Cartney McRaven was born Cartney Jean Koch on August 31, 1975, in Sturgis, South Dakota. She enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on September 14, 1993, and completed basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas, in November 1993. After completing communications training she was assigned to the 32nd Combat Communications Squadron of the 3rd Combat Communications Group at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, until she was killed at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on April 19, 1995. During her time with the 32nd Combat Communications Squadron, A1C McRaven deployed to Haiti in support of Operation Uphold Democracy from November 1994 to April 7, 1995, and she was the 32nd Communications Squadron's airman of the Year for 1994. She married SRA Anthony Shane McRaven on April 15, 1995, and was at the Murrah Federal Building registering her name change when a bomb exploded, killing her and 170 other people in the area. Cartney McRaven was buried at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota.

The Airman's Creed:

I am an American Airman.
I am a Warrior.
I have answered my Nation's call.

I am an American Airman.
My mission is to Fly, Fight, and Win.
I am faithful to a Proud Heritage,
A Tradition of Honor,
And a Legacy of Valor.

I am an American Airman.
Guardian of Freedom and Justice,
My Nation's Sword and Shield,
Its Sentry and Avenger.
I defend my Country with my Life.

I am an American Airman.
Wingman, Leader, Warrior.
I will never leave an Airman behind,
I will never falter,
And I will not fail.