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E4 Specialist Peggy Lou Smith was born in Hominy, Oklahoma and was raised in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. At a young age, Smith was very active, and showed great interest in swimming, roller skating, and bike riding.
On October 1st, 2001, Smith was inspired to enlist in the United States Army to help protect and save others. Smith desired to fight for her country and to ensure that nothing like 9/11 would ever happen again. In the army, Smith joined the 41st Transportation Unit out of Vilseck, Germany. Smith adored her time serving in the military and especially loved the brother and sisterhood dynamics complemented by strong comradery shown by everyone in the army. In her illustrious career, Smith received many awards including but not limited to, the National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Driver and Mechanic Badge, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, and the ARCOM Medal for her service in Iraq. She also received a driver academy top of the class award for completing over 7 thousand miles driven during missions for the army.
Tragically, Smith sustained severe injuries when falling off the back of a heavy military truck. Smith landed directly on her tailbone suffering scoliosis, a ruptured disc, a deformed vertebrae in T-spine, tendinitis in her rotator cuff, bursitis in both hips, and plantar fasciitis with heel spurs, neck pain, and stiffness. Recovery for Smith will be a long and difficult process involving physical therapy and perseverance. Due to her injury, Smith suffers from chronic nerve pain in her arms and hands as a result of the progression of the central canal stenosis throughout her spine. Her symptoms are slowly paralyzing, as she has difficulty walking and standing for long periods of time. Smith will not receive the surgery required to alleviate her symptoms, and will therefore never fully recover but will continue to manage it with medication.Â
Despite her sustained injuries, Smith proudly lives her life to the absolute fullest. She currently lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana and loves spending time with her extended family planting flowers and vegetables, swimming, and partaking in barbecues and picnics with her loved ones. Smith recognizes her husband for his devotion to being her caregiver, and is incredibly grateful for all that he has done.Â