First Lieutenant Jerry Damon Pruitt, Army/U.S. Army Reserve, Deceased.

Jerry Damon Pruitt was born in Etowah, Arkansas, on February 25, 1944. He spent his early years in rural Arkansas, assisting his family and attending Osceola High School, from which he graduated in 1962. Pruitt began his undergraduate studies at the University of Arkansas and spent the summer after his junior year working as an oceanographer for the U.S. Navy under contract in 1965. Although he was advised that this employment would make him exempt from the draft, Pruitt was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1966 and subsequently reported to Fort Polk, Louisiana.

In 1967, he completed Infantry Officer Training at Fort Benning, Georgia, earning a commission as a Second Lieutenant. Motivated to apply his training, Pruitt was deployed to Vietnam, where by August 1968, he served as Reconnaissance Platoon Leader in the Combined Reconnaissance Intelligence Platoon (CRIP), Company E, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. On November 13, 1968, First Lieutenant Pruitt was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action. According to the citation, while engaging enemy forces during a mission to locate the Viet Cong Infrastructure, Lieutenant Pruitt demonstrated exceptional bravery by exposing himself to hostile fire, organizing a cordon, leading troops into a stronghold, and coordinating mechanized units under fire, actions which significantly contributed to the operation's success.

Pruitt also received the Bronze Star Medal with "V” device and Oak Leaf Cluster for further acts of courage. Following his release from active duty on June 19, 1969, he resumed his education, completed a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, and earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas Law School in 1972. He was admitted to the Bar in 1973 and maintained a distinguished private law practice in Fort Smith, Arkansas, until his retirement in 2021.

After a brief illness, Jerry Pruitt passed away on August 20, 2023. He is remembered for his professional accomplishments, dedication to public service, and steadfast leadership. His legacy endures as a valued member of the community, devoted husband to Cyndi, respected father, esteemed colleague, and courageous Army officer.