United States Army Officer. While serving as a Major and helicopter pilot during the Persian Gulf War of 1991, she was the first woman United States Army combat commander to fly into battle. After graduating from River Dell High School, in Oradell, New Jersey, she went to Dickinson College, where she graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. She also took ROTC in college, and upon her graduation, was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. Entering the Army, she learned to fly helicopters, and by 1991, she was commanding Company B of the Second Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, 18th Aviation Brigade, a CH-47D Chinook helicopter company. When the Gulf War broke out, she was deployed to Saudi Arabia. Her unit was tasked to fly fuel and ammunition to the rapidly advancing 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions, often dropping the fuel and ammunition supplies ahead of the advancing friendly forces, deep into enemy territory. She and her crew were killed when their helicopter flew into an unlighted microwave relay tower in bad weather at night, while returning to their base in Saudi Arabia. In 1992, she was inducted into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame.
United States Army Officer. While serving as a Major and helicopter pilot during the Persian Gulf War of 1991, she was the first woman United States Army combat commander to fly into battle. After graduating from River Dell High School, in Oradell, New Jersey, she went to Dickinson College, where she graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. She also took ROTC in college, and upon her graduation, was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. Entering the Army, she learned to fly helicopters, and by 1991, she was commanding Company B of the Second Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, 18th Aviation Brigade, a CH-47D Chinook helicopter company. When the Gulf War broke out, she was deployed to Saudi Arabia. Her unit was tasked to fly fuel and ammunition to the rapidly advancing 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions, often dropping the fuel and ammunition supplies ahead of the advancing friendly forces, deep into enemy territory. She and her crew were killed when their helicopter flew into an unlighted microwave relay tower in bad weather at night, while returning to their base in Saudi Arabia. In 1992, she was inducted into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame.
Bio by: Kit and Morgan Benson
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