I found her picture, and I think that that girl has the ability to contribute.
Posted on 03/19/2005 2:39:54 PM PST by Former Military Chick
A Black Hawk helicopter pilot had a surprise visit four days before Christmas, receiving an Army Commendation Medal, Air Medal and promotion to major.
Maj. Ladda “Tammy” Duckworth, of the Illinois National Guard’s 1-106th Aviation, is recuperating from injuries at Walter Reed Army Medical Center after a rocket-propelled grenade hit the helicopter she was piloting in Iraq Nov. 12.
“I hope this is the worst thing that happens to anyone in the 106th during this deployment,” said Duckworth. “This is not so bad, there is always somebody worse off than you are. I’m just glad it was me and not one of my guys out there.”
Duckworth received a Purple Heart Dec.12, after loosing both of both of her legs and sustaining severe injuries to her right arm. Her copilot, from the Missouri Army Guard, landed the crippled Black Hawk as crewmembers, air ambulance personnel and doctors on the ground worked feverishly to save her life.
“She (Duckworth) is a person of unusual strength and courage and tremendous personal discipline,” said Lt. Gen. Roger Schultz. “Just being around her gives you a sense of appreciation for the people who make our Army the organization it is.”
Duckworth is determined to remain a Soldier, and hopes that after a long recovery process she will be able to fly again, or at least remain in the Army Guard.
“It is always a privilege to wear the uniform,” said Duckworth, who has been assured she can return to her civilian job as manager of Rotary clubs in the Asian-Pacific area for Rotary International when she is able.
(Editor's note: Information provided by Master Sgt. Bob Haskell, National Guard Bureau)
Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, chairman of the committee, said the current practice of treating returning wounded service members only at medical facilities in Washington, Georgia and Texas might not be right.
Instead, the Defense Department and VA should find smarter ways to use their facilities across the country to bring these men and women closer to home for recovery, said Craig.
If this woman of valor wants back in, let her. She can offer us all lessons in valor. These kids make me so proud of our military. I wish her well.
Isn't this one of Mike's pilots . . . She sounds like an amazing woman!
She is in the same BN but different Company...she flies Blackhawks and Mike's unit is Chinooks......Mike told me that members of the Il Guard and civilians are making her house handicap accessible for her return...
She have family?
She is married to an officer in the Il Guard...they have no children..her parents live in Hawaii...
I found her picture, and I think that that girl has the ability to contribute.
I am so amazed at how many of these injured soldiers want to go back & serve their country. It is so heartwarming and awe-inspiring to know these people are serving and protecting our country.
Something tells me this woman will find a way to fly again!
Back in WW2, one of the top British aces was a double amputee who'd lost both legs in a training accident. After being shot down and captured, he caused so much trouble with his repeated escape attempts, the Germans ended up locking him away on top of a mountain.
In WW1, the top British ace was blind in one eye. In just ten months he managed to down 79 enemy aircraft (just two shy of the Red Baron's total). For the last four months, he served as an instructor, racing in to kill the observer/gunner and then pulling back to let his students get the kill, denying himself at least forty kills.
It sounds like Major Duckworth has just as much courage and determination of these two pilots, so I wouldn't be surprised to read about her flying again within the next few years.
Heard about her on NPR too. The other wounded soldiers who share the same hallway must be getting tired of all the traffic.
That would be Sir Douglas Bader.
http://www.acepilots.com/wwi/br_mannock.html
There is a great deal of dispute as to the number of kills that Major Mannock received. I have seen 72, 73, and 79, while this article credits him with only 61.
Can see your point.
This brave hero honors us all with her courage.
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