KSU grad and 1st Lt. Ashley White killed in Afghanistan
The Department of Defense announced Sunday the death of National Guard 1st Lt. Ashley White, a 2009 Kent State alumna.
White, 24, of Alliance, was traveling with the 230th Brigade Support Battalion in Kandahar in Southern Afghanistan. She was killed, along with two other soldiers during combat operations, when enemy forces attacked with an explosive device.
White, who was on her first deployment to Afghanistan, completed the medical services officer basic course at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and the U.S. Army basic airborne course at Fort Benning, Ga.
She had volunteered for the Cultural Support Team that works with women and children in the region.
Emily Horne, a Chi Omega sorority sister at Kent State, said, “She never would turn down a challenge. She was always willing to try her hardest to do something that might be difficult or others might not be willing to do.”
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Those words were echoed by the commander of the North Carolina National Guard, who said White never shied away from tough jobs. She ran track and field and cross-country in high school and received a degree in athletic training at Kent State. She married Army Capt. Jason Stumpf five months ago.
At least one other female soldier from the area has died in recent years while serving overseas, although the other death was not combat-related.
“Her awards and decorations include the Parachute Badge, the Ohio Faithful Service Ribbon, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Army Reserve Achievement Medal and the National Defense Service Medal,” a news release said.
White will be posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Combat Action Badge.
In a biographical sketch released by the Army, White is described as someone “who selflessly served and her actions exemplify the highest commitment to duty, honor and country.”
“In every instance, she served with distinction in support of the task force and our great nation,” the release said.
Information was taken from MCT Campus and WKSU articles.