Casualties of War and Home

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It’s not about a getting a day off work. It’s not about a cookout. There’s a deeper meaning to Memorial Day. Often confused with Veterans’ Day and even Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day is the day we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives. Death knows no gender. A woman serving her country has to survive and face many battles. Many battles.

History lists most women in the military as secretaries, control tower operators, cooks, drivers, mechanics, nurses, spies, and more. These brave women were everywhere including dangerous zones in Europe, North Africa, Southeast Asia, and the South Pacific.

But we all know, they did so much more. Over seven thousand North Carolina women served in World War II. From 1943-1944, thirty-eight WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) members were killed in action. At that time they were not given the honor of a military recognition. These women’s bodies were sent home at their family’s expense. Recognition of these women’s service came almost 35 years later.

Conducting research to find specific records of war casualties that are up to date and by state proved to be difficult. I was thankful to find an article titled, “GRIM TOLL OF MILITARY WOMEN KILLED IN WAR” in order to share the following list of female soldiers who lost their lives as they served in the United States military.

“The following list of the names of deployed military women killed since 9/11, updated on April 8, 2019, should be viewed with sober reflection and gratitude for the courageous women who gave their lives in service to America. Unless otherwise indicated, all servicewomen listed served in the Army:

Afghanistan:

  1. Marine Sgt. Jeannette L. Winters, 25, KC-130 crash in Pakistan mountains, Jan. 9, 2002.
  2. AF Staff Sgt. Anissa Shero, 31, loadmaster, MC-130H, crash on takeoff of Special Operations mission, June 12, 2002.
  3. AF 1st Lt. Tamara Archuleta, 23, co-pilot Pave Hawk helicopter, crashed while picking up two injured Afghan children, Mar. 23, 2003.
  4. Sgt. Maj. Barbaralien Banks, 41, Chinook crash, Apr. 6, married, one son, 19, Apr. 6, 2005.
  5. Spec. Chrystal Stout, 23, Chinook crash, Apr. 6, 2005.
  6. 1st Lt. Laura M. Walker, 24, IED attack on Humvee, Aug. 18, 2005.
  7. Sgt. Wakkuna A. Jackson, 21, IED attack on convoy vehicle, Aug. 19, 2006.
  8. Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Merideth L. Howard, 52, suicide car bomb attack on Humvee, Sept. 8, 2006.
  9. Spc. Ciara Durkin, 30, gunshot wound, investigation in progress, Sept. 26, 2007.
  10. Sgt. Simone Robinson, 21, IED attack in Kabul on Feb. 28, single mother of two year-old daughter, Mar. 1, 2009.
  11. Navy Lt. Florence B. Choe, 35, killed by Afghan soldier while running at Camp Shaheen, Mazar-e-Sharif, 3 year-old daughter, March 27, 2009.
  12. Air Force Lt. Roslyn L. Schulte, 25, IED hit on vehicle near Kabul, May 20, 2009.
  13. Air Force Senior Airman Ashton L.M. Goodman, 21, IED hit on vehicle near Bagram AFB, May 26, 2009.
  14. Staff Sgt. Tara J. Smith, 33, non-combat related incident under investigation, mother of two boys, 8 and 6, August 4, 2009.
  15. Sgt. Eduviges G. Wolf, 24, RPG attack on vehicle, wife and mother of two girls, ages 3 and 1, October 22, 2009.
  16. Pfc. Barbara Vieyra, 22, IED, RPG attack near Kunar province, Mother of a little girl, Evelyn, Sept. 18, 2010.
  17. Pfc. Jaysine P.S. Petree, 19, IED attack on vehicle traveling  between Ghanzi and Bagram Airfield, Sept. 24, 2010.
  18. Staff Sgt. Aracely Gonzalez O’Malley, 31, injuries in non-combat incident at Mazar-e Sharif, Oct.12, 2010.
  19. Lt. Col. Gwendolyn A. Locht, 46, Evacuated from Afghanistan with non-combat illness in May, died Nov. 16,2010.
  20. Sgt. Zainah C. Creamer, 28, IED attack on unit, Jan. 12, 2011.
  21. Pfc. Renee Sinkler, 23, RPG attack while in turret of MRAP vehicle in convoy, Jan. 19, 2011.
  22. Sgt. Linda L. Pierre, 28, Suicide bomb attack by Afghan soldier near FOB Gamberi, April 16, 2011.
  23. Staff Sgt. Cynthia R. Taylor, 39, Suicide bomb attack near FOB Gamberi, April 16, 2011.
  24. Master Sgt. Tara R. Brown, 33, Attack by Afghan pilot under training at Kabul Airport, April 27, 2011.
  25. Spec. Devin Snyder, 20, IED on road, June 4, 2011.
  26. 1st Lt. Ashley White, 24, IED attack on assault force with which she was assigned as part of a cultural support team, Oct. 22, 2011.  
  27. PFC Sarina Butcher, 19, IED attack in Paktia Province, Nov. 1, 2011.
  28. Spc. Mikayla Bragg, 21, suicide in guard post in Khowst Province, Afgthanistan, Dec. 20, 2011.
  29. Spec. Erica Alecksen, 21, IED attack on vehicle, eastern Afghanistan, July 8, 2012.
  30. Spec. Krystal M. Fitts, 26, indirect fire while serving on a Female Engagement Team, July 17, 2012.
  31. Pfc. Patricia L. Horne, 20, cause of death in Bagram not reported, August 24, 2012.
  32. CWO Thalia Ramirez, helicopter crash in Logar province, Sept. 5, 2012.
  33. Sgt. Donna Johnson, 29, suicide bomber attack, mourned by spouse Tracy, Oct. 1, 2012.
  34. Sgt. Camella M. Steedley, USMC, 31, mother of four young children, cause of death under investigation, Oct. 3, 2012.
  35. Spc. Brittany B. Gordon, 24, attack by suicide bomber in Zabul province, Oct. 13, 2012.
  36. Capt. Sara M. Knutson, 27, UH-60 helicopter crash near Kandahar, Mar. 11, 2013.
  37. AF Capt. Victoria Pinckney, 27, mother of 7 month-old son, crash of KC-135 tanker refueling plane in mountains of Kyrgyzstan, May 3, 2013.
  38. Maj. Jaimie Leonard, 39, attack by person wearing ANA uniform, southwest of Kabul, June 8, 2013.
  39. Spc. Ember Alt, 21, enemy attack near Bagram AFB, June 18, 2013.
  40. Spc. Hilda I. Clayton, 22, explosion while training with Afghan troops, non-combat mission, July 4, 2013.
  41. Spc. Caryn E. Nouv, 29, mother of two young children, IED attack, Ghazni Province, Afghanistan, July 27, 2013.
  42. Capt. Jennifer M. Moreno, 25, IED ambush while accompanying Rangers as nurse in Zhari District, October 6, 2013.
  43. AF Airman 1st Cl Kcey E. Ruiz, 21, in crash of C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, Jalalabad Airfield, Oct. 2, 1015.
  44. AF Maj. Phyllis J. Pelky, 45, in crash of British helicopter at Camp Resolute Support, Kabul, wife and mother of 2 grown sons, Oct. 11, 2015.
  45. AF Maj. Adrianna Vorderbruggen, Dec. 21, 2015, suicide bomb attack near Bagram AFB, mourned by spouse Heather and son, age 4.
  46. Sgt. Holli Bolinski, March 7, 2019, vehicle accident, survived by husband and five children.

