Jessica Lynch

Jessica Dawn Lynch (born April 26, 1983) is a former United States Army soldier who served in the 2003 invasion of Iraq by U.S. and allied forces. On March 23, 2003, Private First Class Lynch was serving as a unit supply specialist with the 507th Maintenance Company when her convoy was ambushed by Iraqi forces during the Battle of Nasiriyah. Lynch was seriously injured and captured. Her subsequent recovery by U.S. Special Operations Forces on April 1, 2003, received considerable media coverage and was the first successful rescue of an American prisoner of war since Vietnam and the first ever of a woman.

Initial official reports on Lynch's capture and rescue in Iraq were incorrect. On April 24, 2007, she testified in front of Congress that she had never fired her weapon (her M16 rifle having jammed), and that she had been knocked unconscious when her vehicle crashed. Lynch has been outspoken in her criticism of the original stories reported regarding her combat experience. When asked about her heroine status, she stated "That wasn't me. I'm not about to take credit for something I didn't do... I'm just a survivor."

Jessica Lynch (Miss New York)

Jessica Lynch Renzi held the title of Miss New York in 2003 and competed in the Miss America 2004 pageant.

Miss New York

Lynch competed in the Miss New York pageant as Miss New York City. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.A. in Theater. Her talent was ballet and she began her formal ballet training at the age of 10 with Ballet Memphis. She was seen in the ensemble of the world famous Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacluar. Her platform was "Combating Teenage Depression and Suicide" because she struggled with depression and wanted to help others going through similar experiences.

Personal life

Lynch married David Renzi, took his surname and had two sons. As of 2008, she teaches at the In Motion School of Dance, and co-organized the Miss Northern New York 2008 pageant.

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