Welcome to The Alliance for National Defense - A Positive Voice for Women in the Military

The Alliance for National Defense (AND) serves as a positive voice for American military women. As a non-profit, tax-exempt educational organization, we work to collect the facts on US military women and provide these to scholars, the media, the public and national decision makers. We aim to bring organizations and individuals together to continually monitor the accomplishments of American military women and the level of support they receive from their Services. We share our findings with all so that everyone can be better educated concerning the status of US military women.

Women in the US Armed Forces have a long record of proven success. While it has only been sixty years since women could formally and permanently be part of the regular military Services in our country, women have served in all American conflicts. As an integral part of the All Volunteer Forces, women have significantly participated in creating unparalleled levels of military readiness.

Today, in operations around the globe, American women are performing their duties superbly. They are facing hardship, they are separated from their families and most importantly they are serving their country. They do this along side their brothers and they do it voluntarily.

 

 
 

Jessica Hill

Lieutenant Jessica Hill, USCG, 31, of St. Augustine, FL died, along with a second diver, Aug 17, 2006 while conducting a cold-water familiarization dive about 600 miles from Barrow, AK. She was assigned to the Coast Guard cutter Healy which was on a research mission for the National Science Foundation. She was an experienced civilian diver and joined the Coast Guard in 2001 after earning a master’s in marine sciences. As the ship’s marine sciences officer, she was responsible for overseeing communications between visiting scientists and the command. She also managed the dive operations for scientific research as well as ship maintenance and operations. One of the ship’s officers said that the death of her and her fellow diver were hard on the ship’s crew as they “were incredible shipmates.” Her sister said that “as long as I can remember, she wanted to be around water.” She also described Hill as a beautiful, big-hearted woman who loved what she did and died doing what she loved. We’re so sad she’s gone.”

Denise Lannaman

Sergeant Denise A. Lannaman, ANG, 46, of Bayside, NY died Oct 1, 2006 at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait from a non-combat related incident while temporarily assigned to the Army's 63rd Engineering Company. Her permanent assignment was with the 1569th Transportation Company, Army National Guard, Newburgh, NY. She was a mechanic and electrician. Originally from Kingston, Jamaica she moved to the US, became a citizen and served in the U.S. Navy and Naval Reserve after which she worked as a lifeguard and swimming instructor. She spent time trying to save the environment but cleaning up waterways. After 9/11, she decided to reenlist in the military and joined the Army National Guard. Trained as a truck driver, she originally was deployed to Iraq in December 2004. When the 1569th returned to the US, she asked to stay and was then assigned to the 63rd. Her sister said “she was brilliant. She was passionate about everything she did. She was so talented and had so many dreams.” “She was just such a great person,” said her mother.

Juana Navarro-Arellano

Lance Corporal Juana Navarro-Arellano, USMC, 24, of Ceres, CA, died Apr 8, 2006 in Al Anbar Province, Iraq of a gunshot wound received during a firefight where she was providing covering fire from a defensive position. Although permanently assigned to the 9th Engineer Support Battalion, Okinawa, she was transferred to Iraq in May 2005 where she was attached to the 7th Engineer Support Battalion because of the need for her specialty as a bulk fuel specialist. She was born in Mexico and moved to the U.S. as an infant, becoming an American citizen at 13. She graduated from Johansen High School, Modesto, CA in 2000, where she volunteered with special education children. She then followed her twin brothers into the Marine Corps where she excelled. When she graduated from boot camp in Aug 2005, she was named “Molly Marine,” an award given based on a vote by her platoon members. She was honored at a memorial service in Okinawa where her Marine colleagues used words like compassionate, warrior, awesome personality and sacrifice. Both her Battalion and Company Commanders paid tribute to her as a fearless Marine who, without hesitation, volunteered to fight beside her fellow Marines in the security platoon. A close Marine friend said, “She was the toughest girl I’ve ever met. She demanded to be treated equal.” He went on to say, “I’ve never seen her upset. She had the ability to make everyone smile. “She was an inspiration to all of us,” her Company CO said. “Her sacrifice is the true definition of honor, courage, commitment.”

Kirsten Fike

Specialist Kirsten Fike, ANG, 36, of Warren, PA died Aug 10, 2006 in Yuma, AZ after collapsing in 104-degree heat along the Arizona-Mexico border. Fike, who was assigned to the 28th Military Police Company, Army National Guard based in Greensburg, PA, was among a team of four soldiers working during a 12-hour mission to spot illegal immigrants. She collapsed while helping put up netting that had blown down. She was the first death in Arizona of a National Guard member since the start in June of Operation Jump Start, an initiative to put National Guard troops in support of Border Patrol operations along the Mexican border. She had just joined the Guard in Jun after previously serving in the Air Force. The governor of Pennsylvania sent condolences to the family.

Wakkuna Jackson

Sergeant Wakkuna A. Jackson, USA, 21, of Jacksonville, FL died Aug 19, 2006 in Kunar, Afghanistan when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near her vehicle. She was assigned to the 710th Combat Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY. Jackson graduated from Jacksonville’s Stanton Preparatory School where she was on the honor roll. She joined the Army in 2004 because she wanted to save money for college and then become a pediatric doctor. At the time of her death she was delivering supplies to a hospital serving women and children. “She just really gave everything she had,” said Sgt. Charles Bartell who served with her. “Even with the way things were over there, I never heard her say anything negative about anyone or anything," he added. A friend said, “she was always willing and able to give a helping hand to help anyone in need.” Her family called her a remarkable person. Her father said she could do anything, was friendly to everybody and was very understanding. Her sisters said she was the strongest person in the family, and one of her teachers described her as “having a tremendous presence; she was clearly a leader.”

Hannah McKinney

Private First Class Hannah Gunterman McKinney, USA, 20, of Redlands, CA died Sep 4, 2006 in Taji, Iraq when she was run over by a humvee. She was assigned to 542nd Maintenance Company, 44th Corps Support Battalion, Fort Lewis, WA. She graduated from Redlands High School and immediately joined the Army. She deployed to Iraq in Nov 2005 where she served as a quartermaster at Fort Taji. Her duties included order processing and manning a machine gun on a guard tower at the base. As a child she was always cheerful and so the family nicknamed her Happy Hannah. “She always made us laugh,” said her brother Matt. She loved to read and started a base library at Fort Taji. Her favorite book was Gone With the Wind. Matt said “I think she identified with Scarlett O’Hara because they were both very decisive and strong-headed.” After becoming pregnant, she left the Army in 2004, but returned in 2005. While at Fort Lewis, WA she met and married Christopher McKinney who had also attended Redlands High School. Her mother said she will miss her daughter’s “beautiful dimples when she smiled, but at least we still have her son.”

Meredeth Howard

Sergeant First Class Merideth Howard, USAR, 52, of Alameda, CA died Sep 8, 2006 in Kabul, Afghanistan when an IED detonated near her humvee. She was assigned to the 405th Civil Affairs Battalion at Fort Bragg, NC. She is the oldest American woman to die in combat. Howard graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in marine resource management. She was the first woman firefighter in Bryan, TX and later became a fire-risk management specialist and set up a consulting firm in California. She joined the Army Reserves in 1988 and after serving in a medical unit, was assigned to the Individual Ready Reserve in 1996. Howard had never deployed prior to her call up to serve with a civil affairs reconstruction team in Afghanistan. Initially, she handled paperwork at the base, but she also sought out missions so she could be out with the Afghan people. And she wanted to be a gunner. "She wanted to do everything," said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Felicia Mason who was Howard's roommate. "She wanted to be able to excel in everything. Because she didn't want anyone to say she couldn't do it because she was a woman." Eventually, she did become a gunner but had to build a wooden box so she could see over the turret. (Ironically, the convoy she was in when she was killed had just picked up three new humvees with adjustable platforms for the gunner which meant she wouldn’t have needed her box anymore.) A cousin said Howard enjoyed being near the water and that they used to go to the beach together. She is survived by her husband, who makes fireworks, and two cousins.

