Women in warfare (2000–present)

2000

*September: West Side Boys, an armed group in Sierra Leone, are destroyed during Operation Barras, and subsequent operations by the Sierra Leone Army and the British Army's Royal Irish Rangers, the Parachute Regiment and the Special Air Service. The group had female fighters as well as male ones. [cite news|title=Bloody end to Sierra Leone hostage drama|publisher=BBC News|date= 10 September 2000|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/918556.stm|accessdate=2008-03-09]

2001

* Spring: Coral Wong Pietch becomes the first woman Army Judge Advocates General (JAG), and the first Asian-American woman to reach the rank of General in the United States Army. [cite web|title=APA Women's Wall of Fame Women's History Month Edition|author=IMdiversity.com|url=http://www.imdiversity.com/Villages/asian/history_heritage/Asian_American_Womens_Wall_of_Fame.asp#Pietsch|accessdate=2008-06-16]

2002

*January: Yang Seung Sook becomes the first woman general in the history of the South Korean military. [cite web
author = Lee Kim Jeong-Hee
title = The Women's News Newsletter
work=
url = http://www.womennews.co.kr/ewnews/enews25.htm
date =
accessdate =2008-06-04]
*March: Vernice Armour becomes the first African-American female combat pilot in the United States military. cite web
author = Walker, Nicole
title = Vernice Armour, 1st black female combat pilot, serves in Persian Gulf as family copes
work=Jet
url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_16_103/ai_100111398
date = April 14, 2003
accessdate = 2007-10-06] She flew the AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopter in the 2003 invasion of Iraq and eventually served two tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.cite web
title = Biography - Vernice Armour
url = http://www.vernicearmour.com/vernice-armour.htm
accessdate = 2007-10-06]
*May: Captain Philippa Tattersall becomes the first woman to earn the Royal Marines green beret. She is not allowed to serve in combat, however. [cite news |title='Long, hard struggle' for green beret|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/2017213.stm |work=BBC News |date=31 May 2002 |accessdate=2008-01-29 ]
*September 26: Three female airforce officers are appointed as airforce fighter pilots in South Korea, making them the first women to become fighter pilots in the history of the country. [cite web|author =Kyodo News International, Inc., Gale Group|title = S. Korea gets its 1st female fighter pilots|work= Asian Political News |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0WDQ/is_2002_Sept_30/ai_93437896| date = Sept 30, 2002 |accessdate = 2009-06-02]

