Lena Karlsson

Intro  Sergeant First Class Lena “Valkyrie” Karlsson Unit: 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment Date of Birth: May 22, 1970 Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota SFC Lena Karlsson's path to the US Army wasn't a conventional one. Growing up in Minneapolis, she was a standout athlete, drawn to the challenge and discipline of team sports. Her parents, both academics, encouraged her to pursue a college degree, but Lena felt a stronger pull toward service and a desire to test her limits in the most demanding environment she could find. She enlisted in the Army in 1989 and, against incredible odds, graduated from Ranger School, a feat accomplished through relentless determination and physical prowess that impressed even her toughest instructors. Her peers quickly came to respect her for her quiet professionalism and her incredible endurance. Her callsign, "Valkyrie," was a nod to her Swedish heritage and her fierce, almost mythical, courage under fire. In August 1993, SFC Karlsson deployed with her unit to Mogadishu, Somalia, as part of Operation Gothic Serpent. Her role was critical, serving as a combat medic and fire team leader. She possessed a unique blend of tactical acumen and compassionate care, able to provide rapid medical treatment while maintaining situational awareness in the most chaotic of scenarios. She was part of Chalk Two on board Super 6-4, the helicopter that was tragically shot down early in the operation. She survived the initial crash with a shrapnel wound to her leg, but immediately began triaging the wounded in the wreckage, her own injury taking a backseat to the needs of her comrades. As the situation deteriorated, and enemy militia swarmed their position, Lena worked tirelessly. She applied tourniquets, patched wounds, and provided critical aid to her fellow Rangers. When the ground convoy arrived, SFC Karlsson refused to be evacuated, instead helping to establish a defensive perimeter and continuing her critical work. Throughout the long, brutal night