Emily Perez

Second Lieutenant Emily J.T. Perez, USA, 23, of Fort Washington, MD died Sep 12, 2006 in Al Kifl, Iraq when an IED detonated near her humvee. She was a Medical Service Corps officer assigned to the 204th Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, TX. She is the first combat death of the West Point class of 2005, known as the 9/11 class because they arrived on campus just two weeks before the 9/11 terrorist attacks. She also is the first woman Military Academy graduate to be killed in Iraq, and is buried at West Point. She held the second highest rank in her senior class and as brigade command sergeant major was the highest-ranking minority woman in the history of West Point. She set school records as a sprinter on the track team, led the school’s gospel choir and tutored a number of other students. As a teenager, she started an AIDS ministry at her hometown church and, just prior to her deployment, donated bone marrow to a stranger in her home town. Her West Point roommate said Perez’s accomplishments stemmed from an unwavering self-confidence. “She didn’t worry about somebody liking her or not.” An assistant West Point track coach said “she was just the kind of kid you want your own children to be like.” And one of her pastors described her as “one of the most brilliant people I ever met.” Friends said she was bubbly, dedicated, talented, opinionated, confident, with a laugh you could hear miles away.

Jennifer Hartman

Sergeant Jennifer M. Hartman, USA, 21, of New Ringgold, PA died Sep 14, 2006 in Baghdad, Iraq when a vehicle with an IED detonated near the West Baghdad Substation where she was located. She was assigned to the 4th Support Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, TX. She was a food service specialist. Harman graduated from Tamaqua High School in New Ringgold. She enjoyed outdoor activities and her passions in life included four wheeling on all-terrain vehicles, jet skiing, and knee boarding. She enlisted in Jul 2003 and was deployed to Iraq in Dec 2005. One of her supervisors, who trained and mentored her, said she became an outstanding leader. Several friends and co-workers said that although she was quiet and shy, she could always make people laugh. As one put it, “she was such a sweet quiet girl who randomly said the most hilarious things completely out of context.”

Ashley Henderson Huff

First Lieutenant Ashley L. Henderson Huff, USA, 23, of Athens, GA died Sep 19, 2006 of injuries suffered in Mosul, Iraq when an IED detonated near her convoy. She was a platoon leader in the 549th Military Police Company, 385th Military Police Battalion, Fort Stewart, GA. She was a trainer for the Iraqi police force and was working on building a new police academy in Kurdistan. She was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge. She grew up in Baton Rouge, LA and Belle Mead, NJ where she graduated from high school. She attended the University of Georgia and was a member of the ROTC unit where she was one of the top cadets and mentored younger students. She was an avid Georgia Bulldog football fan. A fellow officer said she was an outstanding MP officer—extremely bright and very passionate about her work and soldiers. Others commented on her warmth, smile, intelligence, confidence, humor, grace and energy. Her father said “she was a happy person, a good leader. She was very caring about her soldiers—well respected by them and by her commanding officers.”

Jaime Jaenke

Petty Officer Second Class Jaime S, Jaenke, USNR, 29, of Iowa Falls, IA, died Jun 5, 2006 in Al Anbar Province, Iraq when her Humvee struck an improvised explosive device. She was a hospital corpsman (medic) assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 25, Fort McCoy, WI. Born in Iowa, she moved to Wisconsin after kindergarten where she graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1995. She then became an Emergency Medical Technician with an ambulance service. Two years ago she returned to Iowa Falls and took nursing courses at the local community college. Last fall, she opened a business training and boarding horses and teaching people to ride. Ruth Reingardt, an Iowa Falls teacher, said Jaenke “was real proud of what she was doing over there. It was interesting to see her grow from a quiet little girl into the more assertive person she was.” She is survived by a nine year old daughter, Kayla, to whom she often sent pictures of what she was doing in Iraq. Reingardt, who also taught Kayla, said she was a chatterbox about her mother during the last months of the school year. “It was a daily kind of discussion,” Reingardt said. “She would say, ‘Well, now it’s so many days until mom comes back and we’re going to go camping when she gets back.’ ”

