Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester is the first female soldier since World War II to receive the Silver Star medal for valor in combat.
Photo Credit: By Spec. Jeremy D. Crisp -- Defense Department Via Associated Press
Posted on 06/17/2005 5:43:15 AM PDT by Ramonan
Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester fought her way through an enemy ambush south of Baghdad, killing three insurgents with her M-4 rifle to save fellow soldiers' lives -- and yesterday became the first woman since World War II to win the Silver Star medal for valor in combat.
The 23-year-old retail store manager from Bowling Green, Ky., won the award for skillfully leading her team of military police soldiers in a counterattack after about 50 insurgents ambushed a supply convoy they were guarding near Salman Pak on March 20.
The 23-year-old retail store manager from Bowling Green, Ky., won the award for skillfully leading her team of military police soldiers in a counterattack after about 50 insurgents ambushed a supply convoy they were guarding near Salman Pak on March 20.
The medal, rare for any soldier, underscores the growing role in combat of U.S. female troops in Iraq's guerrilla war, where tens of thousands of American women have served, 36 have been killed and 285 wounded, according to Pentagon figures.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Who will cast the first stone?
Woamn?
Dust Jam.
While I don't believe women should have a combat role,there's NO disputing that this is"One HE** of a Woman"!!
Grace under fire. You go Ma'am!!!!!
*won the award*....you don't win the Silver Star.....
I agree with you completely!
I wondered if this wouldn't be from the military police ambush incident. Based on what I remember of the details from that event, she's more than deserving. Does anyone have a link to the detailed story on this, that was posted here?
"Hand Salute" to the young woamn!
There's a link right under the title, right under the word Woamn.
No, I mean to the detailed account of the ambush.
Here we go. I'm pretty sure this is the one I was remembering.
After Action Report - Raven 42 Ambushed!
(Account of defeated terrorist ambush in Iraq)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1371347/posts
After insurgents hit the convoy with a barrage of fire from machine guns, AK-47 assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades, Hester "maneuvered her team through the kill zone into a flanking position where she assaulted a trench line with grenades and M203 rounds," according to the Army citation accompanying the Silver Star.
"She then cleared two trenches with her squad leader where she engaged and eliminated three AIF [anti-Iraqi forces] with her M4 rifle. Her actions saved the lives of numerous convoy members," the citation stated.
Ah...I see you found it.
Unnngh..
Before anyone sticks their foot in their mouth, several other soldiers from this unit were awarded Silver and Bronze Stars for their actions in this incident...Both male and female. No PC favoritism in this awards crermony.
Well, we've had too many "Little ol' lady shoots / beats off intruder" stories to throw stones. On Free Republic, the question is more like "Is she married?" and "How can I get her phone number?"
Here's the AAR and more amazing commentary on this extraordinary unit and the ambush:
http://www.blackfive.net/main/2005/03/after_action_re.html
LOL!
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