Elizabeth Jacobson

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A1C Elizabeth Nicole Jacobson

United States Air Force
March 26, 1984(1984-03-26) – November 28, 2005 (aged 21)

U.S. Air Force File Photo
Place of birth Riviera Beach, Florida
Place of death near Safwan, Iraq
Allegiance Flag of the United States United States of America
Service/branch Flag of the United States Air Force United States Air Force
Years of service 2004–2005
Rank Airman First Class
Unit 17th Security Forces Squadron
586th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron
Battles/wars War in Iraq
Awards Bronze Star
Purple Heart
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Combat Action Medal

Airman 1st Class (A1C) Elizabeth Jacobson (March 26, 1984 - September 28, 2005) was a member of the United States Air Force Security Forces who was killed in action in Iraq in 2005. She was the first female Airman killed in the line of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

On September 28, 2005 A1C Elizabeth Jacobson, 21, was providing security on a convoy originating from Camp Bucca, Iraq, when the vehicle she was riding in was hit by an improvised explosive device near the Iraqi town of Safwan. The explosion killed her and Army Sergeant Steve Morin Jr., 34 of Arlington, Texas. A third soldier who was manning the vehicles turret weapon was injured but survived the attack.

The Riviera Beach, Florida, native was assigned to the 17th Security Forces Squadron at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas and had deployed to Iraq as part of the 586th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. Airman Jacobson had been in the Air Force for two years and had been deployed to Iraq for more than three months.

Jacobson's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Combat Action Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold 'combat' frame, and Air Force Training Ribbon. Her military badges include the Air Force Security Police Badge and Force Protection Badge (Basic).

[edit] Posthumous recognition

  • The Air Force has established the Elizabeth N. Jacobson Award for Expeditionary Excellence which is given to an airmen for outstanding performance during a deployment.
  • A street on Ali Al Salem Air Base running from entry control point Echo 4 to the Republic of Korea Air Force compound was renamed Jacobson Avenue in her honor.
  • The Eagle Chapter, Air Force Security Police Association, created a challenge coin to honor the memory of A1C Jacobson.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.afspaeagle.com/NewsPublic/Jcoin.htm Eagle Chapter, Air Force Security Police Association : Jacobson Coin