Easley High grad first woman pilot killed in Iraq

The Greenville News ^ | 01-03-04 | E. Richard Walton

[jaykay]

Helicopter pilot Capt. Kimberly Hampton of Easley was killed in Iraq Friday, making her the first female pilot casualty.

Saturday, her parents wrapped themselves in the memories of her warmth and smile, and her patriotic leanings.

"She believed in what she was doing over there," said her dad, Dale Hampton. "She was a commander of helicopters over there."

[jaykay]

The jihadist spin:

"Arab Mujahideen Down Another Chopper, One US Soldier Killed
Jan 03, 2004
JUS News Desk
Arab Mujahideen have shot down another OH-58 Kiowa observation helicopter in central Iraq, killing one pilot and injuring another. A policeman who saw the crash said the helicopter was hit by a missile as the US continues to wrongly accuse Saddam loyalists.

[jaykay]

When not shooting down U.S. Helicopters in Iraq, "Arab Mujahideen" enjoy other pastimes:

[visualops]

Ping
Sadly another SC KIA.

[MEG33]

May she rest in God's arms.May the perps receive the justice they deserve.

[jaykay]

"A partner in Jihad" - Osama Bin Laden lamenting the fall of Saddam Hussein in an audiotape broadcast by al (Qeada) Jazeera on Sunday, January 4, 2004.

[jaykay]

PC remembers alumna killed in Iraq



Capt. Kimberly Hampton '98 was killed Friday in Iraq when the helicopter she was piloting was attacked by ground fire.

U.S. Army Captain Kimberly Hampton, remembered as a "Renaissance woman" at Presbyterian College, is being mourned by the college community following her death Friday in Iraq.

Hampton, a native of Easley, S.C., and a 1998 graduate of Presbyterian College, was killed when her OH-58 Kiowa Warrior observation helicopter was attacked near the Iraqi town of Fallujah, west of Baghdad. A fellow solider on the helicopter was wounded in the attack.

"Alumni, students, faculty and staff often use the term 'PC family' because the college community is so close-knit. "We have lost a member of that family," PC director of communications Steve Owens said. "Kim was one of those students who could be found excelling in the classroom, competing on a tennis court, leading ROTC drills, working in the community, or meeting with friends. She truly was a Renaissance woman.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time."

Hampton graduated with honors as an English major, one day after being commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. She attended PC on a full ROTC scholarship and served as the commander of the Scottish Highlander Battalion during her senior year. She accepted the Daughters of the American Revolution Award, the George C. Marshall Award, and the Wysor Saber as the battalion's top graduate in 1998.

She also excelled in the classroom, where Hampton earned dean's list honors for five consecutive semesters and was a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa honor society.

Her contributions to campus and community life included service through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Campus Outreach, the Student-Athlete Advisory Board, and as a Red Cross volunteer.

It was as a member of the Blue Hose women's tennis team that Hampton gained the most attention. She finished her singles career with a 27-0 record in the South Atlantic Conference, winning conference singles titles in 1997 and 1998. The team captain finished her PC career ranked 28th nationally as a singles player and 18th nationally in doubles play.

Hampton led PC to the NCAA Division II Tournament for three consecutive years and was the SAC Female Athlete of the Year in 1998.

As a result of her honors, she was nominated by PC as an NCAA Woman of the Year.

"Kim will be remembered as one of PC's finest student-athletes," said Blue Hose sports information director Al Ansley. "It would be difficult to find someone who was able to balance so many activities while excelling at all of them. Above all, she was just a great person."

After earning her degree, Hampton was accepted into the aviation branch of the U.S. Army and was an honor graduate of U.S. Army Helicopter Flight School and Officer Basic Course at Fort Rucker, Ala.

Her first operational assignment was to the 4th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea. She served as a helicopter pilot and platoon leader there for two years with a mission of patrolling the No Fly Line along the Demilitarized Zone between North Korea and South Korea.

Hampton returned to Fort Rucker in January of 2002, and was an honors graduate of the seven-month Aviation Officer Advanced Course and Combined Arms Services Staff School. She was then assigned to the 82nd Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C., in August of 2002.

