Leigh Ann Hester

Last updated

Leigh Ann Hester
Leigh Ann Hester February 3 2007 Cropped.jpg
Hester visiting the U.S. Army Women's Museum at Fort Gregg-Adams (then called Fort Lee) in February 2007.
Born (1982-01-12) January 12, 1982 (age 42)
Bowling Green, Kentucky, U.S.
AllegianceFlag of the United States.svg United States
Service/branchFlag of the United States Army.svg  United States Army
Years of service2001–2009, 2010–present
Rank Army-U.S.-OR-08b.png First Sergeant
Unit617th Military Police Company
269th Military Police Company [1]
Battles/wars Iraq War
War in Afghanistan
Hurricane Maria response
Awards Silver Star
Bronze Star
Army Commendation Medal
Other workLaw enforcement officer

Leigh Ann Hester (born January 12, 1982) [2] is a United States Army National Guard soldier. While assigned to the 617th Military Police Company, [3] a Kentucky Army National Guard unit out of Richmond, Kentucky, [3] Hester received the Silver Star for her heroic actions on 20 March 2005 during an enemy ambush on a supply convoy near the town of Salman Pak, Iraq. [4]

Contents

Hester is the first female U.S. Army soldier to receive the Silver Star since World War II and the first ever to be cited for valor in close quarters combat. [5]

Career

Hester waiting to receive her Silver Star medal during a military awards ceremony at Camp Liberty, Iraq in June 2005. Leigh Ann Hester - high res.jpg
Hester waiting to receive her Silver Star medal during a military awards ceremony at Camp Liberty, Iraq in June 2005.

2000s

Hester enlisted in the U.S. Army in April 2001.

In Iraq, [3] Hester's military police squad, consisting of eight men and two women in three Humvees, were shadowing a 30-truck supply convoy when approximately 50 insurgent fighters ambushed the convoy with AK-47, RPK machine gun fire, and rocket propelled grenades (RPG). The squad moved to the side of the road, flanking the insurgents and cutting off their escape route. Hester maneuvered her fire team through the kill zone and into a flanking position, where her squad leader, Staff Sergeant Timothy F. Nein, and she assaulted a trench line with hand grenades and M203 grenade launcher rounds. Nein and Hester assaulted and cleared two trenches. During the 25-minute firefight, Hester killed 3 insurgents. [6]

Hester after receiving her Silver Star medal during a military awards ceremony at Camp Liberty, Iraq in June 2005. Leigh Ann Hester medal.jpg
Hester after receiving her Silver Star medal during a military awards ceremony at Camp Liberty, Iraq in June 2005.

When the battle was over, 27 insurgents were dead, six were wounded, and one captured. Sergeants Nein and Hester were both awarded the Silver Star. [3] [6] Nein's medal was later upgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross. [7]

Also awarded the Silver Star in this ambush was Specialist Jason Mike, a platoon medic who took up and simultaneously fired an M4 carbine and M249 SAW light machine gun in defense of his comrades. [6]

Hester later transferred to the Tennessee Army National Guard. [1]

Hester took a brief break from the National Guard in 2009, and worked as an officer for a civilian law enforcement agency in a Nashville, Tennessee suburb. However, she returned to the military a short while later, in late 2010. [3] [8]

2010s

From 2012 to 2014, she served as an instructor at the 117th Regional Training Institute Military Police School. In 2014, she deployed to Afghanistan for 18 months as a Cultural Support Team member. [9] [10] [11] Hester has since been promoted to the rank of sergeant first class. [9] In 2017, Hester deployed to Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands as part of the response to Hurricane Maria. Hester's military police company provided law enforcement support to the U.S. Virgin Islands Police. [12]

