| Sources |
- [S23] Atchley Funeral Home, (http://www.atchleyfuneralhome.com/), 2 Jun 2014.
Eunice Watson Carr obituary
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 6 Mar 2016.
Upland Chronicles: Dannie Carr sacrificed his life for his country
CARROLL MCMAHAN
SEVIERVILLE — On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic the Dannie A. Carr Veterans Outpatient Clinic.
The bill awaits passage by the Senate and the president’s signature to become law.
“One of my highest priorities in Congress is fighting for veterans,” said Rep. Phil Roe, who introduced the legislation. “Whether it’s helping them claim their benefits or ensuring our heroes receive the recognition they deserve, I will continue to be a tireless advocate for our veterans. I’m glad this bill to recognize the service and sacrifice of Specialist 4 Dannie A. Carr was approved by the House and I hope the Senate will consider the bill soon.”
As a boy growing up near Pittman Center, Dannie Carr loved to ride horses with his friend Johnny King. The young boys played Roy Rodgers and Gene Autry for hours. Dannie even taught his beloved Tennessee Walking Horse to perform tricks such as how to take a bow. When snow covered the hills surrounding the farm, Dannie and Johnny used an old car hood as a sled.
Dannie Arthur Carr was born June 30, 1947. He was the oldest of three children of Rev. Melvin Carr and Eunice Watson Carr.
While his father worked as a security guard at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Dannie Carr spent most of the first six years of his life in living in Oak Ridge. In 1953, his father quit his job and moved the family back to Sevier County to live on the family farm in the King Hollow.
His father later converted the Laurel Branch School, across Pittman Center Road from the middle prong of the Little Pigeon River, into their home. This is where Dannie lived with his parents and sisters, Ruth and Mary Ann, until he entered the Army in 1968.
After the family moved, the Carr children were delighted to live near Wesley and Edna Valentine and their eight children. Dannie and Ray Valentine soon became good friends, getting into the innocent mischief most boys their age do.
As a teenager, Dannie once tied his palomino to a picnic table in the yard when Johnny King came by in his car and invited him to take a ride. Dannie asked his sister Ruth to watch his horse until they returned.
“Soon after they left, the horse got spooked,” said Ruth. “The startled animal took off down the road, pulling the picnic table behind him. The noise scared the horse even worse. Of course, I got the blame for it. “
At Gatlinburg-Pittman High School, Dannie was a star basketball player. His teammates included Wendell Huskey, Donald Dodgen, Johnny King, Billy Moneymaker and Ralph Ogle.
After graduating from high school, Dannie enlisted in the U.S. Army. His ambition in life was to be a race car driver. While on leave from the Army, Dannie managed to outrun State Trooper Mayford Ramsey in a chase and hid out behind Laurel Branch Baptist Church. But Ramsey recognized Dannie and hunted him down. Because Dannie was a soldier serving his county, Trooper Ramsey let him off with a stern reprimand.
Five months after enlisting, Dannie was deployed to Vietnam, serving as an infantryman in B Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Division. He was a one-year veteran of the Army when his tour of duty began Nov. 5, 1968.
Wounded in battle three times, Specialist 4 Dannie A. Carr was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on Jan. 18, 1969, and a second Purple Heart (First Oak Cluster) for wounds received March 11 that year. The third time he was wounded, he was blown from a tank in May. Dannie was released from the hospital at Cam Ranh Bay on June 21 to return to his company.
On July 3, 1969, Dannie was killed by artillery fire under hostile conditions in Tay Ninh Province, South Vietnam. He was 22. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for valor and honored at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C.
His body was recovered and returned to Sevier County with an Army escort. He is buried in Zion Grove Cemetery.
During the visitation prior to his funeral, family members were approached by strangers who told them the impact Dannie had made on their lives. Two young ladies shared the story of how Dannie had rescued them from drowning at Flint Rock swimming hole. Dannie had never mentioned the incident to his family.
A young man who enlisted at the same time as Dannie came to pay his respects. He told the family that Dannie had bought his lunch on the day of their enlistment after noticing that he was not eating, and correctly assuming it was because he didn’t have any money. This was another story Dannie had never mentioned.
According to his sister, Ruth Miller, Dannie had a very quiet disposition. “He was very humble and he never liked to gossip or talk bad about anyone,” she said.
“SP4 Carr was a true patriot,” Roe said. “I am honored to have a small part in ensuring he is forever remembered for his service and sacrifice.”
“I am just speechless that the U.S. House of Representatives has bestowed this honor on my brother and our family by naming the V.A. Center after my brother,” Ruth Miller did. “We must also remember the other 15 soldiers from Sevier County who died in Vietnam as well. Our hearts go out to their families.”
Carroll McMahan is special projects facilitator for the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce and serves as Sevier County historian.
The Upland Chronicles series celebrates the heritage and past of Sevier County. If you have suggestions for future topics, would like to submit a column or have comments, contact Carroll McMahan at 453-6411 or cmcmahan@scoc.org; or Ron Rader at 604-9161 or ron@ronraderproperties.com.
- [S75] Atchley Funeral Home Records, Volume II, 1955-1973, Larry D. Fox, (Smoky Mountain Historical Society), 3 Jul 1969.
Carr, Dannie 22 b. 6-30-47 d. 7-3-69 Vietnam res Sev R9 f. Rev Melvin m. Watson Escort Wayne L Black 6th US Army Escort Det Oakland CA 94626 Zion Grove Cem SP/4 First Air Cavalry Gatlinburg Pit Class of 68 Survivors: parents 2 sis Ruth Mary Ann G P Arthur Watson Pearl King mem Laurel Branch Bapt Ch.
- [S34] In the Shadow of the Smokies, Smoky Mountain Historical Society, (1993), 443.
Sp. 4 1 Air Cvalry Div Vietnam; 65M-AM 2PH OLC Fell in battle in Vietnam
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