Who is Lori Ann Piestewa:

Loir Piestewa, a Hopi Native American woman, was the first Native American and first female soldier to die in combat during the Iraq War, tragically killed in an ambush on March 23, 2003. 

Here's a more detailed account of her story:

• Background and Military Service:

  Lori Ann Piestewa, born in December 1979, was a single mother of two young children when she enlisted in the Army in 2001. She served as a member of the 507th Maintenance Company, a support unit focused on maintenance and repair personnel. 

• The Ambush:

  On March 23, 2003, her convoy was ambushed near Nasiriyah, Iraq, during the early stages of the war. Her Humvee was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, and she was taken prisoner along with other soldiers. 

• Death and Legacy:

  Piestewa died from her wounds shortly after being taken prisoner and was the first American servicewoman to die in the Iraq War. She was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. 

• Honors and Recognition:

  Piestewa's sacrifice has been honored in several ways:

  • A prominent Phoenix mountain, originally named Squaw Peak, was renamed Piestewa Peak in her honor. 

  • The Lori Piestewa National Native American Games, a multi-sport event for Native Americans, was created in her memory. 

  • She is remembered as a symbol of patriotic Native American sacrifice. 

  • Her story continues to inspire and serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who serve in the military. 

Why do the Native American Women Warriors wear a patch of Lori Piewesta on their uniforms above their hearts?

The Native American Women Warriors (NAWW), an all-female Native American veteran group, wear a patch honoring Lori Piestewa to commemorate her sacrifice and service. Lori Piestewa, a member of the Hopi tribe, was the first Native American woman in U.S. history to die in combat while serving in the military. She was killed in action during the 2003 Iraq War as part of the 507th Maintenance Company.

Piestewa’s legacy is deeply significant to Native American veterans and communities, symbolizing courage, dedication, and the contributions of Indigenous women in the armed forces. The patch serves as a tribute to her memory and a reminder of the sacrifices Native women have made in military service.