2003

[
thumb|right|115px|PFC_Jessica Lynch, USA]
* January: 2003 US Air Force Academy sexual assault scandal emerges. [cite web|title=Report to SECAF, Air Force Inspector General Summary Report Concerning the Handling of Sexual Assault Cases at the United States Air Force Academy|url=http://www.af.mil/library/posture/usafa_report.pdf|format=pdf|date=14 September 2004|accessdate=2008-06-16]
* February 27: Serbian politician Biljana Plavšić is sentenced to 11 years in prison for war crimes. [cite web|author=Simons, Marlise|title= Bosnian Ex-Leader Sentenced To 11 Years for Her War Role|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01E5DA133CF93BA15751C0A9659C8B63|date=February 28, 2003|accessdate=2003-06-16]
* March: PFC Jessica Lynch, USA, is embroiled in a controversy over differing accounts of her capture and rescue in Iraq.cite news
url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0OyihqYfF4
title=Hearing on Tillman, Lynch Incidents: Jessica Lynch's Opening
date=2007-04-24
publisher=You Tube
accessdate=2007-05-05] [cite news
url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,956255,00.html
title=The truth about Jessica
date=15/05/2003
publisher=The Guardian
accessdate=2007-05-05] cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/1830500.stm
title=Pentagon plans propaganda war
date=2002-02-20
publisher=BBC News
accessdate=May 5
accessyear=2007] cite news
url=http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/CHO301A.html
title=War Propaganda
date=2002-02-20
author=Michel Chossudovsky
publisher=Global Research
accessdate=May 5
accessyear=2007] cite news
url=http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB177/index.htm
title=Rumsfeld's Roadmap to Propaganda
date=2006-01-26
publisher=National Security Archive
accessdate=May 5
accessyear=2007] [cite news
url=http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/12/02/1513248&mode=thread&tid=25
title=U.S. Psychological Operations: Military Uses Networks to Spread Misinformation
date=2004-02-12
publisher=Democracy Now
accessdate=May 5
accessyear=2007]
* March: Shoshana Johnson becomes the first black female prisoner of war in United States history. [cite web|author=CNN.com|title=Then & Now: Shoshana Johnson|url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/05/23/cnn25.tan.johnson/|date=June 19, 2005|accessdate=2008-06-08]
* March 23 [cite web|author =Legon, Jeordan|title =Mom, soldier and Hopi Indian: 'She fought and died valiantly'|work=Cnn.com|url=http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2003/iraq/heroes/piestewa.html| date = |accessdate =2008-06-07] : SPC Lori Piestewa, USA, is killed in action. She is the first woman soldier to be killed in action in the 2003 Iraq Conflict, [cite web|author =Davidson, Osha Gray|title=The Forgotten Soldier, The unsung herione of the Jessica Lynch ambush in Iraq
work=|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/6085435/the_forgotten_soldier/| date =June 3, 2004|accessdate =2008-06-07] and the first Native American woman to be killed in action while serving in the United States Military. [cite web|author =Associated Press|title=Ariz. Mountain Renamed After Slain Soldier, Army Spc. Lori Piestewa Was First American Indian Woman Killed Serving In U.S. Military |work=Cbsnews.com|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/11/politics/main4008307.shtml?source=related_story| date =April 11, 2008 |accessdate =2008-06-07]
* April 7: Capt Kim Campbell, USAF, gains favorable notice when she successfully pilots her aircraft back to base despite extensive damage in a combat mission. [ [http://www.usafa.af.mil/df/dfps/Programs/25EakerMyers.cfm?catname=dfps General Richard Myers speech] ] [ [http://www.nasm.si.edu/events/eventDetail.cfm?eventID=133 Smithsonian article] ]

