Photo credit: Elizabeth Reed

I was reading an internet thread about the American women who have died while on deployment since 2001. The list contained approximately 145 names, each with the place of death, her name, and date that she was KIA.

And then, I came across SPC. Leslie Denise Jackson's story. My older sister is 18 years old, the age Leslie was when she was KIA in Iraq. Never had the reality of how young that is hit me so hard. When I was 11, I wrote about Philip Germer, who was KIA at 19. At the time, 19 seemed so far away. Now, at 15, I realize how soon 19 is.

Today, on October 28th, 2018, Leslie would've been celebrating her 33rd birthday. So, as a birthday present from me to her, in her honor, and in honor of her family, here is my post. I hope you enjoy it.

Leslie's life before the Army

Leslie Denise Jackson was born on October 28, 1985 in Richmond, Virginia. A single child, Leslie loved painting her nails, shopping and "lived life to the fullest and always chased after her dreams," according to her family.

Leslie aspired to join the US Army and to serve her country after graduating from George Wythe High School. In high school, Leslie was a JROTC Battalion Commander. She discussed her dreams of joining the army with her instructor, explaining to him that it would help her develop as a person, and that she would learn very much from the experience. In turn, he warned her that women in the military weren't all being deployed to the front line yet, but that every day, more and more of them were. He told her to be careful--she might find herself in the thick of battle. She knew this and accepted the challenge. So, in August 2003, she joined the US Army. Since she was only 17, her parents needed to give their approval. Viola Jackson was reluctant, but knew how much it meant to her daughter, and eventually signed the papers allowing Leslie to enlist.

Photo credit: Elizabeth Reed

Training, Fort Hood and Iraq

Off she went to advanced individual skills training at Fort Leonard Wood, a scorching hot training facility Southwest of St.Louis, Missouri, to train as a Motor Transporter Operator (MOS 88M). Leslie's job consisted of being able to drive any vehicle that the US Army had to offer. Whether it was by day or by night, heavy duty trucks or multi-purpose off terrain Humvees, Leslie knew how to drive all of them. After 8 months of training, Leslie received her first duty station at Fort Hood, Texas. She was assigned to the 115th Forward Support Battalion, 1st Brigade. That battalion goes all the way back to World War II, and it received a Presidential Unit Citation in November 1965.
On March 28th, 2004, exactly 5 months after her 18th birthday, Leslie deployed first to Kuwait, then to Iraq.

She was based in the Northeastern part of the Baghdad slum called Sadr City, in Camp War Eagle. Camp War Eagle was victim of two notable attacks while it stood in Iraq from May 2003 to March 2006, both of which took place while Leslie was deployed there. The first, "Black Sunday", was a six-hour night battle on the night of April 4th, 2004, where 8 soldiers were killed and more than 60 were wounded. The second, "The Day of Steal Rain," Camp War Eagle was victim of a mortar barrage that took place on Mother's Day 2004, lasting up to twenty-four hours.

Throughout her deployment, Leslie kept close contact with her family back home. She wrote to her former principal, telling him stories of what it was like being in Iraq. She even wrote how unnerved she felt after having seen a soldier killed in combat for the first time. She explained to him in an e-mail: "I left home as Mommy's little girl, and I'm coming back as a strong woman."
On May 19th, 2004, Leslie called home with a concerned voice. She told her family that she had a bad feeling about the upcoming mission, and said she just wanted to tell them she loved them.

The next day, Leslie's vehicle was hit by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) laid on the road. The after action report stated that she had suffered severe wounds following the explosion. Leslie died due to her terrible wounds later that day, after having been MEDEVACed out of harm's way.

Following her death in Iraq, a scholarship fund was created in her name to help a senior at George Wythe High School attend college.

SPC. Leslie Denise Jackson, one of the youngest casualties of Operation Enduring Freedom, rests at Salem Baptist Church Cemetery in Red Oak Hollow, Virginia. She was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.

Leslie sacrificed her life to help a cause greater than herself. She joined the army to serve her nation and to broaden her view on life. Unfortunately, in the process, she helped us all learn the greatest life lesson: Life is fragile, and every day on this Earth is gift from the Universe; we should treat it as such.

Leslie Denise Jackson, you are a true American patriot and hero, you have my utmost respect, may you rest in peace, forever 18 years old.