Tina Priest

Private First Class Tina M. Priest, USA, 20 of Smithville, TX, a suburb of Austin, died on Mar 1, 2006 in Taji, Iraq from a non-combat related injury. She was assigned to the 4th Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, TX. After high school she earned certification as a medical assistant, but when she joined the Army became an Automated Logistical Specialist. Additionally, in Iraq she was a gunner on a humvee. Brigadier General John F. Campbell, Deputy Commanding General (Maneuver), 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas spoke at her funeral. In late April, her twin sister is scheduled to lead a riderless horse in a Smithville parade. Friends and family said she was a good American who always was a leader and hard worker. They also described her as a wonderful young lady who touched many lives. Her father said she lived life to its fullest extent at all times.

Regina Reali

Sergeant Regina C. Reali, USAR, 25 of Fresno, CA died Dec 23, 2005 in Baghdad, Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated near her humvee. She was assigned to the Army Reserve’s 351st Civil Affairs Command, Mountain View, CA. She graduated from Fresno High School in 1999. She worked at Home Depot and was a student at Fresno City College. She joined the Army Reserves as a civil affair specialist in Jul 2000. Her brother described her as an awesome, loving, caring, intelligent, people person. He also said she was energetic and had lots of friends. Others described her as a woman with a huge heart and a smile to share who was full of life and would do anything for anyone. One of her fellow reservists talked of how she brightened the lives of those in the local Iraqi villages she was helping. He also said she had pride in all she did and that no task was too tough for her. She was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge.

Carrie  French

Spec. Carrie L. French, 19 of Caldwell, ID, Army National Guard, 145th Support Battalion, based in Boise, ID, died Jun 5, 2005 in Kirkuk, Iraq when an improvised explosive device hit the front of her convoy vehicle and detonated. She was an ammunition specialist with the 116th Brigade Combat Team headquartered in Boise, ID. She had joined to earn money for college after which she planned to travel in Europe and study law. She was described as a positive, hard working, fun loving young woman with a warm heart and desire to serve. She is survived by her parents.

Debra Banaszak

First Lieutenant Debra A. Banaszak, Army National Guard, 35 of Bloomington, IL, died Oct 28, 2005 at Camp Victory, Kuwait from noncombat related injuries. She was assigned to the Army National Guard’s 1035th Maintenance Company, Jefferson Barracks, MO which provides maintenance for tactical vehicles. She served in the military for almost 17 years. When she graduated from high school in 1989, she enlisted in the Army Reserve. After a year and a half she joined the Illinois National Guard, followed by the Missouri Air National Guard and then the Missouri Army National Guard. After becoming a Staff Sergeant, she was selected for Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in Sep 2000. She was a career police officer who most recently worked as a sheriff’s deputy in St Charles, MO. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 2000. At her funeral, Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn said of her that “we see sports stars and rock stars, but they aren't the role models we should fashion our lives after. It's the Debra Banaszaks we should want to be like."

Julia Atkins

Sergeant Julia Atkins, USA, 22 of Bossier City, LA died in Baghdad, Iraq on Dec 10, 2005 when an improvised explosive device detonated near her humvee during patrol operations. She was assigned to the 64th Military Police Company, Fort Hood, TX and was on her second tour in Iraq. Shortly after getting her GED, she joined the Army, in part because both her father and step-brother were in the military. Her father recently returned from a tour in Iraq. At her funeral, her battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel Bob Taradash, said “she’s part of my family. She’s a family member. It’s more than just a job. Most people wouldn’t understand.” Major General Donald Ryder said “she left a legacy in her life her fellow soldiers will remember and take to their graves when they are 70.” When she was home the previous summer, she loved piling her nieces and nephews into her bright red car and hitting the road. “She loved to shop and loved to eat,” said her stepbrother. She was scheduled to return home in Feb 2006 and had planned to leave the Army, marry Sergeant Keith Mack, USA and go to college.