Iraq:

  1. Pfc. Lori Ann Piestewa, 23, captured, died in captivity, Mar. 23, 2003, two children, 4 and 3, Mar. 23, 2003.
  2. Sgt. Melissa Valles, 26, non-combat gunshot wound to abdomen, cause unknown, July 10, 2003.
  3. Spc. Alyssa Renee Peterson, 27, gunshot wound to head, cause unknown, Sept. 15, 2003.
  4. Pfc. Analaura Esparza Gutierrez, 21, RPG attack on supply vehicle, Oct. 1, 2003.
  5. Spc. Tamarra J. Ramos,24, non-combat injuries, armor medical company, Oct. 1, 2003.
  6. Pfc. Rachel Bosveld, 19, MP, attack on Baghdad police station, Oct. 26, 2003.
  7. Pfc. Karina Sotelo Lau,20, Chinook crash, under fire, Nov. 2, 2003.
  8. Spc. Frances M. Vega, 20, Chinook crash, under fire, Nov. 2, 2003.
  9. Chief Warrant Officer Sharon T. Swartworth, 43, CWO, JAG Corps, Blackhawk downed under fire, Nov. 7, 2003.
  10. Sgt. Linda C. Jiminez, injuries following a fall in Baghdad, Nov. 8, 2003.
  11. Staff Sgt. Kimberley Voelz, 27, explosive ordnance disposal expert, bomb exploded, died in soldier husband’s arms, Dec. 14, 2003.
  12. Capt. Kimberly Hampton, 27, helicopter pilot, downed under fire, Jan. 4, 2004.
  13. Sgt. Keicia M. Hines, 27, MP, struck by vehicle, Jan. 14, 2004
  14. Pfc. Holly Jeanne McGeogh, 19, vehicle hit by IED, Jan. 31, 2004.
  15. Pfc. Nichole M. Frye, 19, Civil Affairs Reservist, vehicle hit by IED, Feb. 16, 2004.
  16. Capt. Gussie Jones, 41,non-combat death (surgical nurse, possible heart attack), Mar. 7, 2004.
  17. Spc. Tyanna Avery-Felder, 22, shrapnel wounds, Apr. 4, 2004.
  18. Spc. Michelle Witmer, 20, Wisconsin NG MP, killed by small arms attack (one of three sisters in the Army), Apr. 9, 2004.
  19. Spc. Isela Rubalcava, 25, hit by mortar round to Stryker brigade, May 8, 2004.
  20. Pfc. Leslie D. Jackson, 18,vehicle hit by IED, May 20, 2004.
  21. Pfc. Melissa J. Hobart, 22, collapsed while on guard duty, mother of 3 year-old, June 6, 2004.
  22. Spc. Julie R. Hickey, 20, Civil Affairs Reservist, died in Germany after complications from non-combat related illness, July 4, 2004.
  23. Sgt. Linda Terango-Griess, Ordnance Company Reservist, 33, vehicle hit by IED, July 11, 2004.
  24. Sgt. Tatjana Reed, 34, vehicle hit by IED, July 22, 2004.
  25. Sgt. Shawna L. Morrison, 26, IL NG, 26, hit by shrapnel when barracks mortared, Sept. 5, 2004.
  26. Spc. Jessica L. Cawvey, 21, vehicle hit by mortar, single mother of 6 year-old, Oct. 6, 2004.
  27. Sgt. Pamela Osbourne, 38, three children, ages 9 t0 19, Oct. 11, 2004.
  28. Sgt. Cari Anne Gasiewicz, 28, convoy vehicle hit by grenade, Dec. 4, 2004.
  29. Sgt. Tina S. Time, 22, vehicle accident, Dec. 13, 2004.
  30. Sgt. Jessica M. Housby, 23, IL NG, hit by IED near truck convoy, Feb. 9, 2005.
  31. 31. Spc. Katrina L. Bell-Johnson, 32, truck overturned, cause unknown, mother of 1 year-old, Feb. 16, 2005.
  32. Spc. Adrianna Salem, 21, vehicle rolled over, unknown cause, Feb. 21, 2005.
  33. Pfc. Sam W. Huff, 18, IED attack on Humvee, April 18, 2005.
  34. Spc. Aleina Ramirez Gonzales, 33, Puerto Rico, mortar attack on forward operating base, Apr. 29, 2005.
  35. Spc. Lizbeth Robles, 31, vehicle accident, Mar. 1, 2005.
  36. Spc. Carrie L. French, 19, bomb hit on convoy, June 5, 2005
