Benjamin Leigh Curtis

Benjamin Leigh Curtis, 31, of Clarksville, Tenn., died Nov. 27, 2013 in Nashville, Tenn., of colon-rectal cancer. He was born May 5, 1982, to Jennifer Rogers Prophet and Billy Curtis. He graduated from Rogers High School, class of 2000, and the University of Arkansas, class of 2004, with a B.A. degree. Benjamin Leigh Curtis was commissioned a second lieutenant of infantry after graduating from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor of arts in criminal justice in May 2004. Curtis' first assignment was to the 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division at Fort Polk, La. He served as a platoon leader and executive officer and deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom while serving with 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division. Capt. Curtis was then selected to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2008, and graduated in 2010. Capt. Curtis was then assigned to Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), where he served as an executive officer and detachment commander. Capt. Curtis deployed to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn while assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group. Capt. Curtis' military education includes the U.S. Army Airborne School, U.S. Army Air Assault School, Infantry Officer Basic Course, the Mechanized Leader's Course, the Pathfinder Course, the Maneuver Captain's Career Course, Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape Course, the Special Forces Qualification Course and the Jumpmaster Course. Capt. Curtis' awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Valorous Unit Award, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign medal with one campaign star, the Iraq Campaign medal with three campaign stars, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Air Assault Badge, the Basic Parachutist Badge, the Expert Infantryman's Badge, the Pathfinder Badge and the Special Forces Tab. Survivors include his wife, Amy Tindell Curtis; parents, Jennifer Rogers Prophet and Ronnie Prophet and Billy and Peggy Curtis; Cory Curtis and Stephanie, Mark Curtis and Shelly; one niece; and two nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, W.J. and Geraldine Rogers, Bennie and Virginia Curtis; three aunts and two uncles. Visitation is noon Dec. 7 at Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home in Clarksville, Tenn., until memorial service at 2 p.m. He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial funds may be sent to the Special Operations Wounded Warrior Fund and the National Transplant Foundation.