Jaime Campbell

First Lieutenant Jaime Lynn Krausse Campbell, Army National Guard, 25 of Fairbanks, AK died on Jan 7, 2006 when the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter she was flying crashed near Tal Afar, Iraq in support of 101st Airborne Division operations near the Syrian border. She grew up in Ephrata, WA where she graduated from high school and was the student body president. She attended Washington State University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion and Apparel in 2002. While at Washington State, she enlisted in the Washington Army National Guard and spent two years in the ROTC program where she won national recognition for physical fitness and leadership. She was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant and decided to pursue an aviation career. In Mar 2003, she transferred to the Alaska National Guard. In Jun 2005, she and her husband, an Army Captain, deployed to Iraq. Her father, an Army Command Sergeant Major who had just returned from a tour in Iraq, said she achieved everything she put her mind to and although she was competitive, she also had a generous spirit. Jim Zuba, who led the ROTC program, said she was a driven leader who always sought out the most difficult assignments. She was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal and the Alaska Distinguished Service Medal.

Alecia Good

Senior Airman Alecia S. Good, USAF, 23 of Broadview Heights, OH died on Feb 17, 2006 when her CH-53 Marine helicopter crashed into the Gulf of Aden during a training mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. She was a tactical radio operator/maintainer assigned to the 92nd Communications Squadron, Fairchild Air Force Base, Spokane, WA. She was aboard the helicopter to provide satellite communication back to the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. She graduated from Brecksville-Broadview Heights (OH) High School in 2001. She enlisted a month after September 11th. According to a fellow Air Force communicator who served with her in Africa, “she wanted to experience everything the men in the shop had a chance to experience. She never let gender hinder her from doing anything. She was so self-driven – she wanted to know how to do the job inside and out, no matter what it was. She was always the first to say she could do something – she never let her gender be an excuse not to do anything.” A friend in Ohio said Alecia had a smile for everyone, a great sense of humor, stood up for her friends and remained steadfast in her values.

Amy Duerksen

Private First Class Amy A. Duerksen, USA, 19 of Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD died Mar 11, 2006 in Baghdad, Iraq from a non-combat related injury. She joined the Army in April 2005 and was a Signal Systems Equipment Repairer assigned to the 4th Combat Support Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, TX. At her funeral in Temple, TX, Brigadier General William Troy, USA of the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood said she was a wonderful soldier, a good teammate and very conscientious. Her grandfather had served in the Navy in WWII and her father, Major Douglas Duerksen, USA is a chaplain at Aberdeen Proving Ground. He said his daughter was active in mission and church programs because she wanted to be part of something that was meaningful. The Associated Press reported that Rev. Shannon Soard said at Amy’s funeral that “the two themes of freedom and justice were colossal for her and that she had a kindness and gentleness for people that caused you to warm to her quickly. Warm smiles, encouraging words and affectionate hugs were the order of the day with Amy.”

Amanda Pinson

Sergeant Amanda N. Pinson, USA, 21 of St. Louis, MO died Mar 16, 2006 in Tikrit, Iraq when she was hit by shrapnel from a mortar round while she waited for a bus. She worked in intelligence and was assigned to the 101st Military Intelligence Detachment, 501st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY. After graduating from Hancock High School in 2002, she joined the Army. “She believed what she was doing was preventing another 9/11,” her father told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Mar 17, 2006). Her stepmother said "she loved being in the Army and she loved doing her job. She felt like her work saved American lives.” The teacher in the 6th grade classroom where she tutored said she took a lot of pride in developing relationships with her students and did anything that was asked of her to make the classroom a better place for learning. All of her family and friends mentioned her smile and also said she was funny, smart and athletic. She was engaged to a fellow soldier and planned to leave the Army at the end of her enlistment to attend college and then join either the FBI or the CIA.

