In full: Lori Ann Piestewa (Show more) Also called: Qotsa-hon-mana or Köcha-hon-mana (Show more) (Hopi:: White Bear Girl) (Show more) Born: December 14, 1979, Tuba City, Arizona, U.S. (Show more) Died: March 23, 2003, Al-Nāṣiriyyah, Iraq (Show more) Lori Piestewa (born December 14, 1979, Tuba City, Arizona, U.S.—died March 23, 2003, Al-Nāṣiriyyah, Iraq) was a U.S. Army soldier who became the first American servicewoman to perish in the Iraq War (2003–11) and the first Native American servicewoman in history to die in combat on foreign soil. Piestewa was captured by enemy forces during an ambush in Iraq and mortally wounded. She was awarded the Purple Heart, a military decoration bestowed on service members for bravery in action, and she received many other commemorations. A member of the Hopi people, Piestewa was born to Terry and Priscilla (“Percy”; née ...(100 of 943 words) Access the full article Help support true facts by becoming a member. Subscribe today!