Awards and decorations

Silver Star

Silver Star medal.png

Citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Leigh Ann Hester, United States Army, for exceptionally valorous achievement during combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, on 20 March 2005, in Iraq. Sergeant Hester's heroic actions in Iraq contributed to the overwhelming success of the Multi-National Corps-Iraq mission. While serving as the Team Leader for RAVEN 42B in the 617th Military Police Company, 503d Military Police Battalion (Airborne), 18th Military Police Brigade, Sergeant Hester led her soldiers on a counterattack of anti-Iraqi Forces (AIF) who were ambushing a convoy with heavy AK-47 assault rifle fire, PRK machine gun fire, and rocket propelled grenades. Sergeant Hester maneuvered her team through the kill zone into a flanking position where she assaulted a trench line with grenades and M-203 rounds. She then cleared two trenches with her Squad Leader where she engaged and eliminated 3 AIF with her M-4 rifle. Her actions saved the lives of numerous convoy members. Sergeant Hester's bravery is in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflects distinct credit upon herself, the 503d Military Police Battalion (Airborne), the 18th Military Police Brigade, and the United States Army. NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD: Sergeant Leigh A. Hester is cited for conspicuous gallantry in action against an armed enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with anti Iraq forces (AIF) as a team leader for Raven 42B, 617th Military Police Company, 503d Military Police Battalion (Airborne) stationed at Camp Liberty, Iraq on 20 March 2005, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. The team's mission was to assist Raven 42 in searching the Eastern Convoy Route for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and provide additional security to sustainment convoys traveling through their area of responsibility. While patrolling Alternate Supply Route (ASR) Detroit, Raven 42B was shadowing a sustainment convoy consisting of 30 third country national (TCN) semi-tractor trailers with a three vehicle squad size escort, call sign Stallion 33, traveling from LSA (logistics support area) Anaconda to CSC (convoy support center) Scania. The weather for this ASR patrol was 75 degrees and sunny with a 10 knot breeze from the southwest. While traveling on ASR Detroit approximately 50 AIF ambushed the convoy with heavy AK47 fire, RPK heavy machine gun fire, and rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) from the southwest side of the road at 1140 hours. The AIF were utilizing irrigation ditches and an orchard for the well planned complex attack. The AIF had cars combat parked along a road perpendicular to the ASR with all doors and trunks open. The AIF intent was to destroy the convoy, to inflict numerous casualties, and to kidnap several TCN drivers or U.S. Soldiers. The initial ambush disabled and set on fire the lead TCN vehicle, which effectively blocked the southbound lanes of ASR Detroit, stopping the convoy in the kill zone. The squad leader, Staff Sergeant Timothy Nein, directed the squad to move forward, traveling on the right shoulder and passing through the engagement area between the enemy and the convoy. Sergeant Hester directed her gunner to provide heavy volumes of MK 19 and M240B fires into the field where an overwhelming number of insurgents were executing a well coordinated ambush on the convoy. Raven 42 elements were outnumbered five to one. Staff Sergeant Nein ordered the squad to flank the insurgents on their right side. The squad continued to come under heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenade fire when Sergeant Hester stopped her vehicle, the middle vehicle, at a flanking position enfilading the trench line and the orchard field where over a dozen insurgents were engaging the squad and convoy. She then directed her gunner to focus fires in the trench line and the orchard field. Sergeant Hester dismounted and moved to what was thought to be the non-contact side of the vehicle. She ordered her gunner to continue to fire on the orchard field as she and her driver engaged insurgents in the orchard field with small arms. Sergeant Hester began engaging the insurgents with her M203 in order to suppress the heavy AIF fire. Sergeant Hester followed Staff Sergeant Nein to the right side berm and threw two well placed fragmentation grenades into the trench eliminating the AIF threat. Sergeant Hester and Staff Sergeant Nein went over the berm into the trench and began clearing the trench with their M4s. Sergeant Hester engaged and eliminated three AIF to her front with her M4. They then made their way to the front trench and cleared that as well. After clearing the front trench cease fire was called and she began securing the ambush site. The final result of the ambush was 27 AIF KIA (killed in action), 6 AIF WIA (wounded in action), and one AIF captured. [13]

Commendations

Combat Action Badge.svg
Silver Star ribbon.svg Bronze Star ribbon.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Army Achievement Medal ribbon.svg
Army Reserve Achievement ribbon.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg Afghanistan Campaign ribbon.svg Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg Iraq Campaign Medal ribbon, 1st award.svg
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary ribbon.svg Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg ResMedRib.svg Hourglass Device Bronze.svg M device.png Award numeral 2.svg
NCO Professional Development Ribbon.svg Award numeral 3.svg Army Service Ribbon.svg Army Overseas Service Ribbon.svg
Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon.svg NATO Medal Yugoslavia ribbon bar.svg KY Service Ribbon.png
US Army Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge-Generic.png ArmySharpshooter.jpg


Badge Combat Action Badge
1st Row Silver Star Bronze Star
2nd Row Army Commendation Medal
with 1 bronze Oak leaf cluster
Army Achievement Medal
with 1 bronze Oak leaf cluster
Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal
with 2 bronze Oak leaf clusters
3rd Row National Defense Service Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal
with 2 bronze Campaign stars
Iraq Campaign Medal
with 1 bronze Campaign star
4th Row Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Armed Forces Reserve Medal
with Bronze Hourglass device, bronze "M" device and award numeral 2
5th Row NCO Professional Development Ribbon
with award numeral 3
Army Service Ribbon Overseas Service Ribbon
6th Row Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon NATO Medal
for ex-Yugoslavia
Kentucky National Guard Faithful Service Ribbon
(20 years)
Badges Expert Marksmanship badge
with pistol component bar
Sharpshooter Marksmanship badge
with rifle component bar

