Coughlin, Paula A. (c. 1961–)

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Coughlin, Paula A. (c. 1961–)

American helicopter pilot and whistleblower. Born c. 1961.

Whistleblower on Tailhook, was a Navy lieutenant, helicopter pilot and admiral's aide when she and 26 other women (14 of them officers) were sexually assaulted during a rowdy party by Naval aviators attending a Tailhook Aviators convention (Sept 7, 1991); sought redress through the appropriate channels but hit a stone wall; put career on the line and went public with the help of ABC News to demand that the Navy bring justice to her attackers (June 1992); efforts resulted in Congressional hearings, resignation of secretary of the Navy, and a Pentagon investigation; resigned from the Navy (Feb 1995).

See also tv movie "She Stood Alone: The Tailhook Scandal," starring Gail O'Grady (1995).

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