Leigh Ann Hester: Silver Star Award

• Without hesitation, Hester and Nein scaled over the berm into the trench to conduct a thorough clearing operation.
• Hester ordered her gunner to maintain a heavy barrage on the insurgents
• Leigh Ann Hester stands out as a distinguished soldier in the United States Army National Guard

Leigh Ann Hester stands out as a distinguished soldier in the United States Army National Guard, renowned for her remarkable acts of bravery during combat operations. Born on January 12, 1982, Hester was assigned to the 617th Military Police Company, a Kentucky Army National Guard unit based in Richmond, Kentucky. Her exemplary performance during a fierce ambush on March 20, 2005, near Salman Pak, Iraq, earned her the prestigious Silver Star, a testament to her valour and leadership on the battlefield. This accolade is particularly significant as she became the first woman in the Army to be awarded the Silver Star for valour in combat since World War II.

During her deployment in Iraq, Hester was part of a military police squad comprising eight men and two women who were tasked with providing flank security for a 30-truck supply convoy. The tranquillity of their mission was abruptly shattered when approximately fifty insurgent fighters launched a well-coordinated ambush against the convoy using an array of weapons, including AK-47s, RPK machine guns, and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). Amidst the chaos, Hester quickly assessed the situation and directed her gunner to provide suppressing fire into the orchard field and trench line from which the insurgents were attacking. She demonstrated exceptional tactical acumen by manoeuvring her vehicle into a flanking position, which provided her squad with a strategic advantage over the insurgent positions.

Realising the severity of the attack, Sergeant Hester dismounted her vehicle, prepared for combat, and moved to the non-contact side. She ordered her gunner to maintain heavy fire on the insurgents while she and her driver engaged them with small arms. Hester bravely utilised her M203 grenade launcher to counter the increasing enemy fire, further solidifying her role as a critical component of the squad's defence.

Hester coordinated with Staff Sergeant Timothy F. Nein, and together they advanced toward a trench occupied by the insurgents. She skilfully deployed two fragmentation grenades into the trench, significantly diminishing the insurgent threat. After clearing this position, Sergeant Hester and Staff Sergeant Nein continued their assault, moving toward the front trench and neutralising more enemy combatants with their M4 rifles. Over the course of the intense 25-minute firefight, Hester successfully eliminated three insurgents. The engagement resulted in twenty-seven enemy combatants killed, six wounded, and one captured.

Hester's distinguished action during the ambush did not go unnoticed. She received her Silver Star medal during a formal military ceremony at Camp Liberty, Iraq, in June 2005, recognising her remarkable contributions to the mission's success and the lives she saved that day. The Silver Star citation underscored her conspicuous gallantry and unwavering commitment to her fellow soldiers under fire.

Following her heroic actions in Iraq, Hester continued her military career, later transferring to the Tennessee Army National Guard. She briefly stepped away from military service in 2009 to work as a law enforcement officer in a Nashville suburb, but returned to the military in late 2010. From 2012 to 2014, Hester served as an instructor at the 117th Regional Training Institute Military Police School. She then deployed to Afghanistan for 18 months as a member of a Cultural Support Team, where she further exemplified her dedication.

In 2017, Hester was deployed to Saint Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands to assist in the response to Hurricane Maria, providing crucial law enforcement support to local authorities. Hester has since achieved the rank of sergeant first class, earning numerous awards and decorations, highlighting her ongoing commitment to service and exemplary leadership.

Leigh Ann Hester's story is a powerful narrative of courage, strength, and unwavering determination, emphasising her role as an inspirational figure within the military and a symbol of the capabilities and virtues women bring to combat roles in the armed forces.

Recognising the need for immediate action, Hester ordered her gunner to maintain a heavy barrage on the insurgents in the orchard while she and her driver engaged the threats with their small arms. In the face of overwhelming enemy fire, she adeptly utilised her M203 grenade launcher, unleashing rounds to suppress the insurgents and reduce the intensity of the hostile engagement.

Teaming up with Staff Sergeant Nein, Hester strategically advanced towards a heavily fortified trench occupied by insurgents. Once at the trench, she displayed exceptional marksmanship, launching two expertly thrown fragmentation grenades into the enemy position, which effectively neutralised the immediate threat and created an opening for further advancement.

Without hesitation, Hester and Nein scaled over the berm into the trench to conduct a thorough clearing operation. Utilising their M4 rifles, they methodically engaged any remaining insurgents, with Hester eliminating three enemy combatants directly in front of her. The two soldiers then made their way toward the front trench, where they continued their mission to clear out insurgents.

Following the successful engagement and securing of the area, a ceasefire was called. Sergeant Hester began the process of securing the ambush site, ensuring that it was safe for the convoy to proceed. The outcome of this intense firefight was considerable: twenty-seven enemy combatants were confirmed killed in action, six wounded, and one captured, highlighting the effectiveness of Hester's courageous leadership and tactical expertise in a critical situation.