Alta Marie Derry nee Clayton born in Port Hueneme, California December 18, 1900, owned and operated the Derry Parachute Service in Inglewood, California from 1939 to 1962. In that time she and her 3 riggers saved over 30 test pilots and private pilots lives. Her riggers were Marry Strunk (on the Wing of Honor), Thelma Davenport and Diana White. Alta and all 3 riggers were Honored by the Pioneer Parachut Company's Caterpillar Club for parachutes used to save the lives of test pilots and private pilots when they jumped to save their lives due to an aircraft failure. Her clients were North American Aviation, McDonald Douglas Aviation, Hughes Aircraft, Northrop, and Ryan Aircraft and all the private airports in the Los Angeles area. She also consulted with the Air Force during Parachute Sled Run tests in the Mohave Desert. In 1955 a parachute packed by Mary Strunk was used in the first successful Supersonic bail out by John Smith a test pilot for North American. She was pictured and named Women of the Week in a weekly Aviation Newpaper. Ther Derry Parachute Service was closed in 1962 due to Alta's massive stroke. She endured the 21 years unable to talk. She passed awy in November 1983.