After serving in Afghanistan with Coalition Joint Task Force 180 for Operation Enduring Freedom, Hampton returned to the United States and was deployed to Iraq last September.

Despite her world travels, Hampton remained interested in and involved with her alma mater, according to director of alumni relations Randy Randall.

"As a class agent, it would be hard to find a better one. She would e-mail us from all over the world — whether Korea or Afghanistan — to keep us up to date and stay informed of what was happening at PC. She also expressed an interest in serving as a member of the ROTC Alumni Association executive committee," Randall said.

"One thing was clear —she was definitely doing what she loved."

PC observed a moment of silence for Hampton prior to Saturday's men's basketball game at the Ross E. Templeton Center.

http://www.presby.edu/visit/news/2003_news/010304_hampton.htm</a

[livius]

Very sad. Flying out to the West Coast for Christmas, I met a young Marine coming back from Iraq for a few days leave. He was nice, smart, a real dedicated American we would all be proud to have as a son. So many of the young people who have gone to Iraq are really the cream of the crop.

Prayers for Kimberly and her family.

[wita]

Unfortunately the only thing wrong with the war in Iraq is women in a combat zone. I have no desire to lessen the contributions of Captain Hampton, or to place any blame on her for the unfortunate situation. She obviously loved the military and her job, but women in a combat zone, other than nurses, remains a very sore subject with me, and if anyone needs any more proof than Private Lynch, please let me know. The United States Military has been hijacked by the congress and other civilians and it ought to stop.

Commanders military wide should have the guts to say enough. I will not accept women in a combat zone, but this is pc and it isn't going to happen.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

 

 

   

 

 

       

  Capt. Kimberly Hampton 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[uglybiker]

BTTT

[justshutupandtakeit]

God Bless this beautiful Patriot's family and her soul.

[SC Swamp Fox]

SC Ping List

FReepmail me if you want on or off this list.

[MEG33]

Honoring Capt.Kimberly Hampton

[dixie sass]

Thanks for the ping Meg.

[dixie sass]

Whether or not you like women in the service, this is not the thread to raise that subject on.

This thread is dedicated to and about a SOUTH CAROLINIAN, A SOLDIER.

This is about a person who loved their country and served it in a capacity that they felt was necessary.

Thank you Captain Hampton. May GOD rest your soul and may HE give your parents peace and comfort.

[MEG33]

Amen

[visualops]

South Carolina's fallen soldiers:

Specialist Darius T. Jennings, 22, Cordova, S.C.

Pvt. Algernon Adams, 36, Aiken, S.C.

Army Staff Sgt. Paul M. Neff, 30, Fort Mill, S.C.

Army Spc. Rian C. Ferguson, 22, Taylors, S.C.

Army Spc. Darius T. Jennings, 22, Cordova, S.C.

Army Sgt. Anthony O. Thompson, 26, Orangeburg, S.C.

Army Pfc. Vorn J. Mack, 19, Orangeburg, S.C.

Army Pfc. Michael S. Adams, 20, Spartanburg, S.C.

Army Spc. Orenthial J. Smith, 21, Allendale, S.C.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Patrick Lee Griffin, Jr., 31, Elgin, S.C.

Army Sgt. George Edward Buggs, 31, Barnwell, S.C.

Marine Pvt. Nolen R. Hutchings, 19, Boiling Springs, S.C.

[visualops]

I should include Lance Cpl. Joshua Daniel Speer, 20,
of Slater-Marietta, SC.
Cpl. Speer was killed in a car accident less than a week after returning home from Iraq. He was one of the group that rescued Private Lynch.
Speer was remembered as a devout Christian, who joined the Marines after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on America.
"That day changed his life forever," said the Rev. Dan Eshleman, his pastor at Faith Independent Church.

[Taxman]

Well said!

And you are absolutely correct.

[dixie sass]

Thank you Visualops, for listing these fine soldiers who gave their all for their country. We do well to remember their sacrifice.

South Carolina has a proud tradition of serving her country by the service of her citizens.