  37. Marine Lance Cpl. Holly Charette, 21, attack on truck convoy in Fallujah, June 23, 2005.
  38. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Regina Clark, 43, 1 18 year-old son, Fallujah attack on truck convoy, June 23, 2005.
  39. Marine Cpl. Ramona Valdez, 20, Fallujah attack on truck convoy, June 23, 2005.
  40. Staff Sgt. Tricia L. Jameson, 34, medical specialist, Army NG, IED explosion while responding to a casualty incident, July 14, 2005.
  41. Pfc. LaVena L. Johnson, 19, non-combat related injuries, July 19, 2005.
  42. Spec. Toccara Green, 23, IED explosion, Aug. 14, 2005
  43. Airman 1st Class Elizabeth N. Jacobson, 21, IED explosion, Sept. 28, 2005.
  44. 1st Lt. Debra A. Banaszak, 35, non-combat related injuries, Oct. 28, 2005.
  45. Sgt. Julia V. Atkins, 22,IED attack near Humvee, Dec. 10, 2005.
  46. Sgt. Regina C. Reali, 25, IED attack, Dec. 23, 2005.
  47. Sgt. Myla L. Maravillosa, 24, RPG attack on Humvee, Dec. 24, 2005.
  48. 1st Lt. Jaime L. Campbell, 25, helicopter crash, Jan. 7, 2006
  49. AF Senior Airman Alecia S. Good, 28, Gulf of Aden helicopter collision, Feb. 17, 2006.
  50. Pvt. First Class Tina M. Priest, 20, gunshot wound to the chest, unknown cause, Mar. 1, 2006.
  51. Pfc. Amy Duerksen, 19, of injuries suffered in Iraq, Mar. 11, 2006.
  52. Spc. Amanda Pinson, 21, mortar attack while waiting for bus transport, Mar. 16, 2006.
  53. Marine Lance Cpl. Juana Navarro Arellano, 24, of wounds received in Iraq, April 8 , 2006.
  54. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jaime S. Jaenke, 29, Humvee struck by IED, Iraq,  mother of 9 year old girl June 5, 2006.
  55. Pfc. Hannah L. Gunterman, 20, mother of a 2 year-old boy, killed by a fellow soldier in a vehicle accident in Taji, Iraq, Sept. 4, 2006.
  56. 2nd Lt. J. T. Perez, 23, IED explosion near Humvee in Al Kifl, Iraq, Sept. 12, 2006.
  57. Sgt. Jennifer M. Hartman, 21, suicide bomber attack on West Baghdad Substation, Sept. 14, 2006.
  58. 1st Lt. Ashley (Henderson) Huff, 23, suicide attack on convoy, near her Humvee, Sept. 19, 2006.
  59. Sgt. Jeannette T. Dunn, 44, of non-combat related injuries, Nov. 26, 2006.
  60. Maj. Megan McClung, USMC, 34, IED attack near Ramadi in the Anbar province, Iraq, Dec. 6, 2006
  61. Maj. Gloria D. Davis, 47, gunshot wound in a non-combat related incident, Dec. 12, 2006.
  62. Senior Airman Elizabeth A. Loncki, 23, ordnance disposal team targeted by car bomb, Jan. 7, 2007.
  63. Command Sgt. Maj. Marilyn L. Gabbard, 46, Black Hawk helicopter crash near Baghdad, Jan. 20, 2007.
  64. Spc. Carla J. Stewart, 37, transportation convoy vehicle rollover, Jan. 30, 2007.
  65. Marine Cpl. Jennifer M. Parcell, 20, female suicide bomber attack at checkpoint in Anbar province, Iraq, Feb. 7, 2007.
  66. Marine Capt. Jennifer J. Harris, 28, helicopter crash due to enemy action in Anbar province, Iraq, Feb. 7, 2007.
  67. Sgt. Ashly L. Moyer, 21, IED detonation near her MP vehicle, Mar. 3, 2007.
  68. Pfc. Katie M. Soenksen, 19, IED detonation near her MP vehicle, May 2, 200.7
  69. Spc. Karen Clifton, 22, RPG attack on her vehicle, near Baghdad, June 21, 2007.
