Twenty-seven field artillery spouses were inducted into the Honorable Order of Molly Pitcher at the 434th Field Artillery Brigade ball at the Hilton Garden Inn in Lawton, Feb. 24.
The review board looked at a variety of criteria, such as volunteer and community outreach efforts of those who have been nominated.
"For me, receiving the Molly Pitcher Award is an honor. I've supported my husband throughout his career and through multiple deployments. I will continue to support him, his unit, and the families in the unit," said Jessica Gill.
The 27 inducted were Rachel Adair, Kaci Bennett, Elizabeth Caslen, Nicole Dorman, Amanda Dupont, Heather Gengler, Jessica Gill, Erica Henson, Sarah Kline, Natalya Kneefel, Vanessa Lang, Crystal Lewis, Sarah Lewman, Briana Meraz, Jeanese Noland, Jennifer Ortiz, Jasmine Pena, Tiffany Pfhalert, Jessica Pickering, Kimberly Pittman, Lydia Redmond, Xienia Rodriguez, Guadalupe Seeker, Vanessa Soto, Danielle Steppe, Jessica Sulaj, Keri Teufel, and Amanda Theus.
The award's origins date back to the Revolutionary War when the wives of Soldiers accompanied their husbands into battle. These women would be on hand to help in whatever way needed -- whether to bandage wounds, prepare meals, or just hold things together at camp.
When her husband, John Hays, enlisted as a gunner in the Continental Army, Pitcher followed him to the field during the Philadelphia Campaign, which included the Battle on Monmouth fought in Freehold, N.J., in June 1778.
On a particularly hot day, Molly started making trips to a nearby spring to bring water for the Soldiers to drink and splash on their cannons to keep the barrels cool. She made countless trips back and forth, earning her the nickname "Molly Pitcher."
But her efforts to support and revive her husband's unit far exceeded just bringing them water.
When she saw her husband collapse at his cannon, she took his place, manning the weapon throughout the remainder of the battle until the colonists achieved victory.
Because of her actions that day, the legend of Molly Pitcher became an enduring symbol of the women who helped contribute to the American revolution.
For surpassing expectations of how women supported his army and for displaying exceptional courage and determination during the Battle on Monmouth, Gen. George Washington issued a warrant recognizing Pitcher as a noncommissioned officer.
Today, instead of following their spouses into battle, spouses are awarded the Molly Pitcher Award for their contributions to the field artillery community. Also, the Honorable Order of Molly Pitcher recognizes the voluntary efforts of individuals who have contributed in a significant way to the field artillery community.
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