2004

* Jill Morgenthaler, a retired U.S. Army Reserve Colonel, handles press duties for the army, including the Abu Gharib scandal. [ [http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=F2E7ACA9-3048-5C12-0040D5E59AF61432 Likely nominee chided for Abu Ghraib comment] , Josh Kraushaar, "Politico", October 30, 2007] [ [http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,FL_geneva_050104,00.html] , "Military.com"] [ [http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/olympics/bal-te.md.unit30apr30,0,1821450.story Lack of training, stress are blamed in abuse of Iraqis] , Tom Bowman, "Baltimore Sun", April 30, 2004]
* First Lieutenant Melissa Stockwell, a U.S. Army officer, becomes the first American female soldier to lose a limb in the Iraq War. [cite news
last = Stein
first = Ann
coauthors =
title = Stories of Inspiration: Melissa - Amputee, First woman soldier to lose limb in Iraq discovers new life after injury
work =
pages =
publisher = CMS.carepages.com
date =
url = http://cms.carepages.com/CarePages/en/Stories/StoriesOfInspiration/AdultIllness/Melissa.html
accessdate =2008-06-03 ]
* American Iraq veterans Kelly Dougherty and Diana Morrison co-found Iraq Veterans Against the War with other veterans. [ [http://www.libertytreefdr.org/journal.php?article_id=75 "Nothing Short of Criminal"] , Sarah Manski, Liberty Tree Journal, Volume 2, Issue 3, page 6.] [ [http://www.ivaw.org/founders Founders | Iraq Veterans Against the War ] ]
* January 2: CPT Kimberly Hampton, USA, becomes the first female military pilot to be shot down and killed by an enemy in United States history. [EDITORIAL: Sept. 11 brought a 'new normal': Status quo has been upended. The Beaufort Gazette, S.C. wire feed distributed by Knight Ridder Tribune Business News. Washington: Sep 10, 2006. pg. 1] *cite web
url=http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/15496650.htm
title="Couple felt ‘connection’ in visit to ground zero"
date=September 12, 2006
publisher="The State"
author=Jim Duplessis
accessdate=2006-12-20. Wire feed distributed by Knight Ridder Tribune Business News.] [cite web
url=http://www.writefromthefront.sc.gov/hampton.html
title=Capt. Kimberly Hampton
publisher=Write from the Front
accessdate=2006-12-20]
* April 9: SPC Michelle Witmer is killed in Baghdad. She is the first woman from the United States National Guard to be killed in action in history. [cite news|url=http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/guardandreserve/a/ng1stfemalekia.htm|author=Master Sgt. Bob Haskell|title=National Guard's First Female KIA|publisher=Army News Service, for About.com|date=April 18, 2004|accessdate=2008-06-18] Her sister was subsequently removed from action by the military, citing the risk that enemy forces might target her in a effort to harm U.S. morale. [ [http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20040428/news_1n28sisters.html Soldiers who lost sister in Iraq opt against return to war zone | The San Diego Union-Tribune ] ]
* September: Brig Gen Dana H. Born, USAF, becomes the dean of faculty at the United States Air Force Academy. She is the first woman to hold that position. [cite news|last=Williams|first=Rudy|title=AF General: Awareness Key to Improved Diversity|publisher=American Forces Press Service|date=September 27, 2005|url=http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=17199|accessdate=2008-06-18] [cite web| url =http://www.af.mil/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7839|title=BRIGADIER GENERAL DANA H. BORN|publisher=Air Force Link|date=March 2008|accessdate=2008-06-18]
* October 30: SPC Megan Ambuhl, USA, is convicted of dereliction of duty at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq in relation to detainee abuse. [ [http://www.cdi.org/news/law/abu-ghraib-ambuhl.cfm Abu Ghraib Court Martial, Ambuhl ] ] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4173051.stm BBC NEWS | Americas | Iraq prisoner abuse 'encouraged' ] ]
* October 31: S/Sgt Denise Rose, British Army, becomes the first female British soldier to die in military operations in the Iraq War. [cite news|title=First female soldier dies in Iraq|publisher=BBC NEWS, UK|Date=November 1, 2004|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3973281.stm|accessdate=2008-06-19] Her death is ruled to be a suicide by an inquest. [cite news|title=First female British soldier to die in Iraq committed suicide, inquest rules|publisher=International Herald Tribune, Europe, The Associated Press|date=November 14, 2006|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/11/14/europe/EU_GEN_Britain_Iraq_Soldiers_Death.php
accessdate=2008-06-19]
* November 12: MAJ Tammy Duckworth, USA, loses both legs when the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter she was co-piloting was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade fired by Iraqi insurgents. [* [http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=28910&archive=true ‘The pedals were gone, and so were my legs’] June 14, 2005 "Stars and Stripes"] cite web| url = http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/fgduckworth.htm| title = Franklin G. Duckworth, Captain, United States Army| accessdate = 2006-10-20| last = Camire| first = Dennis| authorlink = Dennis Camire| date = 2005-03-18| publisher = Unofficial Arlington National Cemetery Website| language = English]

2005

* SGT Leigh Ann Hester, USA, received the Silver Star for her actions in Iraq during an enemy ambush on their convoy near the town of Salman Pak. She killed at least 3 of the attacking insurgents. Hester was the first female soldier to receive the award for exceptional valor since World War II and the first woman ever to receive the silver star for close combat.cite web|url = http://www.defenselink.mil/home/dodupdate/heroes/50heroes/KY.html|title = 50 Heroes for 50 States - U.S. Department of Defense Update|accessdate = 2006-12-30|publisher = United States Department of Defense] cite web
url=http://www.army.mil/women/hester.html
title=SGT Leigh Ann Hester
author=Sergeant Sara Wood
publisher=Department of Defense
accessdate=July 12
accessyear=2007]
* Elizabeth Cosson becomes the first woman to be promoted to the rank of Brigadier in the Australian Army. [http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2006/Apr/20060427/Bio%20-%20Brigadier%20Cosson%202006.doc Elizabeth Cosson Biography on Department of Defence site] ]
* May: Janis Karpinski, USA, is demoted from Brigadier General to Colonel, although her demotion is not formally related to the abuse at Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse scandal. [cite news|title=Demotion for Abu Ghraib commander|publisher=BBC NEWS|date=May 6, 2005|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4519199.stm|accessdate=2008-06-19]
* May 3: SPC Lynndie England, USAR, pleads guilty to abusing Iraqi prisoners in Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse scandal. [cite news|title=Private England pleads guilty to abuse|publisher=TheAge.co.au, Reuters|date=May 3, 2005|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Iraq/England-pleads-guilty-to-abuse-charges/2005/05/03/1114886325617.html
accessdate=2008-06-19]
* May 16: SPC Sabrina Harman, USAR, is convicted of one count of conspiracy to maltreat detainees, four counts of maltreating detainees and one count of dereliction of duty in connection with the Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse scandal scandal. [cite news|title=Harman Convicted of Abu Ghraib Abuse|publisher=FOXnews.com|date=May 16, 2008|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,156734,00.html|accessdate=2008-07-03]
* September 28: United States Airman First Class Elizabeth Jacobson is killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. [Citeweb|title=Faces of the Fallen: U.S. service members who died in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Airman 1st Class Elizabeth N. Jacobson|author=Washington Post|url=http://projects.washingtonpost.com/fallen/dates/2005/sep/28/elizabeth-n-jacobson/|accessdate=2008-07-05] She is the first female airman to be killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. [Citenews|title=Airman killed in Iraq|author=Air Force Link|url=http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123011980|date=2005-09-30|accessdate=2008-07-05]
* December: Brig Gen Susan Y. Desjardins, USAF becomes the first female Commandant of Cadets at the United States Air Force Academy. [cite news|title=Harvard Business School Bulletin, March 2006|publisher=Harvard|date=March 2006|url=http://www.alumni.hbs.edu/bulletin/2006/march/newsmakers.html|accessdate=2008-06-19]

