Gertrude Tompkins Silver

Gertrude "Tommy" Tompkins Silver (October 16, 1911 – disappeared October 26, 1944) was the only Women Airforce Service Pilots member to go missing during World War II.

Early life
Gertrude Vreeland Tompkins was born October 16, 1911, in Jersey City, New Jersey, the daughter of Vreeland Tompkins and Laura Tompkins (née Towar).

Disappearance and search
She departed from Mines Field (Los Angeles International Airport) for Palm Springs, on October 26, 1944, flying a P-51D Mustang destined for New Jersey. She never arrived at Palm Springs and due to reporting errors a search wasn't started until three days later. Despite an extensive ground and water search no trace of Gertrude or the aircraft were found.

Follow up and aftermath
In January 2010 search efforts to locate the possible crash site in Santa Monica Bay were unsuccessful.