Myla Maravillosa

Sergeant Myla L. Maravillosa, USAR, 24 of Wahiawa, HI died on Dec 24, 2005 of injuries sustained in Al Hawijah, Iraq when her humvee was attacked by enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades. She was an interrogator assigned to the Army Reserve’s 203rd Military Intelligence Battalion, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. She was born in the Philippines and immigrated with her family to Hawaii in 1997. She graduated from Leilehua High School in 1998 and joined the Army Reserve that same year. She took classes at Leeward Community College and had been accepted to Hawaii Pacific University. Her mother said Myla wanted to be an immigration officer or work for an American embassy. Described as very polite, respectful, quiet and shy, her mother said her daughter felt it was her duty to serve our country. Her memorial service in Hawaii was attended by Representative Neil Abercrombie and BG Gregory Schumacher, Commander, Military Intelligence Readiness Command. The general said she approached everything she did with a positive spirit and described her as a young woman who cared for the downtrodden and who left joy in the hearts of all she came in contact with. Her body was returned to her home village in the Philippines for burial.

Holly  Charette

Lance Corporal Holly A. Charette, USMC, 21, from Coventry, RI, died Jun 23, 2005 from wounds sustained when a suicide, vehicle borne improvised explosive device struck her vehicle in Fallujah Iraq, She was assigned to HQ Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC. She was on the way back to Camp Fallujah after conducting entry control point operations around the city. In high school she had been a fun loving cheerleader, but after 9/11 she became serious and focused, taking long runs so she could qualify to join the Marine Corps. She joined the Corps in 2001 and deployed to Iraq in early 2005. In Mar 2005, Charette was featured in a Marine Corps News story which showed her delivering mail in Ramadi and Anbar Province, making her rounds in a flak jacket, Kevlar helmet an M-16 A4 rifle. While taking her work seriously, she was also described as having charming manner and glorious smile. She is survived by a fiancé, parents and numerous other relatives.

Ramona  Valdez

Corporal Ramona M. Valdez, USMC, 20, Bronx, NY, died Jun 23, 2005 while traveling in a convoy that was attacked by a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device at Camp Fallujah, Iraq,. She was stationed at Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC. Born in the Dominican Republic, she moved to the US when she was 6. After graduating from high school and attending one year of college, she joined the Marine Corps in 2002. She was so anxious to begin her Marine career that she would show up almost every day at the recruiting station for workouts and often helped out as she waited to go to Boot Camp. After basic training she became a communications specialist. Only 8 months from the end of her enlistment, she planned to join her family in Pennsylvania, work for the highway patrol and enroll in college. At the time of her death she was engaged to a fellow Marine who had already served two tours in Iraq. She is also survived by her mother, sister and grandmother.

Deborah Klecker

Deborah Dawn Klecker, Civilian, 51 , died after a roadside bomb exploded Jun 27,2005 near her Humvee east of Baghdad. She had been working in Iraq for about 3 months as an international police liaison officer. After receiving training at Ft. Bliss, Texas she was assigned to mentor and advise Iraqi police officers who had completed their initial training. A retired, 19-year veteran of the Oregon police where she had served as a deputy sheriff with assignments in patrol, criminal investigations and as an instructor. She also was a mentor and adviser to recruits. In 2001 the governor appointed her to the board of directors for the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. A fellow Salem police officer said she was determined to do well in whatever task was at hand. "If she wanted to get to the top of the mountain, she was going to get to the top of the mountain," he said. Outside work, she was active in the Oregon Games for the Physically Limited. She is survived by her parents.

Tricia  Jameson

Staff Sergeant Tricia L. Jameson, Army National Guard, 34, of Omaha, Nebraska, died on Jul 14, 2005 in Trabil in western Iraq after being in country only two weeks. Assigned to the 313th Medical Company, Army National Guard, Lincoln, Nebraska, she was a health care specialist and commander of a Humvee ambulance. She had volunteered for the Iraq assignment as a replacement and was killed when a secondary improvised explosive device detonated near her location as she moved to assist wounded Marines. As a civilian, she was employed as a health care specialist at the Nebraska National Guard air base clinic at Camp Ashland in Lincoln. Her friends said she loved music, fun and liked to talk a lot. She was also remembered as a professional soldier and someone who pushed herself to do the best she could from being a medic to skiing. She is survived by her fiancé, mother, brother and a number of other relatives.