2006

*MAJ Tammy Duckworth, USA runs for U.S. Congress.cite news | title =Election 2006 Results: State Races, Illinois| publisher =CNN| url = http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006//pages/results/states/IL/index.html| accessdate = 2007-03-27]
* January 1: Chai Hui-chen becomes Taiwan's first female combat-status general. [citenews|title=Female general an IT whiz|publisher=Taipei Times|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2005/12/31/2003286773|date=Dec 31, 2005|accessdate=2005-06-19]
* March [cite web|url=http://www.talkingproud.us/Military062305.html|title=Keep your airspeed up, Malachowski|publisher=Talkingproud.us|date=June 23, 2005, updated June 1, 2007 and November 21, 2007|accessdate=06/19/08] : Public debut of Maj Nicole Malachowski, USAF, the first woman pilot selected to fly as part of the Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron (Thunderbirds). [cite news
url=http://www.af.mil/pressreleases/release.asp?id=123028864
title=First woman Thunderbird pilot proud to serve
author=Sara Wood
publisher=Department of Defense
accessdate=2007-07-12]
*May: Flight Lieutenant Sarah-Jayne Mulvihill becomes the first British service woman to be killed in the Iraq War. [citenews|author=Smyth, Chris|title=Women on the front line|publisher=Times Online|date=June 18, 2008|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article4164468.ece|accessdate=2008-06-25]
*May 17: Captain Nichola Goddard, (Canadian Forces Land Force Command), becomes the first Canadian woman to be killed in action since World War II, and the first Canadian female combat soldier to be killed on the front lines. [cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2006/05/17/afghanistan-cda.html|title=Canadian woman 16th soldier killed in Afghanistan|publisher=CBC News|date=April 17, 2006|accessdate=06/19/08]
* June 16: Pte Michelle Norris, British Army, saves the life of her sergeant by climbing out of a vehicle and pulling him from the turret of the Warrior Patrol Vehicle that they were in while under heavy gunfire. She is eventually awarded the Military Cross for her actions, and is the first woman to receive one. cite news
title = Big day for 5ft Army medic who won MC
first= Nigel
last= Bunyan
url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/03/22/norris22.xml
format = html
work = The Daily Telegraph
date = 2007-03-22
accessdate = 2007-03-22] [LondonGazette|issue=58183|supp=yes|notarchive=yes|startpage=17359|date=15 December 2006|accessdate=2007-11-11] [cite news
first = David
last = Wilkes
title = Heroine teenage soldier to be decorated for bravery
url = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=399779&in_page_id=1770
format =
work = Daily Mail
publisher = Associated Newspapers
id = ISSN|0307-7578
date = 2006-08-10
accessdate = 2007-03-22 ] cite news
first = Lee
last = Glendinning
title = Historic award for female private
url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/military/story/0,,2039749,00.html
work = The Guardian
publisher = Guardian Media Group
id = ISSN|0261-3077
page = 8
date = 2007-03-22
accessdate = 2007-03-22 ]
* August 12: Sgt. Maj. Keren Tendler, the first female Israeli helicopter flight mechanic, is killed in action during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict along with four other crew members. A fund is later established in her name to help other women become flight mechanics. Cite web|url=http://www.ortamerica.org/site/PageServer?pagename=don_proj_israelprojects07_tendler|title=The Keren Tendler Scholarship Fund and Memorial Garden|accessdate=2008-03-07|publisher=ORT America]
* September 8: SFC Meredith Howard, USA, is killed in action in Afganistan. At age 52, she is the oldest American female soldier to be killed in combat. [cite news|title= A Citizen Soldier: At 52, Meredith Howard was the oldest known American female killed in combat|last=Schwab|first=Matt|url=http://code3magazine.com/story3.asp|publisher=Code3magazine.com
accessdate=06/19/08]
* September 22: Aviation Cadet Saira Amin wins the Sword of Honour at The Pakistan Air Force Academy, becoming the first female aviation cadet to do so. [cite news|title=Women in the air force|author=Farooq, Sanaa|url=http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?155980|publisher=Pak Tribune|date=October 3, 2006|accessdate=06/19/08]
* December: The number of American servicewomen killed in Iraq and Afghanistan reaches 70, more than the total from the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and Operation Desert Storm. The 70 women represent less than two percent of the American deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan. [citenews|title=Death toll of female troops "troubling"|publisher=Pak Tribune|url=http://paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?164494|date=December 29, 2006|accessdate=2008-06-19]
* December: Margaret D. Klein, USN, becomes the first female Commandant of Midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy. [cite news|title=Female Navy pioneer Klein moves on|author=Mitchell, Josh|publisher=Baltimoresun.com|date=June 5, 2008|accessdate=2008-06-01
url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/annearundel/bal-md.klein05jun05,0,3240349.story?track=rss]
* December 6: Maj Megan McClung, USMC, becomes the first female Marine officer to die in Iraq. [cite web|url=http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/mmmcclung.htm|title=Megan Malia Leilani McClungMajor, United States Marine Corps "Be Bold - Be Brief - Be Gone"|publisher=Arlingtoncemetery.net|date= December 11, 2006|accessdate=06/19/08]

