CAP Talk

                   The Rediscovery of Maj. General John F. Curry

The sun came on strong and the day heated the clear sky to the brightest of blue. Quiet and clean white stone tablets neatly stood at attention over the honored dead, as two white haired men dressed in their Civil Air Patrol Uniforms, walked through the just mowed grass. They paused and pondered and talked, first to each other and then to one humble marker. Col. James Cooksey and 1Lt. Edward O'Brien were doing what the Civil Air Patrol was made for, finding someone lost, but dear. To reunite a family.

On Saturday July 19th at 1100 hours Col. James Cooksey, CAP of the Black Sheep Senior Squadron CO-162 saluted and paid the respects of the Black Sheep at the grave of  Maj. Gen. John F. Curry, CAP's first National Commander. John F. Curry (Jack to his friends) and his wife Eleanor are buried at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado. This date, July 19th, was picked to coincide with the 67th anniversary of the Major-General's appointment as CAP's first Commander, which was on July 22nd 1941, or nearly four-and-a-half months before the official founding date of the Patrol on December 6th, 1941.

While reviewing some old scrapbooks, several weeks ago, at the Colorado Wing's Buckley Air Force Base office, Historian O'Brien and Colorado Wing Chief of Staff, M/Sgt. Cynthia Smith discovered that the General was buried at Ft. Logan National Cemetery. Lt. O'Brien set out to rediscover the grave and bring it to the attention of the Civil Air Patrol.

The General passed away in 1973, followed by his wife in 1991. Their only remaining first generation relative and daughter Sheila Curry DeKalb had not seen the grave in 13 years. As she stated, "I'm just too old to travel but Daddy would appreciate anything you do, so very much." This small and informal ceremony was organized so that pictures of the gravesite could be sent to Mrs. Curry-DeKalb in California.

In this way the Civil Air Patrol is doing just what the Major-General always hoped it would do; "Find the lost, both the living and the dead, so they are lost no more."

With respects to the General and his wife and family from the Colorado Wing of the Civil Air Patrol;


1Lt. Ed O'Brien reporting
(//)

After talking to Maj. Gen. Curry's daughter -- she has more than a few things to add to his biography. Historians and AEO's take notes.
1. He bought Ford Island on which Hickham Field Hawaii was built. He was a Captain when he did that, sometime around 1922.
2. He built Wright Patterson Air Base in 1927. He was a Major, and commander at McCook Field, at the time. McCook Field was close to the present site of Wright-Pat AFB.
3. He was gassed in WW1. He didn't get a Purple Heart. I think it might have been French gas but he simply didn't talk much about it. I probably will need to see his Army records to know more. The gassing didn't seem to bother him until near the end of his days when he got large sores on his arms and shaky hands, which he attributed to his WW1 gassing.
4. He was instrumental in bringing the Air Force Academy to Colorado.
5. After retirement from the military - he was an executive of the Denver area Boy Scout Council, even though he had only daughters.
There are dozens of things left to discover about our first national commander. I hope to speak with the general's daughter again quite soon.
With regards;
ED OBRIEN

I visited the grave site when I was in the Denver area two weeks ago. It's one of many  markers in the Garden of Stone. It was very easy to find, using the locator available at the visitor's center. I'll post the pix when I get a chance.

More Maj. General John F. Curry News. According to his daughter -- JF Curry as a Captain was one of only 3 officers who spoke on behalf of Gen. Billy Mitchell at his court's martial. He did this even though:
1. He believed Billy Mitchell's should be sacked for disobeying orders.
2. There was some risk to Curry's own burgeoning Army career.

While, then Capt. Curry, believed in the vision of Billy Mitchell, he was a man that thought the Generals methods were over the line. That said, as a Lt. Colonel then Colonel JF Curry would quietly fulfill the dream of Billy Mitchell. He would help marginalize Orville Wright, the only remaining father of flight after the untimely death brother Wilbur Wright. It seemed that Orville Wright was more interested in maintaining his legacy than technical advancements. As such more money went to development at Langley's Aero-Labs and Navy specifications would then be delivered to Grumman mostly. This is why the Army had many Aircraft suppliers and R and D providers: North American, Boeing, Lockheed, Douglas, Rockwell, Fairchild to name a few.

