Linda L. Bray was born in Sanford, North Carolina in 1960. She joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps in 1981 while enrolled at Western Carolina University. She holds degrees in criminal justice and military science, and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant June 1983.

Ms. Bray continued on active duty in the U.S. Army until 1991. By December 1989, Ms. Bray had been promoted to the rank of Captain and was assigned as Commanding Officer of the 988th Military Police Company at Fort Benning. That year, she and her company were deployed to Panama as support for Operation Just Cause. The initial mission was a routine operation to secure an attack-dog kennel on the periphery of Panama City, but the kennel was heavily defended.

Though her team used bull-horns and warning shots to attempt to clear the area, the defenders refused to surrender.

The subsequent engagement became a 3 hour fire-fight involving grenades as well as machine gun and rifle fire. The interaction resulted in the death of three and the capture of one of General Manuel Noriega’s troops.

At the time of this event, it was illegal for women to engage in combat. MPs were supposed to function in a combat-support role. The situation deteriorated to a point requiring action, and Capt. Bray took action. She received the Meritorious Service Award, a recognition of non-combat meritorious service, but that award was later upgraded and, on December 8, 2023, Capt. Bray was presented with the Bronze Star with V Device.

As a direct result of the actions of Capt. Bray and her team, Rep. Patricia Schroeder drafted legislation allowing women to serve in combat on a test basis. The legislation failed and the Direct Ground Combat Definition and Assignment Rule was issued by the Department of Defense in 1994. This rule excluded women from engaging in combat. It was not until January 24, 2013, that the rule was rescinded by Secretary of Defense, clearing the way for women to serve fully in the armed forces.

Ms. Bray retired from the Army on April 16, 1991, due to a non-combat injury. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband, Randy Bray, III.