ASU's Office for Veteran and Military Academic Engagement Speaker Series

The Office for Veteran and Military Academic Engagement (OVMAE) is kicking off their speaker series with Jessica Lynch, U.S. Army veteran and former prisoner of war during the Iraq War. Over breakfast, Jessica will share her story of courage, survival and resilience — along with where life has taken her since her time in uniform.

 

This is a rare chance to sit with her, hear her journey firsthand and be inspired by the strength and perspective she brings.

 

The OVMAE welcomes powerful veteran voices to the ASU community.

 

After high school In 2001, Jessica joined the U.S. Army with her brother and entered basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. She later trained for her military occupational speciality as unit supply specialist at Fort Lee, Virginia, before being stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas. In 2003, Jessica's unit was deployed to Kuwait with standby orders for Iraq. While in Iraq, she was taken prisoner when her convoy was ambushed by Iraqi forces during the Battle of Nasiriyah. She was rescued after nine days, but sustained severe injuries — some of which she is still recovering from. The rescue was the first successful recovery of an American POW since World War II and the first involving a female POW. She was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and POW medals for her bravery. Following her time in the U.S. Army, Jessica completed her bachelor's degree in elementary education and her master's degree in communication studies. Today, she shares her story with audiences across the country and advocates and supports fellow veterans as the women veterans program director with the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance.