HISTORIC MEMO Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, sign a memo to lift the ban on women in military combat operations during a press conference at the Pentagon, Jan. 24, 2013. Army Lt. Col. Tamatha Patterson looked on during the signing. SHARE: Download: Full Size (0.06 MB) Credit: VIRIN: 423838-V-NWY95-708.jpg Photo Gallery