Female MP Iraq Veteran To Receive Pat Tillman Award

ESPYs to honor basketball star turned wounded warrior
Military Times
By Leo Shane III, Staff writer
June 16, 2015

The network received a backlash from conservative commentators for the selection, and criticism within military communities for not honoring any one of numerous service members with links to athletics.

Green was one of the first female service members injured in Iraq. 

(Photo: Courtesy of Danielle Green)

A college basketball star turned wounded Army veteran will be the second recipient of the Pat Tillman Award for Service at next month's ESPY Awards ceremony, designed to honor the year's best sports moments and personalities.

Danielle Green, an Army specialist who lost an arm in a 2004 attack in Iraq, will receive the award for inspirational service and patriotism at the July 15 awards ceremony, being broadcast nationally on ABC. Hers will be among the first awards presented at the event, before a crowd of professional athletes and celebrities.

In an interview with Military Times, Green called the award a surprise and an honor, especially given its namesake.

"Pat Tillman was an extraordinary human being," she said. "I remember reading about him 11 years ago, I was hurt a month after he was hurt. So I just feel honored and grateful to be part of his legacy."

The award announcement Tuesday comes just a few days after ESPN announced it will give the Arthur Ashe Courage Award during the ESPY event to Caitlyn Jenner, the former track and field Olympian who recently went public with her struggles as a transgender woman.

As a specialist in the 571st Military Police Company, she lost her lower left arm in a rocket-propelled grenade attack in Baghdad in May 2004. Green was one of the first female service members injured in Iraq, and was medically retired from the service about seven months later.
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