Illinois Army National Guard Officer Retires after More Than Two Decades of Service

Wounded Warrior Lt. Col. Ladda "Tammy" Duckworth of Hoffman Estates officially retires from the Army

SPRINGFIELD, IL (08/19/2015)(readMedia)-- The Illinois Army National Guard held a retirement ceremony for Lt. Col. Ladda "Tammy" Duckworth of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, an Illinois Army National Soldier with Joint Force Headquarters.

Duckworth served in the Army for more than 23 years. Duckworth commissioned with the Army Reserves in May 1992 and joined the Illinois Army National Guard in 1996. In 2004, she deployed to Iraq as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot for the Illinois Army National Guard. Her helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade Nov. 12, 2004. Duckworth lost both legs and partial use of her right arm in the explosion and received a Purple Heart for her combat injuries.

Upon her retirement, Lt. Col. Duckworth received the Meritorious Service Medal and the Illinois Military Medal of Merit. Lt. Col. Duckworth is a Congresswomen in her civilian life, representing the 8th Illinois Congressional District. She is married to Illinois Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bryan Bowlsbey and the couple has a 9-month-old daughter, Abigail.