Having served in a medical unit as a combat medic, which was comprised of ~35% women, I have first-hand experience in serving directly with women soldiers. Many of whom were absolutely prepared, qualified, and capable of serving anywhere their male counterparts did. But most were not.
Yesterday marked the 45th anniversary of the day when Sp5c Lawrence Joel, a United States Army Combat Medic serving in Vietnam, earned the Medal of Honor.
To append what President Ronald Reagan once said, “Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don’t have that problem.” And now neither will Master Sgt. O’Connor.
Courage and bravery knows no gender boundaries, and Spc. Brown is a true warrior hero and the best of what America has to offer.
Thankfully, SSG Elissa M. Lonsdale thought to journal her time as a Combat Medic while serving in Iraqi. And now she’s published her story as a book.