American Legion Post 28 presents portrait to family of fallen military pilot
http://www.goupstate.com/article/201...ilitary-pilot-
Army Capt. Kimberly Hampton of Easley was the first female military pilot killed in combat, but now her smile will never be forgotten.
The characteristic was prominently featured in the 4-foot by 6-foot dedication painting that portrayed the U.S. Army Captain standing in uniform in front of her OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter.
Ann Hampton stands in front of the painting of her daughter, U.S. Army Capt. Kimberly Hampton, who was the first female military pilot killed in combat. The painting was commissioned by the American Legion Post 28 in Spartanburg. Charleston-based artist Bob Wilson, Jr. was commissioned to create the painting
Hampton lived her dream of commanding a U.S. Army Calvary Air Troop and died as a footnote in U.S. history – the first female military pilot killed in combat, said retired Brig. Gen. Ed Hall, past commander and historian for the American Legion Post 28 in Spartanburg.
Hall coordinated an effort to give Kimberly Hampton's family a commissioned portrait on behalf of the post and to dedicate a brick in her honor to add to the Veterans Commemorative Walk in Duncan Park.
Hampton graduated from Easley High School before enrolling at Furman University in Greenville and later Presbyterian College in Clinton.
She joined the U.S. Army after flight training and later became a captain in command of the Delta Troop, 1st Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, N.C.
She died Jan. 2, 2004, after her helicopter was shot down on the outskirts of Fallujah, Iraq. She was 27.
Capt. Kimberly Hampton in her Kiowa helicopter
She became the first female pilot to be killed from hostile fire in U.S. history and was the first female from South Carolina to die in combat in Iraq.
Hall felt compelled to honor Kimberly Hampton after meeting her mother, Ann Hampton, at a Military Officers Association of America meeting last spring, he said.
The characteristic was prominently featured in the 4-foot by 6-foot dedication painting that portrayed the U.S. Army Captain standing in uniform in front of her OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter.
Ann Hampton stands in front of the painting of her daughter, U.S. Army Capt. Kimberly Hampton, who was the first female military pilot killed in combat. The painting was commissioned by the American Legion Post 28 in Spartanburg. Charleston-based artist Bob Wilson, Jr. was commissioned to create the painting
Hampton lived her dream of commanding a U.S. Army Calvary Air Troop and died as a footnote in U.S. history – the first female military pilot killed in combat, said retired Brig. Gen. Ed Hall, past commander and historian for the American Legion Post 28 in Spartanburg.
Hall coordinated an effort to give Kimberly Hampton's family a commissioned portrait on behalf of the post and to dedicate a brick in her honor to add to the Veterans Commemorative Walk in Duncan Park.
Hampton graduated from Easley High School before enrolling at Furman University in Greenville and later Presbyterian College in Clinton.
She joined the U.S. Army after flight training and later became a captain in command of the Delta Troop, 1st Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, N.C.
She died Jan. 2, 2004, after her helicopter was shot down on the outskirts of Fallujah, Iraq. She was 27.
Capt. Kimberly Hampton in her Kiowa helicopter
She became the first female pilot to be killed from hostile fire in U.S. history and was the first female from South Carolina to die in combat in Iraq.
Hall felt compelled to honor Kimberly Hampton after meeting her mother, Ann Hampton, at a Military Officers Association of America meeting last spring, he said.