Elizabeth Jacobson

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Airman 1st Class
Elizabeth Nicole Jacobson
A1C Elizabeth Nicole Jacobson
Born (1984-03-26)March 26, 1984
Orlando, Florida
Died September 28, 2005(2005-09-28) (aged 21)
Safwan, Iraq
Buried at Pompano Beach, Florida
Allegiance United States United States
Service/branch  United States Air Force
Years of service 2003–2005 (2 years)
Rank Airman First Class
Unit
  • 17th Security Forces Squadron
  • 586th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron
Battles/wars Operation Iraqi Freedom
Awards See below
Website A1C Jacobson Online Memorial

Elizabeth Nicole Jacobson (March 26, 1984 – September 28, 2005) was a United States Air Force Security Forces Airman First Class 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 and the first Security Forces member killed in conflict since Vietnam.[1]

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.[2] 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[3] 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.

Airman Jacobson was laid to rest in Pompano Beach, Florida.[4]

Awards and decorations

Force Protection Badge
Air Force Security Police Badge
Personal decorations
Width-44 scarlet ribbon with width-4 ultramarine blue stripe at center, surrounded by width-1 white stripes. Width-1 white stripes are at the edges. Bronze Star Medal
Width-44 purple ribbon with width-4 white stripes on the borders Purple Heart
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Combat Action Medal
Service awards
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
Campaign and service medals
Width=44 scarlet ribbon with a central width-4 golden yellow stripe, flanked by pairs of width-1 scarlet, white, Old Glory blue, and white stripes National Defense Service Medal
Bronze star
 Iraq Campaign Medal with bronze service star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Service, training, and marksmanship awards
Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold frame
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon

Legacy

  • The U.S. Air Force has established the Elizabeth N. Jacobson Award for Expeditionary Excellence which is given to airmen for outstanding performance during a deployment.[5]
  • 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.[6]
  • The Eagle Chapter, Air Force Security Police Association, created a challenge coin to honor the memory of A1C Jacobson.[8]

At Lackland Air Force Base there is the Jacobson Training Facility for Security Force Members and the Library in the facility has numerous mementos from Jacobson. The museum on the base also holds her in an honor position.

References

  1. ↑ Seasoned Airman, young 'AF cop' early female casualties of war on terror
  2. ↑ Military Times; Honor the Fallen: Army Sgt. Steve Morin Jr.
  3. ↑ Military Times; Honor the Fallen: Air Force Airman 1st Class Elizabeth N. Jacobson
  4. ↑ Find a Grave: Elizabeth Nicole Jacobson Record added May 4, 2006
  5. ↑ Vance SP named AETC winner of new award
  6. ↑ Remembering our veterans: Goodfellow Monitor
  7. ↑ Airman voices expectations to NCOs
  8. ↑ Eagle Chapter, Air Force Security Police Association : Jacobson Coin
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