  70. Sgt. Trista L. Moretti, 27, indirect fire during an insurgent attack, June 25, 2007.
  71. Spec. Michelle R. Ring, 24, mother of two young boys, mortar fire attack in Baghdad, July 5, 2007.
  72. Capt. Maria I. Ortiz, 40, indirect fire attack in Baghdad, July 10, 2007.
  73. Staff Sgt. Alicia A. Birchett, 29, non-combat related accident in Baghdad, mother of 3 young boys, Aug. 9, 2007.
  74. Sgt. Princess C. Samuels, 22, indirect fire near Taji, Iraq, Aug. 15, 2007.
  75. Spc. Zandra T. Worthy-Walker, 28, indirect fire near Taji, Iraq, Aug. 15, 2007.
  76. Spc. Kamisha J. Block, 20, non-combat “friendly fire” incident, MP battalion in Iraq, Aug. 16, 2007.
  77. Spc. Marisol Heredia, 19, injuries suffered from a non-combat related incident, July 18 in Baghdad, Sept. 7, 2007.
  78. Capt. (Dr.) Roselle M. Hoffmaster, 32, Kirkuk, Iraq, non-combat related incident under investigation, Sept. 20, 2007.
  79. Spc. Rachel L. Hugo, 24, IED and small arms attack on MP unit, Bayji, Iraq, Oct. 5, 2007.
  80. Staff Sgt. Lillian Clamens, 35, RPG attack near Baghdad, mother of 3 young children, Oct. 10, 2007.
  81. 2nd Lt. Tracy L. Alger, 30, IED attack in Shubayshen, Iraq, Nov. 1, 2007, while serving in a forward support company (FSC) attached to the 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment.  (All soldiers in the war are “in harm’s way,” but Direct Ground Combat-collocated support units at the battalion level are required by DoD regulation to be all male.)
  82. Staff Sgt. Carletta S. Davis, 34, IED attack in Tal Al-Dahab, Iraq, mother of three sons, Nov. 5. 2007.
  83. Spc. Keisha M. Morgan, 25, non-combat related cause under investigation, Feb. 22, 2008.
  84. Marine Lance Cpl. Casey Casanova, 22, IED attack in Iraq, May 2, 2008.
  85. Spc. Mary J. Jaenichen, 20, non-combat related injury that is under investigation, May 9, 2008.
  86. Cpl. Jessica A. Ellis, 24, IED attack on her medical vehicle, near Baghdad, Iraq, May 11, 2008.
  87. AF Tech Sgt. Jackie L. Larsen, 37, non-combat related natural causes following non-hostile action, Balad AFB, July 17, 2008.
  88. Pfc. Jennifer L.  Cole, 34, non-combat related incident, under investigation, Bayji, Iraq, Aug. 2, 2008.
  89. Lance Cpl. Stacy Ann Dryden, 22, non-combat related incident under investigation, al-Asad Air Base, Iraq, Oct. 19, 2008.
  90. Spc. Jessica Y. Sarandrea, 22, mortar fire on forward operating base near Mosul, Mar. 3, 2009
  91. Staff Sgt. Army C. Tirador, 29, non-combat incident near Kirkush, Nov. 4, 2009.
  92. Pfc. Adriana Alvarez, 20, MP, injuries sustained supporting combat operations, Feb. 20, 2010.
  93. CWO2 Billie Jean Grinder, 25, hard helicopter landing, Feb. 21, 2010.
  94. Spc. Lakeshia M. Bailey, 23, vehicle rollover in Al Kut, Iraq, Mar. 8, 2010.
  95. Pfc. Erin L. McLyman, 26, mortar attack on base, Balad, Iraq, Mar. 13, 2010.
  96. Spc. Morganne M. McBeth, 19, homicide by fellow soldier with a knife, Khan Al Baghdadi, Iraq, July 2, 2010.
  97. Spc. Faith R. Hinkley, 23, RPG attack on unit in Iraq, Aug. 7, 2010.
  98. Navy Boatswain Mate Seaman Yeshabel Villot-Carrasco, 23, suicide aboard the destroyer USS James E. Williams on her first deployment as part of OIF, Red Sea, June 19, 2013.

