The Last Moments of an Army Nurse Killed in Afghanistan

[tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN]

Capt. Jennifer Moreno, a 25 year old army nurse from San Diego, was killed in action on her first deployment to Afghanistan, along with 3 other soldiers during a night raid on October 5, 2013. Moreno was assigned to a special operations task force as a Cultural Support Team member to handle interactions with Afghan women and children, a job that she volunteered for but also one that put her in the middle of combat.

Based on newly released narratives of the battle, an article published this week sheds more light on that chaotic day, and on the heroic steps that were taken to honor the Soldiers Creed: "I will never leave a fallen comrade." The Army states that the sacrifices of Moreno and her 3 comrades hindered an attack "that would have resulted in the deaths of unknown multitudes of innocent civilians."

During the raid, an explosion wounded several soldiers, killing others. Two orders went out. "One was a call to help a wounded soldier struck by a blast." "The other was a command to stay put." Moreno, hearing a call from a staff sergeant to help a wounded soldier and realizing the severity of the wounds, moved to assist the soldiers, "disregarding her own well-being." She was killed in action while in transit when she detonated another explosive.

Upon her death, other soldiers followed her example and risked their lives in an attempt to retrieve the wounded and dead. Some of those brave soldiers received fatal wounds as well. After many attempts, Moreno's body was finally recovered.

For her bravery, she was awarded posthumously the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Combat Action Badge, Meritorious Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and NATO Medal. Her Bronze Star commendation reads, Moreno "sacrificed her life so others could live."

Capt. Amanda King, the commander of Moreno's female Special Operations support team in Afghanistan, wrote in a eulogy: "None of us would have done what you did, running into hell to save your wounded brothers, knowing full well you probably wouldn't make it back."

As nurses, we all make sacrifices for our patients......our wounded. While we struggle through our many daily challenges, let's remember the sacrifice that Capt.Moreno made that night. Would you be able make the same choice as Capt. Moreno.......the ultimate sacrifice?

The Last Moments of an Army Nurse Killed in Afghanistan

[T.H.R.N.]

No words. Only feelings of sorrow and gratitude.

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

Rest in peace sister....

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

RIP - thanks so much....from a grateful nation and grateful vet

[rgr22]

A true hero who volunteered and made the ultimate sacrifice. Words will never do justice, but from a grateful vet, thank you.

[datalore]

What a brave soul. We salute and thank you, may you rest in peace.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Now, get 'em all the hell out of there and bring 'em all home and stop this kind of senseless, senseless, meaningless waste.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I saw this the other day....I think of our Pixie.

My prayers for her family....my thanks for her service.

[mommycruz3]

wow! RIP. A true Hero. God gained an angel.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

No words. Only feelings of sorrow and gratitude.

This...

Further prayers to all nurses in the trenches, especially abroad.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I saw this the other day....I think of our Pixie.

My prayers for her family....my thanks for her service.

Yeah, I was over there at the time, but not in the same area nor doing the same thing as CPT Moreno. I was so glad that they went ahead and posthumously promoted her from LT to CPT, because she was on the same promotion list that I was and I wasn't sure if they did that or not. It just seems right.

The article made me cry, I just have no words. We lost one guy from our tiny compound while I was there, and it devastated us. I can't imagine the sorrow these people felt.

[catebsn25]

RIP. A true hero.