Additionally, John Curry is one of only 5 men who retired as a General in the Army AND the Air Force.

Inside this political maelstrom Gen. Curry was a reliable and steady emissary to Generals Spaatz, Arnold, Eakers, LeMay etc. These men trusted Curry. They had known each other since West Point and JF Curry was the fulcrum on which American Air Power tipped and spun through the 30s and 40s.
He was a man that handled the toughest of assignmnts with great aplomb.
What a career! What a man! CAP's first National Commander!
With regards;
ED OBRIEN

I'm confused.  How could General Curry be appointed as Commander Civil Air Patrol in July, when CAP didn't exist. I realize Gil Robb Wilson and others had been trying to organize the organization from 1939 on. But on Dec 1 1941, CAP came into existance under the Office of Civilian Defense, not the United States Army or Army Air Corp. Why would an active duty General grade officer be appointed to command a part of Civilian Defense?

BillB and CAPTalkers;
Organization takes time. Like a transfered father going ahead to purchase a house before the family arrives, Gen. Curry was a lead man and organizer before the official start date of the Patrol. No longer a combat commander he was a logistics and training problem solver. I would assume Gil Robb Wilson and the rest, already working for the Civilian Defense Dept. needed a man of this nature and of precisely this stature. BUT in this I am making an assumption.

I do know that Hap Arnold trusted Curry. Hap Arnold spent about 30 minutes a month on the CAP. He needed a man who knew most of the players. Someone who could give him a blunt reasoned opinion fast and then carry out the details. Curry was that kind of man. They'd known each other since Curry's first solo, which was signed off by Arnold in 1915 or16.

Curry was a fixer, a doer, a figure out the details kind of man. He was quick to finish his official CAP Command duties, then and only a few months after the CAP was officially organized, he was sent to North Africa to report on the Air Corps campaign against Rommel. That said, there were many persistent questions about the Civil Air Patrol that needed sorting out, even after Gen. Curry left for these other adventures: Could CAP hunt Nazi Subs? Could we handle the CAP Courier Service? Could we take over the SAR Role? Should the CAP have Cadets? Women? Curry knew the CAP Officers involved, he'd been in the service and WW1 with many of them. He could get Hap Arnold on the phone and Hap Arnold knew where Curry was every minute of WW2.

Again this is an assumption and I'm still working out details, Hap Arnold asked Curry these questions, Curry said; "yes the CAP can do it." "The CAP can handle it." Then either Curry or Arnold would contact Earl Johnson (CAP's Commander after Curry)

These men all served in a small force over many years and through many troubled times. They seemed to trust Curry more than anyone else.

By the time the CAP was formed Curry knew he wasn't going to be a combat commander any longer, perhaps as a result of the gassing in WW1... but he knew he'd go no higher than 2 stars. He wasn't a direct competitor for rank, grade, or command... so he was the right guy, for every ambitious commander, for every tough job. He built the Training Command from nothing (maybe 7500 pilots, navigators, and mechanics a year) to training nearly 2 million men in 2 and half years.

His background for building bases and organizing training moved the War from the sorry state of Dec. 1941 to the juggernaut of late 1943 through 45. Not that there weren't others to mention. Not that others didn't get important roles... I just don't know of anyone who worked so well with everyone... Was so needed, so often requested, and so many times assigned to everyone. He was the man in the middle of Air Powers greatest expansion.
For more you'll need to let me get back to his daughter and do a proper write up. Which I will do over the next month or so.
With regards;
ED O'BRIEN

He was gassed in WW1. He didn't get a Purple Heart. I think it might have been French gas but he simply didn't talk much about it. I probably will need to see his Army records to know more. The gassing didn't seem to bother him until near the end of his days when he got large sores on his arms and shaky hands, which he attributed to his WW1 gassing.

