Congress awards a Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), recognizing them for their trailblazing contributions during World War II when they flew military aircraft in non-combat roles to free up male pilots for combat. More than 200 surviving members attended the Capitol Hill ceremony. From 1942 to 1943, more than 1,000 women joined WASP, flying 60 million miles of noncombat military missions.
The U.S. began extensive air and artillery strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria on Dec. 19 in retaliation for the killing of three Americans on Dec. 13 by a gunman affiliated with ISIS, U.S. officials said.
