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Mt. Jewett native has distinguished Army career |
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Written by Publisher
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Saturday, 20 June 2009 |
Photo by Ted Lutz
Lt. Col. Lisa A. Forsyth, a Mt. Jewett native, poses with her family during a recent visit home. The group includes her mother, Ellen; her daughter, Sarah; and her son, Eddie.
By Ted Lutz
Republican Staff
Lt. Col. Lisa A. Forsyth, a native of Mt. Jewett, has moved up the career ladder with the U.S. Army.
A 1983 graduate of Kane Area High School, Forsyth joined the Pennsylvania Army National Guard to take advantage of benefits for college.
But after graduating from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) in 1989 with a degree in biology, she soon realized that she was ready for a career with the Army.
"I wanted to make something for myself," Forsyth said in discussing her decision to go full-time with the Army. She said the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001, also influenced her plan for a military career,
Forsyth earned a masters degree in environmental science from Drexel University in Philadelphia in 1991. That same year she was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant in the Army and completed the Army Medical Department basic course. She has completed various other Army courses.
Forsyth began her active duty career in 1991 at Fort Lewis, Wash. where she served as the environmental science officer for the 199th Infantry Brigade (Motorized) and then for the 2nd Armor Calvary Regiment (Light). She later headed the 227th Medical Detachment.
From 1995-97, Forsyth served as the chief of operations and later chief of environmental health at the Martin Army Community Hospital at Fort Benning, Ga. While holding this position, she was deployed to Honduras in support of a joint task force.
From 1998-2000, Forsyth served as the executive officer and later as chief of environmental health engineering branch at the Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine-North. This assignment also included duty in Central America following Hurricane Mitch.
Forsyth commanded the 38th Medical Department in Seoul, Korea in 2000-02. From 2005-07, Forsyth served with the Army Special Operations Command and was deployed in Iraq as the chief of public health for the 322nd Civil Affairs Battalion. She later served as the battalion operations officer for the 448th Civil Affairs Battalion.
Forsyth recently completed duty at the Pentagon. She soon will be based with Homeland Defense at Fort Sam Houston in Texas.
In recognition of her distinguished service, Forsyth has received the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters and the Army Staff Identification Badge. Her military awards include the Combat Action Badge, the Expert Field Medical Badge, the Army Parachutist Badge and the Australian Parachutist Badge. Forsyth also is a member of the Order of Military Medical Merit.
"It's been very challenging," Forsyth said in discussing her Army career. "The Army gives you the opportunity to be everything you want to be and more. The Army helps you develop skills. There's a place for everyone in the Army."
As an example, she said she had the chance to participate in training with paratroopers.
Forsyth is the daughter of Ellen Forsyth of Anderson Street, Mt. Jewett, and the late Jerry Forsyth. She has a 15-year-old son, Eddie and an 8-year-old daughter, Sarah.
Her siblings include sisters Susan Todd of Cleveland, Julie Boyer of Kane and the late John Forsyth.
While at Kane High School, Forsyth participated in track, volleyball and cross country. She ran the mile and the two-mile relay at the state track meet.
"I knew everyone in Mt. Jewett," Forsyth said in recalling her youth. She returned home in May as the guest speaker for the annual Memorial Day program in Mt. Jewett.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 29 October 2009 )
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