The Purple Heart wasn't reintroduced until 1932, 14 years following his gassing.

Cecil DP;
You are quite right! Much research to go through. I hadn't gotten to that one yet. No Purple Hearts in WW1, got it. Regarding his WW1 gassing -- We're still ruminating on why Gen. Curry never talked about it. So more research later.
With regards; ED OBRIEN

I was back on Gen. Curry research this week.
2 things came up:
1.Jack Curry did the first extensive tour by-air of the Hawaiian Islands in 1921/22. He landed in farm fields and little air-patches and telegraphed his wife each night with updates. According to his daughter, the General's wife was worried. The telegraph was the only instant communications available. Eleanor (his wife of only a few months at this time) would type up a report and walk it over the base ops at Pearl Harbor. This ad-hoc method satisfied both the military and domestic situations. A few months later, as a Captain in the Army, Jack Curry would negotiate with the Governor/ administrator for the sale of Ford Island to the Army Air Corps. Hickham Field is now located on Ford Island. The War Department told him to do as he thought best on what field to purchase -- "they trusted his judgment."

2. Leaving from Lowery AFB Denver on one of his last flights as an Army/AF pilot in 1946, Jack Curry took his daughter, Sheila, southeast into the Colorado Plains. This was a sour weather day that was clearing out fast. Sparkling rainbows and gashes of sunlight popped out as the clouds departed. Gen. Curry said, "If I could land the plane at the end of that rainbow, we'd go over to that leprechaun take his gold and we'd be rich. Sheila knew her father well and loved him dearly. She said, "That's OK daddy, we are rich." The General cleared his throat as if he'd thought of something that was deeply felt and said... "You're so right... if you can fly a plane through a rainbow, you are rich."

"If you can fly a plane through a rainbow -- You are rich." I wouldn't mind that as my epitaph one day, how about you?

More Maj. Gen. John F. Curry trivia... AEO and historians take notes.
From the Official Guide of the Air Force Academy:
"One of the pioneers of aviation, retired Maj. Gen. John F. Curry, lived in Denver. For many year climatology had been his hobby. His studies of altitude and flying as well as his study of respiratory diseases at military installations in Colorado and Wyoming were invaluable to Air Force and medical
authorities wrestling with thorny questions. His studies helped resolve Colorado as a suitable location for the Air Force Academy."

Because the front range of Colorado with it's moderate climate and dry air was thought to be the best place to live for those suffering from respiratory troubles such as tuberculosis --many people with these diseases moved to the state from other places -- and therefore the death rate for this disease was higher than any other place in the country -- the Army and Air Force were under the mistaken opinion that tuberculosis was rampant in Colorado and the Air Force Academy shouldn't be located in such a place as this.

Only after, now private citizen, Jack Curry straightened the issue out -- was Colorado included in the possible AFA sites. John F. Curry conducted tours of various locations in 1954-55 for members of the site selection committee including Charles Lindbergh and Gen. James Doolittle both of whom were persuaded and eventually favored Colorado for the Air Force Academy.

Quote from: Smithsonia on July 24, 2008, 05:16:05 PM
Cecil DP;
You are quite right! Much research to go through. I hadn't gotten to that one yet. No Purple Hearts in WW1, got it. Regarding his WW1 gassing -- We're still ruminating on why Gen. Curry never talked about it. So more research later.
With regards; ED OBRIEN

Of course if it was french gas, it would be considered friendly fire and not a combat wound. If it was German or Austrian he would rate one retroactively.

Cecil DP; We'd thought of that too, but don't know the answer. I headed to see the Maj. Generals daughter in October and will be in Washington 2 weeks later in early November. I'm hoping to look at the Generals Army records and then we'll know.
With regards; ED OBRIEN

More Curry Research -- Historians and AEX Officers please note.

