A Soldier's Story: Major Marie Therese Rossi

Major Marie Therese Rossi was born on January 3, 1959, in Oradell, New Jersey. She graduated from Riverdell Regional High School in 1976 before attending Dickinson College, where she majored in Psychology and was a member of the US Army ROTC. She graduated in 1980.

She trained as a CH-47 Chinook pilot and was assigned to the 18th Aviation brigade. Major Marie Rossi rose through the ranks to hold command positions and was the commanding officer of B Company when the 18th Aviation Brigade deployed to Saudi Arabia for Desert Storm/Desert Shield and the Gulf War.

On February 24, 1991, when the ground assault began, Major Marie Rossi led the Chinook pipeline, ferrying the supplies, ammunition, and communications equipment to the soldiers on the ground, and became the first American female aviation combat commander to fly into battle.

Major Marie Therese Rossi would be killed on March 1, 1991, when her helicopter collided with an unilluminated tower during a night mission.  

She rests at Arlington.

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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia. 

In addition to the travel writings at www.takethebackroads.com, you can also read her book reviews at www.riteoffancy.com and US military biographies at www.everydaypatriot.com

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