2007

* January 19: The United Nation's first all female peacekeeping force is set to deploy to Liberia. The peacekeeping force is made up of 105 Indian policewomen. [cite news|title=First All-Female U.N. Peacekeeping Force to Deploy to Liberia|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,244862,00.html|work=FOXnews.com |date=2007-01-19 |accessdate=2008-01-28]
*Spring: Spc Sorimar Perez and Spc Amanda Landers become the first women in the history of the United States military to become Avenger crewmembers. The positions were restricted to males until October 2006. [citenews|url=http://www.defenselink.mil/home/faceofdefense/fod/2007-03/f20070330a.html|author=Staff Sgt. C.G. Maldonado|title=Female Soldiers Make History as Avenger Crewmembers|source=Defenselink.mil, Florida National Guard Public Affairs|date=March 30, 2007|accessdate=06/19/08]
*March: Botswana Defence Force begins recruiting women into military service. [cite news |title=BOTSWANA: Army rolls out carpet for women |url=http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/b9c41b3ba75a7527b1b3f2ea0e481b75.htm |work=Reuters AlertNet |date=2006-11-22 |accessdate=2007-08-01] Tebogo Masire, the commander, states that they will not receive special treatment. [cite news |first=Bame |last=Piet |title=No special treatment for female soldiers - Masire |url=http://www.mmegi.bw/2006/November/Tuesday7/4379671891231.html |work=Mmegi |date=2006-11-07 |accessdate=2007-08-01]
*March: Acting Leading Seaman Faye Turney, a British sailor, is captured by Iran along with fourteen other British sailors. While captive, she appears on television apologizing for trespassing in Iranian waters, and also writes a letter stating that she and her fellow sailors "apparently trespassed" on Iranian waters. [cite news|url=http://investing.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?type=UKNews1&storyID=2007-03-28T201514Z_01_L28126061_RTRUKOC_0_UK-IRAN.xml&WTmodLoc=HP-C1-TopStories-5|title=Iran shows held sailors on television |publisher=Reuters |date=2007-03-28 |accessdate=2007-03-28]
*April: The fifteen British sailors captured by Iran are released. It is revealed that Acting Leading Seaman Faye Turney was separated from the other sailors and singled out for special treatment by the Iranians. In a news conference, some of the other sailors state that she was used as a propaganda tool by Iran. cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6533287.stm|title=Royal Navy captives: Key quotes|publisher=BBC|date=2007-04-06|accessdate=2007-04-08] Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad criticizes the United Kingdom for sending Turney, the mother of a young child, into a war zone. [cite news|title=Freed UK sailors fly home in luxury, sipping champagne|url=http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/Freed-UK-sailors-fly-home.3273979.jp|date=April 5, 2007|source=news.scotsman.com, Edinburgh Evening News|accessdate=06/07/08]