From 1931 to 1935 Major and then Lt. Col. John F Curry was Commandant of the Air Tactical School at Maxwell Field. During this period there was a huge expansion of Maxwell's facilities. Meaning that John F. Curry was responsible for all construction and training. From this endeavor, and even though it has undergone many revisions since, the current headquarters of the Civil Air Patrol at Maxwell, was built. Though not originally used by the CAP (for it would be many years before he CAP was established) The current Headquarters of CAP was built by Jack Curry. At least the current footprint of the building that is NHQ was laid out. It is also known that the location of Maxwell Field as CAP NHQ is due to Curry's knowledge of and time spent at this base. There is no coincidence, no accident, this was by design... although the design played out over 10 years. This design seems to have been the act of one man, JF Curry.

In 1928 Capt. then Maj. Curry was Commandant of Air Craft Technical School at Langley VA. It is interesting that JF Curry played a hand in both the building of Wright-Patterson and Langley. Each did different things and lead to the establishment of very different R and D models for the Air Corps Command and the Navy. Where as most of the Research and Development in the Air Corps was done at the various contactors of Boeing, North American, Lockheed, Fairchild, etc. (Think of the Lockheed Skunk Works, which came along in the late 40s and 50s) Most of the Navy's R and D was done at Langley and the information then sent directly to Grumman or Chance Vought. Meaning, that it seems that this was by design also. Perhaps by the design of JF Curry.  However it is certain his professional involvement was more than coincidental in this distribution of talent, labor, and achievement. More Curry factoids soon.

Ed,

The current CAP NHQ building used to be a hospital.  The place this is most evident now is the cafeteria/break room which is located in the former morgue.

Jimmydeanno;
Thanks. I've got three plat maps regarding the expansion Maxwell circa 1932-36. It begins with 3 hangars, offices attached and 2 rows of buildings -- which I'm assuming were barracks for enlisted, officers and offices.
Very tight little grouping of buildings. Probably the current building for NHQ was built in the second phase of construction around 1935. I've got very few identification markings for those buildings. Barracks and hangars are easy to identify -- other buildings, like a hospital are nothing but footprints on the plat map. The streets are easy to calculate and the expansion buildings too. Simply put, the buildings names are not all ID'ed. It is obvious that what is now the NHQ building is on the 1934/35 map. Or at least the footprint of that building is there. There is an additional layer that occurred in 1936-38 but likely all of those buildings were planned during the Curry Administration of Maxwell. I should get more information on this series of build-outs in the coming months. If so, Ill post it.

Quote from: jimmydeannoThe current CAP NHQ building used to be a hospital.  The place this is most evident now is the cafeteria/break room which is located in the former morgue.

Wow!
So when a NatHQ collegue says, "Your lunch smells like something died."
It may not actually be the meal.

Gen Curry was such an amazing guy, and he becomes even more so the deeper the research. He's almost like the "Forrest Gump" of aviation, in that he was present at or in the fore-front of so many amazing things in American history.

-Ace

Ace;
If you go here, you'll find the official history of Maxwell:
http://www.au.af.mil/au/history/history_1920s_1930s.asp

What is interesting is there is NO mention of Jack Curry's administration at Maxwell 1932-36. In this history they leave off at 1931 and pick up again in WW2. I'm talking to the base historian... at least I've got an email into him... to let him know this new information. However, you'll see that in 1929-1931 the change in American Airpower swung. Langley Field (don't forget JF Curry ran Langley in 1928) moves some of it's responsibility and training to Maxwell in '31, according to the Maxwell history and JF Curry shows up in  Maxwell in '32. This can't be coincidental. More research to do.

Frankly, I think the General Biography title should be: "The Good Little General Jack; The Unknown Visionary Behind American Air Power 1920-1945." Forrest Gump was an accidental witness to history... JF Curry made history, and who knew? Now we all do. This guy is more interesting than 25 Paris Hiltons. More soon.

