Major Rhonda Cornum: Gulf War POW/American Hero

Survived Blackhawk being shot down with multiple injuries

As a flight surgeon for the 229th Attack Helicopter Regiment, Major Cornum was en route to the crash of an f-16 pilot who had been shot down in the first Gulf War. When the helo she was in took enemy fire and crashed, Cornum suffered two broken arms, a broken finger, a gunshot wound to the back and other injuries. Taken prisoner, she was assaulted by an Iraqi guard and suffered mock executions by guards. Less than a month later she was released and repatriated to her command after some recovery time. During her ordeal she told herself that “Nobody’s ever died from pain” as a way to acknowledge that she was alive, albeit in dire circumstances. A lot about valor and courage can be learned from Major Cornum’s exemplary conduct in the most difficult of trials. Valor is in you. Set it free.