SAVED: Teenage war hero Jessica

PROUD: Private Jessica in uniform

BRAVE: On stretcher after rescue

HAPPY: Beaming baseball fan Jessica

PRETTY: Picture perfect pose in pink

'We wholeheartedly back your Yellow Ribbon campaign. What you're doing for the troops is just amazing...' GREGORY and DEADRA LYNCH

Jessie's got broken legs, a busted arm and spine injuries... but we knew she'd be fine when she asked for her hairbrush

EXCLUSIVE by Carole Aye Maung

WHEN the parents of rescued teenage war hero Jessica Lynch realised their girl was going to be OK, they wanted to share their joy with the News of the World.

Gregory and Deadra Lynch wore yellow ribbons while their 19-year-old was missing in action.

And—as Jessica now recovers in Germany from broken legs, a fractured arm, head and spinal injuries, gunshot wounds and probable torture during her 10 days as a PoW— they gave us an exclusive interview all about their incredibly brave girl.

Flowers

"Jessie is in good spirits," said Deadra. "We know because they're going to put pink castes on her. And she's been asking for a hairbrush and things that girls would ask for.

"She told us she'd received some flowers—and we said we had a whole porch full back home waiting for her. We also told her she's a hero. She felt very good about that."

We were the only newspaper invited into the Lynch's 77-acre homestead in Palestine, West Virginia, where they revealed they were backing our Yellow Ribbon campaign.

They said: "It's phenomenal and we back it wholeheartedly. What you are doing is amazing. We really appreciate what you've done for Jessie and for all the other troops."

Supply Clerk Jessica and 14 other soldiers from the 507th Maintenance Company were ambushed near Nasiriyah in southern Iraq two weeks ago. Five of their faces were beamed around the world, but there was no news of Jessica.

All America—and Britain—feared the worst. But Gregory, 43, Deadra, 40, Jessica's soldier brother Gregory Jnr, 21, and sister Brandi, 17, NEVER gave up hope. And last Tuesday their prayers were answered.

In a dramatic midnight raid US special forces stormed an Iraqi hospital after receiving information she was being held there.

While she was missing, the family pored over treasured photos of Jessica—photos they now want to share with News of the World readers.

In one, beaming Jessica waves her favourite baseball bat. In another, she poses prettily in pink. And in every picture it's clear what a stunner blonde Jessica was going to be. But the former Miss Congeniality beauty queen wants to use her brains as well as her looks. She dreams of becoming a teacher.

That's why she joined the Army— enlisting as part of an early entry system made her eligible to apply for a college education grant.

She joined up on September 12, 2001, the day after the 9/11 horror, and, said Gregory, "became proud of being a good soldier".

Lucky

He and Deadra also gave us a peek at one of their daughter's diaries, called Memories of Jessica Lynch, Class of 2001. She wrote:

"If I could live my life all over again, I would most likely live it exactly the same. I believe everything happens for a purpose, whether God paralyzes a person or sends them a million dollars. I never understood why horrible accidents happen. That's why I consider myself lucky for now."

The faith and optimism shown in those words must have helped Jessie survive her 10 days as a PoW.

She was only saved after an Iraqi lawyer visiting the hospital saw a militia thug beating up the stricken teenager. He tipped off the US army—and the rest is history.

But yesterday it emerged Jessie's injuries were sustained AFTER her capture and that torture equipment was found by her bed. Gregory said: "Jessica hasn't spoken about what happened to her. She's still having psychological therapy."

But despite everything, she was able to joke with staff at the Landstuhl military hospital. Col David Rubenstein revealed she was looking forward to "turkey, apple sauce, and steamed carrots like Mum makes".

Deadra confirmed Jessica had been shot. Medics found two entry and exit wounds "consistent with low-velocity, small-calibre rounds". She's had two operations this week — one on her back, the other on her legs and right forearm.

Gregory said: "It's going to take time before she's fully recovered."

Until then Jessica is being shielded from the news that her rescuers found 11 bodies at the Saddam Hospital. At least five are believed to be her colleagues.

Now all her mum and dad want to do is see their daughter. Gregory said: "As soon as she says she's ready, we'll be on our way..."