The 1st Infantry Division lost its first female soldier in combat, Sergeant Cheryl L. LaBeau-O’Brien, during Operation Desert Storm on February 27, 1991. O’Brien joined the Army shortly after graduating high school in 1986 and found her niche as a mechanic in aviation electronics. While stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany, she would meet her husband, Sergeant Michael J. O’Brien, a helicopter technical inspector with the Big Red One. Soon after their wedding in March 1990, LaBeau-O’Brien’s first enlistment ended and she quickly rejoined the Army with the condition that she be stationed with her husband at Fort Riley, Kansas. Both would be deployed to Saudi Arabia on January 11, 1991, for the buildup of troops necessary for Operation Desert Shield.

O’Brien volunteered as a door gunner on a UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter, Crew 78-23015, call sign Cowboy 15, to retrieve the remains of fallen soldiers. She served in the 4th Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, 4th Brigade, 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized). The Black hawk targeted by an Iraqi anti-aircraft gun and shot down. All those aboard—Sergeant Lee A. Belass, Sergeant Jason C. Carr, Staff Sergeant Jonathan H. Kamm, Warrant Office John K. Morgan, Warrant Officer David G. Plasch, Sergeant First Class Gary E. Streeter, Warrant Officer George R. Swartzendruber, and 1st Lieutenant Donaldson P. Tillar—were killed, including Sergeant LaBeau-O’Brien.

Her family posthumously accepted the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Air Medal for her final act of valor on May 21 1991 at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. In 1993, the Labeau’s would travel to Kuwait during “Operation Desert Peace,” where 191 other family members of those killed were honored by the Kuwaiti government. While Sergeant Michael O’Brien would permanently leave the Army after his discharge on January 8, 1992.

Sergeant LaBeau-O’Brien’s awards in the shadow box, from top to bottom, proper right to left are as follows:

Ribbon Bars: Bronze Star Medal with V-device, Purple Heart Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal with Bronze Clasp, National Defense Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal

Medals: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal with Bronze Clasp, National Defense Service Medal

Insignia: 1st Infantry Division and Sergeant E-5 Chevrons

Brass placard inscription states: “Sergeant Cheryl O’Brien, U.S. Army, March 1986 – February 1991”