Veterans Roll of Honor: KATHERINE T. PLATONI

Branch of Service: United States Army

Rank: Colonel

Service history: In 2001, Col. Platoni deployed to Ground Zero in support of the New York Police Department in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. She also served as commander of the 1972nd Medical Detachment (Combat Stress Control) at Guantanamo Bay Cuba from 2003-2004. Volunteering to return to active duty within weeks of her redeployment from Joint Task Force-GTMO, Dr. Platoni deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, serving as Deputy Commander of Clinical Services for the 55th Medical Company (Combat Stress Control, CSC) in Baghdad and seven other locations, and finally as Officer in Charge of Team Ar Ramadi, during the insurgent uprising and it's intensive combat.

At the invitation of the 3rd Brigade Commander, 3rd Infantry Division upon the conclusion of her tour of duty in Iraq, Dr. Platoni reported to Fort Benning, Georgia for an additional six months to provide reintegration services to the 69th Armored Regiment. She arrived at Fort Hood, Texas on 4 November 2009 in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan; the next day, Major Nidal Hasan shot and killed 13 fellow soldiers (including 3 from her unit) and wounding 30 more.

Dr. Platoni deployed to Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010 with the 467th Medical Detachment (CSC), serving as Clinical Advisor for the medical detachment and Officer in Charge of Team Wilson, Kandahar Province, and Camp Phoenix in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Awards and Decorations:
Meritorious Service Medal (3OLC)
Army Commendation Medal (2OLC)
Global War On Terrorism Service Medal
Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal (1 bronze star)
Afghanistan Campaign Medal (1 bronze star)
Iraq Campaign Medal
NATO Medal with ISAF bar