First Female Airman Awarded the Silver Star – Did She Deserve It?

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There was no medal for valor in the United States military before the Civil War. The Medal of Honor served as the sole service medal for gallantry in the face of enemy combatants.  

During the First World War, the “Citation Star,” which later became known as the “Silver Star,” was created. The Silver Star is the third-highest commendation for valor.   

If you haven’t seen “Band of Brothers,” it is a must-see series. (Or, read the book.) But what’s clear is that the men of Easy Company were selfless and brave. On D-Day, 12 men of the 101st Easy Company were tasked with destroying a battery of four 105 MM howitzers trained on the beaches of Normandy. Twelve men were dispatched against 60 entrenched German soldiers. Easy Company soldiers destroyed the artillery and killed 20 Germans. It was a particularly dangerous mission. A near suicide mission. 

Three men on that daring assault earned the Silver Star.

During America’s subsequent wars, men were pinned with Silver Stars. Here is another example — this one is for an Airman: 

On 11 December 1968 Airman [Lief] Arvidson skillfully accomplished the combat extraction of eight critically injured survivors from a helicopter crash during a day/night operation in rugged mountainous, jungle covered terrain in a hostile area. Airman Arvidson’s calm and professional performance of his duties in the face of intense hostile fire was of primary importance in the successful accomplishment of the mission. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Airman Arvidson has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. 

During the war on terror, Navy SEALs of DevGru were tasked with a capture/kill mission. It was the Osama Bin Ladin raid. Many on that raid told the aviators flying their specially equipped Black Hawks that they likely weren’t coming back. A suicide mission. Everyone knows about the raiders on the ground. Many know that the pilots of the two Black Hawks were exceptional pilots. CW5 Douglas Englen, one of those pilots, explained: 

“We’re the ones that are penetrating into a sovereign nation. We’re the ones that have to elude the air defense, early warning network. We’re the ones that have to make sure we can get the ground force in, where they need to go. Loiter, for up to an hour, in an area that could shoot you down at any time, they possibly could think it’s an aircraft from India.”   

The pilot of the crashed Black Hawk almost certainly saved the mission and the lives of those on board with incredible flying skills. Both Black Hawk pilots were integral to the mission’s success. Both pilots were cited for gallantry with Silver Stars. 

In April 2024, Israel had killed Iranian Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi. Israel knew that Iran would answer with an attack. It asked for and got America’s help in stopping a drone and missile strike by Iran. The counterattack happened later that month, when Iran launched about 300 unmanned drones and missiles intended to strike Israel. America sortied aircraft to intercept the drones and missiles.

On Nov. 12, 30 fighter pilots and airmen were recognized for missions during the largest air-to-air enemy engagement in over 50 years, according to the Air Force. The crew of one F-15E, pilot Maj. Benjamin Coffey and Fweapon systems officer Capt. Lacie Hester were awarded the nation’s third-highest valor award, the Silver Star.

The Iranian attack was composed entirely of unmanned drones and missiles.  

During the ceremony, 28 other airmen involved in the defensive operation were awarded six Distinguished Flying Crosses with the valor device, four Distinguished Flying Crosses with the combat device, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Bronze Stars, seven Air and Space Commendation Medals, and seven Air and Space Achievement Medals. 

The F-15 crew cited with Silver Stars reportedly used all of their missiles and then switched to the Gatling gun.   

The soon-to-be SecDef, Pete Hegseth, has said that he doesn’t think women belong in combat roles. I disagree, up to a point. I think women are more than capable as pilots and weapons officers. 

I asked retired Airmen if they thought Hester’s Silver Star was appropriate. One said no — the Air Medal would have been appropriate. “I was being shot at and got an Air Medal.” The other called it “absurd.”  

Was the crew of that particular F-15 deserving of Silver Stars or another lower-grade medal? Were both awarded Silver Stars because the weapons officer was a woman?

I have my own opinions; I’d like to get the perspective and opinions of the readers.