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baqubah</span> Place in Diyala Governorate, Iraq

Baqubah is the capital of Iraq's Diyala Governorate. The city is located some 50 km (31 mi) to the northeast of Baghdad, on the Diyala River. In 2003 it had an estimated population of some 280,000 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Abu Ghraib</span> Battle in Iraq in 2005

The Battle of Abu Ghraib took place between Iraqi Mujahideen and United States forces at Abu Ghraib prison on April 2, 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military Police Corps (United States)</span> U.S. Armys branch for military police

The United States Army Military Police Corps (USAMPC) is the uniformed law enforcement branch of the United States Army. Investigations are conducted by Military Police Investigators under the Provost Marshal General's Office or Special Agents of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Security Detachment Iraq (Australia)</span> Military unit

The Security Detachment Iraq was the final component of Australia's contribution to coalition operations in Iraq. SECDET was based on an Australian Army combined arms combat team consisting of an infantry company group and a troop of cavalry which operated the Australian Light Armoured (ASLAV) vehicles. There was also a three man EOD Team from various Combat Engineer Regiments. The force's duties included static security guarding at the Australian Embassy in Baghdad and the protection of Australian diplomats by the 1st MP Bn (CPPT) and Cavalry (RAAC) escort/protection, also vehicle convoys. SECDET was withdrawn in August 2011, with the firm Unity Resources Group becoming responsible for providing security for Australia's diplomatic presence in Iraq.

The Karbala provincial headquarters raid was a special operation carried out on January 20, 2007, by the Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq against the U.S. contingent of the Joint Security Station, located within the Iraqi Police headquarters. The assault, which left five U.S. soldiers dead and three wounded, has been called the "boldest and most sophisticated attack in four years of warfare" and is furthermore notable for being one of the few instances when any sort of militants or insurgents have actually managed to capture U.S. soldiers since the Vietnam War.

<i>Stop-Loss</i> (film) 2008 American film

Stop-Loss is a 2008 American war drama film directed by Kimberly Peirce and starring Ryan Phillippe, Channing Tatum, Abbie Cornish and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as young soldiers whose experience in the Iraq War leaves them psychologically shattered. It was distributed by Paramount Pictures and produced by MTV Films. The film received mixed reviews, and earned less than half of its $25 million production budget at the box office. The title refers to the U.S. government's controversial stop-loss policy, which allows the government to extend the term of duty of soldiers who have already served their contracted number of years of service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Wadi al-Batin</span> 1991 battle

The Battle of Wadi al-Batin, also known as the Battle of Ruqi Pocket, took place before the beginning of the Desert Storm operations on 16 February 1991. This is not to be confused with the "Battle of Wadi al-Batin" which was fought later in the four-day ground war between elements of the 1st Cavalry Division and the Iraqi Republican Guard.

Al-Karmah, also sometimes transliterated as Karma, Karmah, or Garma, is a city in central Iraq, 16 km (10 mi) northeast of Fallujah in the province of Al Anbar.

The tactics of the Iraqi insurgency have varied widely. Insurgents have targeted U.S. forces and Iraqi government forces using improvised explosive devices, ambushes, snipers, and mortar and rocket fire, in addition to using car bombs, kidnappings or hostage-taking, and assassinations.

The Nisour Square massacre occurred on September 16, 2007, when employees of Blackwater Security Consulting, a private military company contracted by the United States government to provide security services in Iraq, shot at Iraqi civilians, killing 17 and injuring 20 in Nisour Square, Baghdad, while escorting a U.S. embassy convoy. The killings outraged Iraqis and strained relations between Iraq and the United States. In 2014, four Blackwater employees were tried and convicted in U.S. federal court; one of murder, and the other three of manslaughter and firearms charges. In 2020, all four convicted were pardoned by President Donald Trump. United Nations experts said the pardons "violate U.S. obligations under international law and more broadly undermine humanitarian law and human rights at a global level”.

