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The role of women in the military has never been more controversial than it is during the War on Terror. Women warfighters are finding themselves in roles and in battles unlike those of their mothers and grandmothers.

Amanda Pinson was a girl next door. She was an athlete and a cheerleader in high school. She volunteered for the Army and was sent to Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

No dummy, Mandy was a cryptologist, using her skills to analyze captured documents and intercepted communications. She loved her job and was an inspiration to her co-workers and superiors. She worked on base, near Tikrit, Iraq.

Chuck Simmins

Hundreds of fellow Soldiers, friends and family members showed up to honor 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division's Spc. Jessica Sarandrea during her memorial service, April 16, at the Ironhorse Chapel on Fort Hood, Texas. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kap Kim

The Department of Defense announced today [March 6 2009] the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Spc. Jessica Y. Sarandrea, 22, of Miami, Fla., died March 3 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked her forward operating base with mortar fire. She was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

DoD

3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, suffered its fifth casualty during their current deployment to Iraq.

Their latest casualty, Spc. Jessica Sarandrea, 22, of Miami, was killed during a mortar attack, March 3, in Mosul, Iraq.

Her mother, Xiomara; stepfather, Antonio; and brother, Brandon; traveled to Fort Hood, from Miami, to attend her memorial service held, April 16, at Ironhorse Chapel where hundreds of fellow Soldiers and friends showed up to remember the Soldier whose heart and personality was “larger than life.”

Staff Sgt. Donald Carlisle, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd HBCT, who was Sarandrea’s section sergeant before her unit deployed last year, spoke about what type of Soldier she was but more importantly, the impact she made on so many people around her as a person.

“I will greatly miss Spc. Sarandrea – not only because of how good of a Soldier she was, but also because she was a wonderful person,” he said. “Her most distinct trait was her charm.”

As a Soldier, Carlisle described her as a “natural” leader. “With little guidance, she often took the initiative to accomplish difficult tasks – tasks that had a huge impact in the battalion,” he said. “During our preparation for deployment, she did it all.”

Her former commander, Capt. Santos Arroyo, who serves as the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd HBCT, also remembered Sarandrea for her ability to comfort others in times of need.

“Jessica loved making others feel good even on the worst day,” Arroyo recounted. “You will hear of how she will share a hug even when she didn’t know you. All it took was for her to know you were in need.”

Lt. Col. Chris Cieply, chaplain, 1st Cav. Div. Rear Detachment, told stories from friends and fellow Soldiers who echoed those same comments.

“Thank you for your hugs you were famous for and your love which blessed my heart, soul and spirit,” Cieply read from anonymous Soldier. “When my mission is over and our father takes me home, I’ll see you there.”

This was Sarandrea’s second Iraqi deployment. She was assigned to the 89th Transportation Company, Fort Eustis, Va., when she deployed in 2006.

Her awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas service Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge.

DVIDS
Story by Sgt. 1st Class Kap Kim