For more than 20 years, Wounded Warrior Project has worked to honor and support veterans. In November, a month in which the country celebrated Veterans Day, the nonprofit published a story about Lori Ann Piestewa, an American hero who lost her life in combat in 2003. In doing so, she became the first Native American woman in US history to make the ultimate sacrifice for her country.
Lori Ann Piestewa came from a family of military veterans—both her grandfather and father, a member of the Hopi tribe, served in the armed forces. While in high school in Tuba City, Arizona, Piestewa joined the Junior Office Reserve Corps, where she became a commander.
Piestewa graduated from high school in 1997, then moved to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where her husband and the father of her child was stationed. The couple later had another child, but then separated, at which point Piestewa began considering her own military path.
Looking for a way to support her two young children, as well as to provide for her parents (her mother said Piestewa had wanted to build her mother and father a house), she enlisted in the Army in 2001. After being promoted to private first class, she was assigned to the 507th Maintenance Company in Fort Bliss, Texas. There, she roomed with Pfc. Jessica Lynch, who became her best friend.
In 2003, the 507th Maintenance Company deployed to Iraq. Piestewa, who had the opportunity to remain at Fort Bliss while she recovered from a shoulder injury, instead petitioned to join her unit. This was typical of Piestewa, who her loved ones say went out of her way to be there for others.
On March 23, while serving in Iraq, Piestewa was part of a supply convoy that made a wrong turn and was ambushed. A rocket-propelled grenade hit the left tire of the Humvee Piestewa was driving, and Piestewa, Lynch, and the rest of the convoy were taken prisoner. A Special Forces raid on April 1 recused Lynch, but sadly, Piestewa had already succumbed to her injuries. She was only 23.
Following her death, Piestewa was promoted to specialist and received a Purple Heart. A Phoenix mountain was renamed Piestewa Peak in her honor, as was a nearby freeway. The Grand Canyon State Games, meanwhile, was renamed the Lori Piestewa Games in recognition of Piestewa’s love of sports.
Before she left for Iraq, Piestewa made it clear that she didn’t view herself as a hero. Her loved ones know she was.