James Bodenheimer: Veteran of the Month | February 2026

James Bodenheimer was born on September 8, 1950, in Jefferson City, Tennessee. When he was three years old, his family moved to Knoxville, where he grew up on the outskirts of the city with two older sisters, a younger sister, and a younger brother. He remarked that there was always something happening when he was growing up in a large family. Bodenheimer enjoyed participating in typical sports, such as football and baseball.

As a teenager, he owned an old 1953 Chevy that frequently needed repairs. He taught himself to work on the car by tinkering with the engine at home, though he laughed and said, “I would rather be driving it than working on it.” At the age of 19, he was drafted into the U.S. Army in August, just one month before his 20th birthday.

Bodenheimer completed both basic training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, becoming a tanker with the military occupational specialty 11 Echo. He initially served as a loader, responsible for moving ammunition, before transitioning to a driver position. His training consisted of eight weeks of basic training, two weeks in the Leadership Preparation Course, and eight weeks of Advanced Individual Training. He believes his prior experience working on his Chevrolet may have influenced his assignment to armor, as tanks require significant maintenance.

Bodenheimer was stationed at Ray Barracks in Friedberg, Germany, outside Frankfurt, for 13 months. His responsibilities included tank maintenance, guard duty at a classified site, and annual tank maneuvers at Grafenwöhr and Hohenfels. He also participated in alert deployments, often moving with his unit to the designated alert point near the Fulda Gap, where they would remain for two to three days at a time. His service primarily involved training exercises, including tank gunnery that required identifying and engaging targets with multiple types of rounds. Bodenheimer recounted how alerts would sound, prompting them to rush to their positions, but he considered himself one of the “lucky ones” who never experienced major combat during his wartime enlistment. Reflecting on his service, Bodenheimer said, “That was not a good time to be drafted, but I was blessed the whole time.”

Outside of duty, Bodenheimer valued the opportunity to experience life overseas. He took advantage of Germany’s rail system to travel on weekends, returning to base by Monday reveille. Like most young men who were drafted, Bodenheimer had never been out of the country before being stationed in Germany. He reflected, “It was wonderful to be in a foreign country, and Germans were very accepting, and it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go to Europe.” He spent his entire enlisted service as a tanker in Germany. Bodenheimer, even though he enjoyed his time in Germany, admitted, “Once I found out I was getting an early out, I started counting the days.” He ultimately served for 18 months and 29 days, receiving an early release of approximately five months under President Nixon’s early-out program, as the military transitioned to an all-volunteer force.

Bodenheimer in Germany in 1971.

After returning to Tennessee, Bodenheimer attended East Tennessee State University, graduating in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science in geography and geology. Bodenheimer joked, saying, “College was definitely a lot better than being in the military.” Following college, he returned to Knoxville and worked at the Knoxville News Sentinel, first in the mailroom inserting sections for the Sunday paper and later as a pressman. Although he earned a degree in geology, he chose a different professional path and eventually opened American Scooters, a motorcycle shop specializing primarily in Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Bodenheimer recalled, “That was fun, that was a good time.” He owned and operated the business for ten years before closing it in 2006. Reflecting on that period of his life, Bodenheimer shared, “Back in those days I was doing what I wanted to, thinking everything is ok, but life is something that you get what you put into it.”

In 2011, Bodenheimer was involved in a serious motorcycle accident that resulted in the loss of his left leg. He spent two and a half months in a coma and later underwent extended recovery, including time at a VA facility and a nursing home for up to a year and a half. During that period, he was receiving care through a VA program that typically assisted the homeless, although he was never without housing. After two years of hospitalization and rehabilitation, he moved to Gray Station in Tennessee, where he has lived ever since. Reflecting on the accident and recovery, Bodenheimer said, “It is tough when you have to count on other people.” He also described the experience as life-changing, stating, “I had an angel on my shoulder, and I guarantee you it got its wings.” While acknowledging that there were times in his life when he didn’t always make the best decisions, he recognized the accident as a significant turning point. He said, “The Lord really took care of me,” highlighting how this experience ultimately shaped his outlook and priorities.

Today, Bodenheimer enjoys volunteering regularly at the VA, doing odd jobs and filling in wherever needed, such as stuffing envelopes, taking messages, and helping direct visitors. He remains active by attending church, swimming, and working out at a senior center. He credits these routines with helping him maintain a focused and positive outlook. Reflecting on his life today, Bodenheimer shared, “Now that I’ve gone through this traumatic incident, I’ve got everything focused. My life is so much better, and I am blessed more than I deserve.”

Veterans Care Coordination is proud to recognize James Bodenheimer for his service to our country. We are privileged to have the opportunity to share the stories of our nation’s heroes. Thank you for your service, James, and welcome home.