*April: Monica Lin Brown, Specialist in the United States Army stationed in Afghanistan, saves the lives of her fellow soldiers by running through gunfire and using her body as a shield while mortars fell nearby. She earned a Silver Star medal for her actions. [cite news
last = Abrashi
first = Fisnik
coauthors =
title = Medic Stationed in Afghanistan Becomes 2nd Woman to Be Awarded Silver Star
work =
pages =
publisher = Associated Press
date =
url = http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,336259,00.html
accessdate = ] [cite news
last = Clare
first = SPC Micah
coauthors =
title = 2nd Woman Since WWII Gets Silver Star
work =
pages =
language =
publisher = United States Army
date =
url = http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/03/21/8068-2nd-woman-since-wwii-gets-silver-star/
accessdate = 2008-03-22]
* July 10: Captain María Inés Ortiz, U.S. Army becomes the first first Puerto Rican nurse to die in combat and first Army nurse to die in combat since the Vietnam conflict. [ [http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/miotriz.htm Arlington National Cemetery] ]

2008

*March: British flight Lieutenant Michelle Goodman, a helicopter pilot, becomes the first woman to be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. [citenews|author=Smyth, Chris|title=Women on the front line|publisher=Times Online|date=June 18, 2008|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article4164468.ece|accessdate=2008-06-25]
*May 23: Lt. Col. Pi Woo-jin, one of the first female helicopter pilots in the South Korean military, is reinstated into the military after a legal battle over her forced medical discharge after she underwent a mastectomy for breast cancer. She is the first soldier to ever be reinstated into the South Korean military after a forced medical discharge. [cite news|author=Byun Duk-kun|title=Female soldier wins fight against military over forced discharge|publisher=Yonhap News Agency |url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2008/05/23/72/0301000000AEN20080523004400315F.HTML|date=May 23, 2008|accessdate=2008-06-08]
*April: Melissa Stockwell becomes the first American Iraq War vet to be chosen for the Paralympics. [cite news| title = First Iraq war veteran chosen for ParalympicsMelissa Stockwell, who lost leg to roadside bomb, makes U.S. swim team |publisher = Associated Press|date=April 6, 2008|url =http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/23986068/|accessdate = 2008-06-03]
*April 10: Squaw Peak, Arizona is renamed Piestewa Peak in honor of Lori Piestewa. [cite web|author =Associated Press|title=Ariz. Mountain Renamed After Slain Soldier, Army Spc. Lori Piestewa Was First American Indian Woman Killed Serving In U.S. Military |work=Cbsnews.com|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/11/politics/main4008307.shtml?source=related_story| date =April 11, 2008 |accessdate =2008-06-07]
*June 18: Corporal [cite news|title=Two children die as Afghan suicide bomber hits convoy|publisher=news.scotsman.com, Edinburgh Evening News|url=http://news.scotsman.com/world/Two-children-die-as-Afghan.4206476.jp|date=20 June 2008|accessdate=2008-06-20] Sarah Bryant becomes the first female British soldier to be killed in Afghanistan when she and three other SAS men die in a roadside bomb. [cite news|author=Starkey, Jerome|coauthors=Kim Sengupta, Colin Brown|title=First female soldier killed in Afghanistan|publisher=The Independent|date=June 19, 2008|accessdate=2008-06-18|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/first-female-soldier-killed-in-afghanistan-849995.html]

Gallery

ee also

*Women in warfare (1945-1999)

References