UPDATE (November 29, 2008) — Spc. Brown’s amazing story was on 60 Minutes tonight. Click here to read the story of how she won her Silver Star and watch a video of the story.
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As a former Combat Medic in the US Army, I have a special affinity for military medics and corpsmen. In fact I have a higher respect and regard for combat medics and corpsmen than I do any other group of people on this planet.
Any.
Combat Medics (and a fellow Texan) like Spc. Monica Lin Brown of Lake Jackson, TX:
CAMP SALERNO, Afghanistan — A 19-year-old medic from Texas will become the first woman in Afghanistan and only the second female soldier since World War II to receive the Silver Star, the nation’s third-highest medal for valor.
Army Spc. Monica Lin Brown saved the lives of fellow soldiers after a roadside bomb tore through a convoy of Humvees in the eastern Paktia province in April 2007, the military said.
After the explosion, which wounded five soldiers in her unit, Brown ran through insurgent gunfire and used her body to shield wounded comrades as mortars fell less than 100 yards away, the military said.
“I did not really think about anything except for getting the guys to a safer location and getting them taken care of and getting them out of there,” Brown told The Associated Press on Saturday at a U.S. base in the eastern province of Khost.
Brown, of Lake Jackson, Texas, is scheduled to receive the Silver Star later this month. She was part of a four-vehicle convoy patrolling near Jani Kheil in the eastern province of Paktia on April 25, 2007, when a bomb struck one of the Humvees.
“We stopped the convoy. I opened up my door and grabbed my aid bag,” Brown said.
She started running toward the burning vehicle as insurgents opened fire. All five wounded soldiers had scrambled out.
“I assessed the patients to see how bad they were. We tried to move them to a safer location because we were still receiving incoming fire,” Brown said.
[snip]
“I did not really have time to be scared,” Brown said. “Running back to the vehicle, I was nervous (since) I did not know how badly the guys were injured. That was scary.”
The military said Brown’s “bravery, unselfish actions and medical aid rendered under fire saved the lives of her comrades and represents the finest traditions of heroism in combat.”
Wow. Just. Wow.
I wonder if this makes Mrs. Obama proud to be an American…I know it does me.
For those of you who would slander the brave men and women of our military—especially those of you who would do so, yet have never had the balls to serve yourself—THIS is the face of the US Army. This is a Soldier who is by far braver and more courageous than any of you dread-locked, patchouli-smelling, anti-war cowards who have never served.
Especially you men.
While you’re safe at home, this woman is out there keeping your ass safe and free.
But courage and bravery knows no gender boundaries, and Spc. Brown is a true warrior hero and the best of what America has to offer.
Blackfive once said, “Nobody loves medics like the Infantry. Nobody. They deserve all the recognition we can give them.â€
Thank you, SPC Brown.
Congratulations, Monica. I know how important it is for you to do your best always. you saved lives. Bless you, honey.
Left by Mary McCawley on March 9th, 2008 at 11:16 pm