Marion Stegeman Hodgson '41
is one of UGA's most unique World War II veterans. She was one of the first women to train for the Army Air Corps.

Marion grew up in Athens and was the daughter of the University's legendary coach H. J. Stegeman for whom Stegeman Hall was named. She graduated in 1941, the year of Pearl Harbor, and earned her Pilot's license while a student at the University.

The following year, the government issued a call for licensed women pilots to volunteer for Air Corps flight training. She volunteered in March, 1943 and reported to Sweetwater, Texas where she was one of the first classes of women to train for the Army Air Forces as a WASP (Women's Airforce Service Pilot). After six months of intensive training night and day, she received her silver wings and was ordered to Love Field, Dallas, Texas.

Marion served with the 5th Ferrying Group, where she picked up new planes at factories and delivered them to air bases around the country. Marion has written a book about her experiences in World War II entitled "Winning My Wings" which is now in its third printing. She married the hero of the book, the late Ned Hodgson, a Marine pilot with whom she has two sons and a daughter.

It was 30 years after she entered the service that she was given veteran status. She was inducted into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame in 2004 and into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame in 2005. She was the first woman inducted into the Order of Daedalians, an organization of military pilots and other honors include: Citizens Patriot Award from the Department of Defense, the George Haddaway Medal for Achievement in Aviation, Dedicated Service and Exemplary Performance award from Friends of the 2nd Air Division Memorial (England).

She has published short stories and articles in national magazines (McCalls, Good Housekeeping, Guideposts) written a novel, four cookbooks, and numerous articles about women pilots. Following service, her husband Ned flew for Eastern Airlines for 52 years and they made their home in Texas.

Her brother was the late Dr. John Stegeman '40, beloved Athens physician and author, and her sister is Joanna Traylor '66, '95, who presently resides in Athens.