Woman Spc to recieve Silver Star

[Edward Tinker]

Sounds like she deserves this Silver Star

Woman Earns Silver Star in Afghanistan
Associated Press | March 10, 2008
CAMP SALERNO, Afghanistan - A 19-year-old Army medic from Texas is set to become the first woman in Afghanistan -- and only the second female Soldier since World War II -- to receive the Silver Star, the nation's third-highest medal for valor.

Army Spc. Monica Lin Brown saved the lives of fellow Soldiers after a roadside bomb tore through a convoy of Humvees in the eastern Paktia province in April 2007, the military said.

After the explosion, which wounded five Soldiers in her unit, Brown ran through enemy gunfire and used her body to shield wounded comrades as mortars fell less than 100 yards away, the military said.

"I did not really think about anything except for getting the guys to a safer location and getting them taken care of and getting them out of there," Brown told The Associated Press during a March 8 interview at a U.S. base in the eastern province of Khost.

Brown, of Lake Jackson, Texas, is scheduled to receive the Silver Star later this month. She was part of a four-vehicle convoy patrolling near Jani Kheil in the eastern province of Paktia on April 25, 2007, when a bomb struck one of the Humvees.

"We stopped the convoy. I opened up my door and grabbed my aid bag," Brown said.

She started running toward the burning vehicle as insurgents opened fire. All five wounded Soldiers had scrambled out.

"I assessed the patients to see how bad they were. We tried to move them to a safer location because we were still receiving incoming fire," Brown said.

Pentagon policy prohibits women from serving in front-line combat roles - in the infantry, armor or artillery, for example. But the nature of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, with no real front lines, has seen women Soldiers take part in close-quarters combat more than previous conflicts.

Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester, of Nashville, Tenn., received the Silver Star in 2005 for gallantry during an insurgent ambush on a convoy in Iraq. Two men from her unit, the 617th Military Police Company of Richmond, Ky., also received the Silver Star for their roles in the same action.

Four Army nurses in World War II were the first women to receive the Silver Star, though three nurses serving in World War I were awarded the medal posthumously last year, according to the Army's Web site.

Brown, of the 4th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, said ammunition going off inside the burning Humvee was sending shrapnel in all directions. She said they were sitting in a dangerous spot.

"So we dragged them for 100 or 200 meters, got them away from the Humvee a little bit," she said. "I was in a kind of a robot-mode, did not think about much but getting the guys taken care of."

For Brown, who knew all five wounded Soldiers, it became a race to get them all to a safer location. Eventually, they moved the wounded some 500 yards away and treated them on site before putting them on a helicopter for evacuation.

"I did not really have time to be scared," Brown said. "Running back to the vehicle, I was nervous (since) I did not know how badly the guys were injured. That was scary."

The military said Brown's "bravery, unselfish actions and medical aid rendered under fire saved the lives of her comrades and represents the finest traditions of heroism in combat."

[John Sabato]

Courage under fire isn't limited to just men... Only in America do we find young people of this high caliber... that's why we can't be beaten unless the liberal politicians force it on us.

[lugerholsterrepair]

Throughout Military history Medics have been some of the bravest Soldiers on the planet. Selfless, dedicated..willing to risk their own lives to save others.
Brings back memories of my Platoon Medics in combat. They would do things the average guy wouldn't even think of doing.
Good for Her! I applaud her service and her bravery.
Jerry Burney

[tudorbug]

Another great soldier recognized for an act of valor! Well done, SPC Brown!

David

[policeluger]

While she is the best of the best.....I stll do not care for Americam woman in front line combat.....God bless her

[lugerholsterrepair]

Howard, I totally agree. Women have no place in a line Infantry platoon. Such jobs as Medics and Fighter pilots etc. OK. It's just too down and dirty in a platoon.
The one exception I can think of is an ALL Woman platoon or Company. That way there would be no distractions from fellow men Soldiers.
I hope we don't run so short of red blooded American men that this becomes the norm...Not a good idea under any circumstances really.
Jerry Burney