General Douglas McArthur said: “The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.”

Curtis Stonecipher died April 25, succumbing to the wounds of wars, which had ravished his body for a time, including the loss of his left hand and his exposure to Agent Orange in the Vietnam War. However, his military life was one he chose and one he lived with pride despite his injuries and scars.

Curtis Stonecipher knew when he was a young teenager that he wanted to be a soldier and serve in the Army. “He was military all the way,” said Stonecipher’s widow, Bobbie.

Curtis joined the National Guard while in high school and soon after graduation, joined the regular Army. He served in the military 25 years before retiring.

Curtis had spent the last four years of his life at Ivy Hall Nursing Home battling Parkinson’s Disease.

He served in the Vietnam War and earned the National Defense Medal, three Vietnam Service Medals, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Bronze Star, the Overseas Service Bar, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, the Combat Infantry Badge, three Purple Hearts, the Parachutist Badge, the Army Achievement Medal, four Overseas Service Ribbons, the Army Service Ribbon, the Mechanic Badge, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Curtis served in the Special Forces, having been stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky., before being sent to Vietnam. “He was very proud of his military service, but felt badly that Vietnam veterans were often shunned when they came home. It was a war that divided our country,” said Bobbie.

She and Curtis were high school sweethearts and married after graduation. “The kids and I usually went where he was stationed when we could. He traveled for 20 years, and we went to Germany, lived at Ft. Campbell, Fort Benning, Ga., and Fort McClellan, Ala., among other places. He was a good soldier, a good husband, and a wonderful father and grandfather,” Bobbie said.

According to a 2010 “Who’s On The Wall” story, Curtis’ regiment was one of the first to invade Cambodia in the late 1960s. “We broke the trail going into Highway 13,” he said.

His unit was involved in several gun fights during the war. He was wounded in 1970 and sent back to Fort Campbell. He lost the use of his left hand, when it was burned badly during a blast, requiring several skin drafts.

He was given a medical discharge, and fought for six years to get back into the military. The Army finally relented and let him come back as an instructor, working in the motor pool. He served as a motor sergeant until he finally retired in 1969.

In addition to suffering the loss of his left hand, Curtis was exposed to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam, which resulted in his developing Parkinson’s Disease.

“Curtis always went hard at whatever he did. He gave everything to his work. After he left the military, he worked as a millwright, at Snap-on Tools, and as a zone engineer at Quillen Rehabilitation. He also worked with the American Legion,” Bobbie said.

Curtis enjoyed collecting diecast cars, trucks, and motorcycles, acquiring a collection of more than 350 of the models. His favorite was a Tennessee State Trooper car.

“Curtis would tackle anything. He especially enjoyed tinkering with motors and working on cars,” Bobbie said.

She said her husband didn’t talk much about Vietnam. “He always said that was something that needed to be left alone. I’m sure he talked with other veterans about it, but mostly he kept quiet about it,” Bobbie said.

Curtis now has a grandson, Heath Baker, following in his steps. Heath is serving in the U.S. Army and is working with helicopters. “Curtis was very proud of Heath’s choice,” said Bobbie.

Curtis and Bobbie were the parents of a son and a daughter, and have eight grandchildren.

Sunday, April 30, SFC Curtis Stonecipher was laid to rest at Happy Valley Memorial Park with full military honors. He was 77 years old. Just as he fought, he lived and served, and died with courage and character.