Women in Combat: Grim Toll of Military Women Killed in War

8/11/2008 2:55:00 PM

108 Women Killed in War on Terror

Updated: August 18, 2009

Since the attack on America on September 11, 2001, a total of 108 women deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait have lost their lives in service to America.

Most Americans, and even members of the media, are not aware that 108 brave servicewomen have died in the War on Terrorism. With few exceptions, news stories about their tragic deaths usually appear only in the military press, or in small hometown newspaper stories and television accounts that rarely capture national attention.

Everyone in this war is serving "In Harm's Way," but “Direct Ground Combat” units, such as the infantry, engage in deliberate offensive action against the enemy.  Most of the servicewomen whose names are listed below were killed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and some died in military plane crashes. Sixteen were mothers of one or more children age 18 and younger. One female soldier, whose body was shattered by an explosive device she was attempting to disarm, died in the arms of her soldier husband who was stationed nearby.

Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C. has cared for many female heroes who have lost legs and arms. When two women Marines and a female sailor were killed in a Fallujah truck attack in June 2005, eleven more were sent to Brooke Medical Center in Texas, which specializes in the treatment of severe burns. Hundreds have received medals for serious injuries and for personal valor under fire.  ...read more, including a list of names