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In Memoriam: Ranger Harry Stewart
1SGT, US Army, Retired
1SGT. (Ret.) Harry Charles Stewart, 68, of Phenix City, died on Monday, 29 March 2004, at Columbus Regional Medical Center.
As of this writing, graveside services, with full military honors, will be held Friday, April 2 at 1 p.m. EST at Main Post Cemetery, Fort Benning, Ga., with the Rev. Mike Koger officiating, according to Vance Memorial Chapel, Phenix City. Visitation will be held Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
1SGT. Stewart was born on the 19th of November 1935, son of the late Clare and Minerva Stewart (Kelley) in Binghampton, N.Y. He graduated from Virgil Central High School and joined the U.S. Army at the age of 18. He proudly served his country as an Airborne Ranger in Germany, Korea, Vietnam, and the Congo.
His service in Vietnam was with the 35th and 36th Vietnamese Ranger Battalions in which he was awarded the Silver Star for Gallantry in Action, where he overcome heavy enemy fire, and rescued a fellow ranger that was wounded on the battlefield. He was awarded the Bronze Star for Gallantry in Action, and the Purple Heart during the TET offensive 1968. He was awarded once again the Bronze Star in 1972. Other awards included the Medal of Honor from the Republic of Vietnam, and the Medal of Gallantry also from the Republic of Vietnam.
He served as an instructor at the Fort Benning Ranger Department from 1972 until 1974. In 1974, he was 1st Sgt. in the "Charley Rangers" Co. 1/29th Infantry. He retired from the U.S. Army in 1975 and lived in Russell County, Alabama.
While working with Dunkin' Donuts, he was known as the "Donut Man." He was a member of Hillside Methodist Church in Phenix City and a member of the Phenix City Art Council. He lived his private life as he lived his military life: always doing for others, and never knowing a stranger.
He is survived by his wife, June Stewart, Phenix City; three daughters, Patricia Ann Cunningham and husband Mark, Sharpsburg, Ga., Robin Dimattia and husband Mark of Phenix City, and Kathy Evans and husband Jeff of Phenix City; four sons, Charles Stewart and wife Paula, Mobile, Ala., Robert F. Stewart and wife Lori, Nashville, Tenn., Steven Stewart and wife Theresa of Columbus, James Ranck and wife Theresa, North Glenn, Colo.; a sister, Faith Torres of Binghamton, N.Y.; 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
This information courtesy of the WAR Webmaster.
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