Cop the Truth points us to SFC Merideth Howard, the oldest female soldier killed in action since the Afghanistan war began. Aged 52, she was serving as a turret gunner when she died.
While at home on leave from Afghanistan in February, she told her husband she wasn't satisfied with her ability to take apart and reassemble her M-16 rifle as per Army regulations. So the couple bought a civilian version for her to use for practice. Within four days she could do it flawlessly - blindfolded.
Do read it all. I'm not crazy about the idea of women in combat, but Merideth Howard obviously had the heart of a warrior and we are all honored by her service.
