I just surfed across the channels on the Television and stopped for a moment on C-Span. The program was a series of interviews of wounded Soldiers and Marines who have been evacuated from Iraq.
The segment that was on involved Major Tammy Duckworth, US Army, a female Blackhawk pilot that was severely injured when her aircraft was hit in the air by an RPG round. The RPG impacted her side of the cockpit, exploded in front of her, removed the pedals, cyclic, her right leg well above the knee, her left leg below the knee, and most of the tissue behind her right arm above the elbow and exited the roof of the aircraft damaging the main rotor blades and doing other major damage to the aircraft.
She absolutely impressed this old soldier....her spirit, morale, and dedication to the service of her country is unbelievable. She is a genuine hero in my book. She promises to be back on flight status one day.....from what I saw tonight....she will succeed if only for her incredible spirit.
This one is a keeper. Where do we find these wonderful young people?
Excerpt from a magazine article about her
Injured pilot determined to fly again
December 29, 2004
Illinois Army National Guard officer Tammy Duckworth was promoted to major on Dec. 21 at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Duckworth lost most of both of her legs after the helicopter she was piloting was shot down in Iraq on Nov. 12. Lt. Col. Fred Allen, in the brown flight suit, was one of the members of the Illinois Army Guard who attended the promotion ceremony. Allen, who commands the 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation, was Duckworth's commanding officer in Iraq. Master Sgt. Bob Haskell
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)
