May 17
Who was the first female Canadian soldier to be killed in combat?
Captain Nichola K.S. Goddard, M.S.M., holds a distinguished place in Canadian military history as the first female soldier killed in combat, and the first army officer since the Korean War to direct artillery fire against the enemy. Her death occurred on May 17, 2006, during a fierce firefight with Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan, marking a pivotal moment for women in Canada’s armed forces. Goddard’s final resting place is the National Military Cemetery in Ottawa, where her legacy continues to inspire and remind the nation of her service and sacrifice.