LaVena Johnson

Private LaVena L. Johnson, USA, 19, of Florissant MO, died Jul 19, 2005 in Balad, Iraq of non-combat related injuries. She was assigned to the Army's 129th Corps Support Battalion, Ft. Campbell, KY. While a senior in high school, she decided to join the Army because she wanted to travel and was not quite ready to start college. Her principal said she was a special young lady who was willing to get out into society and make things happen. Her younger sister said she loved to tell upbeat stories and jokes. She is survived by her parents and four siblings.

Toccara Green

Specialist Toccara R. Green, USA, 23, of Rosedale, MD., died on Aug. 14, 2005, in Al Asad, Iraq when multiple improvised explosive devices detonated near her unit during convoy operations. She was assigned the Army's 57th Transportation Company, 548th Corps Support Battalion, Fort Drum, N.Y. This was her second tour in Iraq. She had been in JROTC unit at her Baltimore high school. She attended Norfolk State College for awhile and then worked for a medical insurance firm. She liked to roller skate, hang out with friends and spend time with her dad. She is survived by her father, who is a Baltimore police officer, and her brother, a Marine.

Linda Brown Villar

Linda Joyce Brown Villar, Civilian, 41 of Franklinton, LA, died Jun 3, 2005 in Baghdad, Iraq from injuries sustained when a mortar struck her forward operating base. She was a civilian logistics management specialist who worked for the Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command at Ft. Stewart, GA. At her death, she was Acting Chief of the Third Infantry Division Logistics Support Element at Camp Liberty, Iraq. She also had worked for the US Army Soldier Systems Center in Natick, MA from 1989-2002, working her way up from secretary to Human Research Program Coordinator. Described as soft spoken and warm, with a persuasive smile, she was married with an 11 year old daughter.

Laura  Walker

First Lieutenant Laura M. Walker, USA, 24, of Texas died on Aug 18, 2005 in Kandahar, Afghanistan when an improvised explosive device detonated underneath the humvee she was in during ground assault convoy operations. She is a 2003 graduate of West Point and was assigned to the 864th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy), 555th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (Provisional), Fort Lewis, Washington. Deployed with her unit to Afghanistan, she completed a 15 month tour as a platoon leader. She also served as the Public Affairs Officer for Task Force Pacemaker. She came from a distinguished Army family: a grandfather, two uncles, her father and brother are also West Point graduates and her younger brother was attending the Academy at the time of her death. She was a strong person, physically and mentally, who valued family and friends. She loved music, had a gifted voice and was an accomplished and prolific writer. She was buried at West Point.

Regina Clark

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class (SCW/SW) Regina R. Clark, USNR, 43, from Centralia, WA was killed on Jun 23, 2005 in a convoy that was attacked by a vehicle borne improvised explosive device in Fallujah, Iraq. She was a culinary specialist deployed with Naval Construction Region Detachment 30, Port Hueneme, CA, and was temporarily assigned to II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward). A drilling reservist on her second mobilization since 2003, she became the Navy's first female combat-related casualty in Iraq. In early June, Clark had volunteered to work as a sentry at an entry control point in Fallujah with Marines from the II Marine Expeditionary Force. Clark had been recommended for the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal for her work at the checkpoints. Despite coming from a non-construction job specialty, she became Seabee combat warfare qualified which meant she could actively participate in the defense of the unit. Always positive and wanting to help, she was also described as quite a character with a ready smile. I n civilian life, she worked for the Cedar Creek Corrections Center in Littlerock, WA. She is survived by her mother and an 18 year old son.

SGT Leigh Hester

23 year old, SGT Leigh Ann Hester is the first woman to be awarded the Silver Star for offensive action and the first woman to earn the medal for valor since World War II.

 
 

4/11/2008
Women and Policitcal Leadership Research Conferenc
2/7/2008
Tracy Sugarman at Library of Congress

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