The WASPs weren't granted military veteran status until 1977, more than three decades after their service ended. Gates' investigation brought attention to these forgotten heroes and the ongoing work to identify and honor their sacrifices.
While the episode explored the Kansas landscape where Tompkins likely went down, the vast rural terrain and passage of time made definitive answers difficult. The investigation demonstrated both the challenges of locating decades-old crash sites and the importance of remembering those who served in unconventional roles during the war.
The Women Airforce Service Pilots flew over 60 million miles during their service, delivering more than 12,000 aircraft to bases across America.
WASPs flew every aircraft in the Army Air Forces inventory, including B-26 Marauders and B-29 Superfortresses, planes that many male pilots considered too dangerous.
When a WASP died in service, her family had to pay to ship her body home, as the women were not granted military burials or benefits.
It took until 2010 for the WASPs to receive the Congressional Gold Medal, one of the highest civilian honors, recognizing their groundbreaking service over 65 years after the war ended.
The crash site area is located in rural Kansas, and exact coordinates may not be publicly accessible out of respect for the investigation and any potential remains. The surrounding region represents typical Kansas farmland and prairie. Those interested in WASP history may wish to visit the National WASP WWII Museum in Sweetwater, Texas, which preserves the history and honors the service of these pioneering aviators.
The site is located near the geographic center of the continental United States, with Wichita, Kansas, approximately 80-100 miles to the south serving as the nearest major city.
Spring and fall offer the most comfortable weather for exploring rural Kansas, with moderate temperatures and lower chances of severe weather. Summer can be extremely hot on the open prairie, while winter may bring harsh conditions.
Best time to visit: Spring through fall offers the best weather conditions for visiting this outdoor memorial site, with clear skies ideal for reflection and photography.
Travel tip: Contact local historical societies or aviation museums beforehand, as they often provide guided tours and additional context about the WASP program and this specific crash site.