11/04/2026
Ladda Tammy Duckworth was born March 12, 1968, in Bangkok, Thailand, and spent her childhood across Asia—living in Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia, and Vietnam—before settling in Honolulu, Hawaii. She earned a B.A. from the University of Hawaii in 1989 and an M.A. in International Affairs from George Washington University in 1992, where she joined ROTC and graduated top of her class, drawn to flying helicopters as one of the closest combat roles available to women at the time.
She later moved to Illinois to pursue a Ph.D. at Northern Illinois University while continuing service in the Reserve Forces. As a Captain in the Illinois National Guard, she deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004. On November 12, 2004, her Blackhawk helicopter was struck by an RPG that exploded in her lap. Initially presumed dead, she survived after extensive medical care, losing both legs and partial use of her right arm. She received a Purple Heart for her sacrifice and service.
Duckworth was evacuated to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where she spent 13 months recovering after waking from a week-long coma. During recovery, she began advocating for fellow wounded veterans, working with Senator Dick Durbin to address issues like housing, recovery support, and unpaid benefits. She adapted to life using a wheelchair and a steel-and-titanium prosthetic.
After recovering, Duckworth became Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs, launching innovative programs to support veterans, while continuing her service as a Major in the National Guard. In 2009, President Obama appointed her Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs, where she led efforts to reduce veteran homelessness and expand support for female veterans. She retired from the Army in 2014 as a Lieutenant Colonel after 23 years of service.
Continuing her advocacy in public office, Duckworth served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2017 before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016.
