In 2005, Hester was awarded the first Silver Star since WWII for her actions during an enemy ambush on her supply convoy in Iraq, making her the first woman to receive the honor for direct combat action.
Army Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester
Women continue to make strides and break down barriers. Capt. Linda Bray became the first woman to command U.S. troops in combat and Lt. Cmdr. Darlene Iskra became the first woman to command a U.S. Navy vessel.
Capt. Linda Bray,
Lt. Cmdr. Darlene Iskra
New roles were afforded women at this time, but the majority of women serving on Korea and Vietnam were nurses. Lt. Col. Graham served as a military nurse in both World War II and Korea before Vietnam. She is 1 of 8 women whose names are listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.
Lt. Col.
Annie Ruth Graham
Four nurses (2nd Lt. Ellen Ainsworth, 1st Lt. Mary Roberts, 2nd Lt. Elaine Roe, and 2nd Lt. Rita Rourke) become the first women in U.S. history to receive the Silver Star, the Army’s third-highest military decoration for valor in combat.
Ellen Ainsworth,
Mary Roberts,
Elaine Roe,
Rita Rourke
The U.S. Army Signal Corps enlisted women as bilingual French-speaking telephone operators, known as Hello Girls. These women were recognized decades later, in 1979, as veterans and were a catalyst for the passage of the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote.
"Hello Girls"
The nurse and Red Cross founder drove her medical wagon through enemy fire to tend to injured soldiers.
Clara Barton
The first woman to receive a military pension, fought alongside her husband in the Battle of Fort Washington. She was shot multiple times, and lost her husband, but kept fighting.
Margaret Corbin
Women Warriors
throughout history
Dr. Mary Edwards Walker
The only female Medal of Honor recipient (still) became the first female surgeon in the U.S. Army.
1914-1918
World War I
1861-1865
The Civil War
1775-1783
The Revolutionary War
World War II
1939-1945
Korean and Vietnam Wars
1950-1975
Gulf War, Panama, Grenada, Somalia
1980s-1990s
Global War on Terror (Iraq, Afghanistan)
Post-9/11
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Army Capt. Linda Bray is presented the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Joshua Taeckens
(The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement)
(The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement)
Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester after receiving the Silver Star.
Photo by U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jeremy D. Crisp
Army Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester
3
Deborah Sampson
She earned a full military pension for her service during the war, but since women
weren't allowed to serve, Deborah disguised herself as a man named Robert Shurtleff to be able to fight for her country.
Margaret Corbin
She earned a full military pension for her service during the war, but since women weren't allowed to serve, Deborah Sampson disguised herself as a man to fight for the country.