Echelons above corps (EAC), in US and NATO practice, refer to higher headquarters, of purpose-built organization, which involve a greater number of troops than would be in an army corps. They may be standing organizations with a regional responsibility, or may be established for a particular operational purpose. While EAC most commonly refer to ground combat forces, they may refer to joint commands. They may also be administrative headquarters with responsibility for preparing combat forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monica Lin Brown</span> American Army sergeant and medic

Monica Lin Brown is a United States Army sergeant and medic who became the first woman during the War in Afghanistan and only the second woman since World War II to receive the Silver Star, the United States military's third-highest medal for valor in combat.

The 2005 Hit convoy ambush was an ambush by Iraqi insurgents of a convoy that was carrying military supplies for U.S. forces. The convoy was escorted by private military contractors. The ambush ended with the death of all the contractors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Bellavia</span> United States Army Medal of Honor recipient

David Gregory Bellavia is a former United States Army soldier who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Second Battle of Fallujah. Bellavia has also received the Bronze Star Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, and the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross. In 2005, Bellavia was inducted into the New York Veterans' Hall of Fame. He has subsequently been involved with politics in Western New York State. Upon being awarded the Medal of Honor on June 25, 2019, Bellavia became the first, and currently only living recipient of the Medal of Honor for service during the Iraq War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2004 Good Friday ambush</span> Attack on US troops by insurgents

The 2004 Good Friday ambush was an attack by Iraqi insurgents on April 9, 2004 during the Iraq War on a convoy of U.S. supply trucks during the Battle of Baghdad International Airport. It happened in the midst of the Iraq spring fighting of 2004, which saw intensified clashes throughout the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marine Raider Regiment</span> US Marine Corps special forces unit

The Marine Raider Regiment (MRR), formerly known as the Marine Special Operations Regiment (MSOR), is a special operations force of the United States Marine Corps, which is a part of Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC). Renamed for its predecessor, the World War II Marine Raiders, this unit is the principal combat component of MARSOC, which is the Marine Corps' contribution to the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).

This article is about the role played by women in the military in the Americas, particularly in the United States and Canada from the First World War to modern times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salvatore Giunta</span> United States Army Medal of Honor recipient (born 1985)

Salvatore Augustine Giunta is a former United States Army soldier and the first living person since the Vietnam War to receive the United States Armed Forces' highest decoration for valor, the Medal of Honor. Giunta was cited for saving the lives of members of his squad on October 25, 2007, during the War in Afghanistan. He left the United States Army in June 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Baghdad International Airport</span>

On Easter Sunday April 11, 2004, a battle was fought at Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) in Iraq primarily between United States Army truck drivers, air defense artillerymen, armor, military policemen, engineers and miscellaneous logistics personnel and militants from Muqtada al Sadr's Mahdi Army, along the Southwest side of the airport wall in an area commonly referred to as Engineer Village. That section of Baghdad International Airport was home to numerous engineering units, in particular the 389th Combat Engineers, a dining hall, and a convoy marshaling area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monica Beltran</span> American soldier (born 1985)

Monica Beltran is a retired soldier of the Virginia Army National Guard who was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with "V" device for actions during a 2005 battle in the Iraq War.

References

  1. 1 2 "On the Cover" (PDF). VolState Guard. Tennessee National Guard. March 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 April 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
  2. "Free Family Tree, Genealogy and Family History - MyHeritage". www.familytreelegends.com.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Hester". Women in the U.S. Army. United States Army. 31 August 2012. Archived from the original on 12 July 2007. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
  4. "50 Heroes for 50 States – U.S. Department of Defense Update". United States Department of Defense . Retrieved 30 December 2006.
  5. Sergeant Sara Wood. "Female Soldier receives Silver Star in Iraq". Department of Defense . Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  6. 1 2 3 Steve Fainaru (26 June 2005). "Silver Stars Affirm One Unit's Mettle". Washington Post. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
  7. Doubler, Michael D. (2008). The National Guard and Reserve: A Reference Handbook. Contemporary Military, Strategic, and Security Issues. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 135. ISBN   9780275993252.
  8. Martin, Rachel (22 February 2011). "Silver Star Recipient A Reluctant Hero". NPR . Retrieved 23 February 2011.
  9. 1 2 Cowan, Jill (29 August 2015). "Franklin Silver Star recipient talks women in military". The Tennessean.
  10. "Franklin Silver Star recipient talks women in military". The Tennessean .
  11. "Female Silver Star recipient returns to Franklin PD". The Tennessean .
  12. Mondale, Arthur (12 October 2017). "National Guard MPs and SFs fight criminal activity post-hurricane". The Pentagram. US Department of Defense. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  13. "Leigh Ann Hester, Silver Star". valor.militarytimes.com. Retrieved 27 December 2020.

Further reading