Opal Laster Anderson Averitt

Opal Anderson was 35 years old when she applied for service in the Air Transport Auxiliary. She had nearly 2300 hours of flight time, which made her one of the most experience American women. When she applied she was employed as a flight instructor in Chicago, IL. At the time Opal was recruited by Jackie Cochran she had a 6 ½ year old son, Norman. Cochran made sure that she made arrangements for the boy's care and had taken steps for his future is she was to have been hurt during her service in England.Opal was an extremely outgoing individual and made friends easily. She was in service with the Air Transport Auxiliary from June 1942 through April 1945.