Monica Lin Brown
Encyclopedia
Monica Lin Brown is a medic
in the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division who became the first woman in Afghanistan
and only the second woman since World War II
to receive the Silver Star
, the United States
' third-highest medal
for valor
.
After a roadside bomb detonated near a convoy of Humvees in the eastern Paktia Province
of Afghanistan
, Brown saved the lives of fellow soldiers in April 2007 by running through insurgent
gunfire using her body to shield wounded soldiers while mortar
rounds fell nearby.
Because females are not allowed in direct action (DA) operations, Brown was pulled back to the base at Khost
shortly after the incident.
She was presented with the Silver Star by Vice President
Dick Cheney
in a ceremony on March 21, 2008.
68W
68W is the Military Occupational Specialty for the United States Army's healthcare specialist, also known as the combat medic...
in the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division who became the first woman in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
and only the second woman since World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
to receive the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
, the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
' third-highest medal
Medal
A medal, or medallion, is generally a circular object that has been sculpted, molded, cast, struck, stamped, or some way rendered with an insignia, portrait, or other artistic rendering. A medal may be awarded to a person or organization as a form of recognition for athletic, military, scientific,...
for valor
Courage
Courage is the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation...
.
After a roadside bomb detonated near a convoy of Humvees in the eastern Paktia Province
Paktia Province
Paktia , is one of the thirty-four provinces of Afghanistan, in the east of the country. Its capital is Gardez. The population is predominantly Pashtun.- History:...
of Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, Brown saved the lives of fellow soldiers in April 2007 by running through insurgent
Taliban insurgency
The Taliban insurgency took root shortly after the group's fall from power following the 2001 war in Afghanistan. The Taliban continue to attack Afghan, U.S., and other ISAF troops and many terrorist incidents attributable to them have been registered. The war has also spread over the southern and...
gunfire using her body to shield wounded soldiers while mortar
Mortar (weapon)
A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....
rounds fell nearby.
Because females are not allowed in direct action (DA) operations, Brown was pulled back to the base at Khost
Khost
Khost or Khowst is a city in eastern Afghanistan. It is the capital of Khost province, which is a mountainous region near Afghanistan's border with Pakistan...
shortly after the incident.
She was presented with the Silver Star by Vice President
Vice president
A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
Dick Cheney
Dick Cheney
Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney served as the 46th Vice President of the United States , under George W. Bush....
in a ceremony on March 21, 2008.
Decorations and Badges
| Silver Star Silver Star The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy.... |
|
| Army Commendation Medal | |
| Army Achievement Medal | |
| National Defense Service Medal National Defense Service Medal The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower... |
|
| Afghanistan Campaign Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal The Afghanistan Campaign Medal is a military award of the United States military which was created by Executive Order 13363 of President George W. Bush on November 29, 2004. The Afghanistan Campaign Medal was designed by the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry.... |
|
| Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is a military award of the United States military which was created by Executive Order 13289 of President George W. Bush on March 12, 2003... |
|
| Army Overseas Service Medal | |
| NCO Professional Development Ribbon | |
| Army Service Ribbon Army Service Ribbon The Army Service Ribbon is a military decoration of the United States Army that was established by the Secretary of the Army on 10 April 1981 as announced in Department of the Army General Order 15, dated 10 October 1990.... |
|
| Presidential Unit Citation | |
| Meritorious Unit Commendation Meritorious Unit Commendation The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions.... (with bronze oak leaf cluster) |
|
| Army Superior Unit Award | |
| NATO Medal (with ISAF International Security Assistance Force The International Security Assistance Force is a NATO-led security mission in Afghanistan established by the United Nations Security Council on 20 December 2001 by Resolution 1386 as envisaged by the Bonn Agreement... clasp) |
|
| Combat Action Badge Combat Action Badge The Combat Action Badge is a military badge worn in the U.S. Army. The emblem features both an M9 bayonet and M67 grenade. The Combat Action Badge may be awarded to any soldier after the date of September 18, 2001 performing duties in an area where hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay is... |
|
| Basic Parachutist Badge | |
| Combat Medical Badge Combat Medical Badge The Combat Medical Badge is an award of the United States Army which was first created in January 1945. The badge is awarded to any member of the Army Medical Department, at the rank of Colonel or below, who are assigned or attached to a medical unit which provides medical support to a ground... |
|
| German Parachutist Badge Parachutist Badge (Germany) The German Armed Forces Parachutist Badge is the badge awarded to and worn by qualified parachutists of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany... in bronze |
|
External links
- www.thearmyexperience.com — "From high-school cheerleader to Silver Star recipient, Sergeant Monica Brown put her medical training to work and Duty above herself in Afghanistan." Portrait by the army (video presentation).