Kuwait:

  1. Reserve Sgt. Denise Lannaman, 46, non-combat-related incident at Camp Arifjan, Oct. 1, 2006.
  2. Pfc. Cwislyn K. Walter, 19, non-combat related, near Kuwait City, Feb. 19, 2009.
  3. Navy Operations Spec. 2nd Class Dominique D. Cruz, 26, Jan. 19, Gulf of Oman.
  4. Staff Sgt. Jessica Wing, 42, non-combat cause of death in Kuwait under investigation, Aug. 27, 2012.

Syria:

  1. Navy Chief Cryptological Technician Shannon M. Kent, 35, mother of two young children, suicide bomb attack, Jan. 16, 2019.”

This is not a complete list, I’m sure. Maybe we shouldn’t say, “Happy Memorial Day.”  Let’s start saying “In honor of Memorial Day,” instead. Let us reflect deeply upon the women who did not just talk the talk. They walked the walk…right into danger so you and I can stand up for equality and rights.

Let’s honor them with our actions everyday. Attend county commission meetings. Run for office. Join a school’s PTA. Volunteer at the Veterans Administration. Sign a petition.  Send an email. Make a phone call. Better yet, visit a legislator. Become an informed voter and educator of others. Run a voter registration drive. Volunteer for a candidate’s campaign and most of all VOTE!

And pass these responsibilities on to the next generation. It’s our duty.

“Thank you to all the female warrior veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. You are honored and never forgotten.” says veteran Diana Hurtado

Please visit Memorial Day History and Etiquette. This incredible resource was shared with me from Mrs. Hurtado who is a Raleigh mother and educator who proudly served in the United States Army and continues to give back.

“Here’s to strong women. May we know them, May we be them, May we raise them.”

NaShonda Cooke

 

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