I had four wisdom teeth pulled at the Maxwell Hospital. The Dental area is now the Office of CC CAP-USAF.

You'll love this one! Historian and AEO's take note.

In 1921-23 then Captain Curry lived in Hawaii. (SEE THREAD ABOVE FOR SOME OF THESE ADVENTURES) Both he and new wife Eleanor were avid swimmers. (Eleanor growing up in California loved ocean swimming) A neighbor... first described as an "amazing native boy" offered to take Jack and Eleanor surfing. They went and loved it. Eventually they both got long boards (14ft and too heavy to lift alone) and regularly surfed Waikiki Bay. It apparently was right where the Royal Hawaiian Hotel is now. Their boards were built by this amazing young man, and surfing coach, who would become famous as the father of modern surfing Duke Khanamoku. Or as the surfing community knows him -- The Big Kahuna.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_Kahanamoku

OK so this is more of a Forrest Gump moment. BUT it is also a great family story from the General's daughter, Sheila.

Quote from: SmithsoniaThe Big Kahuna. OK so this is more of a Forrest Gump moment.

SEE!!!!

Quote from: BillBI had four wisdom teeth pulled at the Maxwell Hospital. The Dental area is now the Office of CC CAP-USAF.

The obvious irony... I'll bet a LOT of teeth were pulled in that office, along with arm twisting and back breaking. This would of course have bewn AFTER it became occupied by CAP.

I think Gen Curry is climbing up on my VH1 list of Top 100 American Heros.

-Ace

I've been saving this portion of the JF Curry story as I didn't want Captalkers to think this endeavor is a personal or squadron level thing. BUT, John Curry was a sponsor of the Black Sheep CO-162... but in a rather roundabout way.

In either 1964 or '68 the old Denver Senior wanted to get onto Lowry AFB in east Denver. They needed a sponsor. The sponsorship papers were signed by John F Curry. According to sources, John Curry called the base commander and Denver Seniors were treated ever-so-well by the Air Force. John Curry was never a squadron member but is the man that gave it, its first vital breath.

About 1986 The Black Sheep Squadron split from the Denver Senior Squadron. The Old Denver Senior Squadron folded in 1999. The only remaining vestige of the Denver Senior Sq. is The Black Sheep at Centennial Airport. As such JF Curry is the Daddy we never knew. JF Curry is an important figure in my squadron, which I dearly love and enjoy. Without the then retired, yet still prestigous and honored, Air Force leader, my squadron might never have been.

The debt we all owe Jack Curry has been the focus of this thread. I'd now like to add my personal thank you to this man. Every meeting I attend, every mission I mount, every time I put on the uniform, every time I sit among the honorable men and women of my squadron, I thank Jack Curry. I wish I'd known him. According to his daughter we would have made friends. So for all Captalkers this is a dad I never knew, the friend I never made, but the man to whom we all remain deeply in debt.

A couple of John Curry items came up this week.
1. Buzz Aldrin's father Edward was a good friend of the General. When Buzz was in Denver, he'd stop by to see the General. Astronaut Aldrin kept up the relationship with letters and visits until the General's passing in 1973.

2. I'm organizing a CO-WG Group One event at the Curry Gravesite. In this ceremony we'll give Curry Awards for up to 20 cadets at the General's grave. We'll do this on Dec. 6th 2008. CAP DAY! I'll give a brief biography lecture about the General and take cadets to the gravesite. I'm hoping to make this a yearly event.

3. I'm going to California on Oct. 11th and take the General's daughter and only remaining first generation relative, Sheila Curry DeKalb to lunch. She is a remarkable woman and I am looking forward to meeting her in person and hear more tales from her father's career. She has mementos to share and stories to tell... so my next report on the General should be stimulating and illuminating. I'll also be going to Washington DC in November and hope to finally get my hands on the General's remaining military records. That should keep me busy for a few months.

I met Sheila "Curry" DeKalb yesterday for lunch in Southern California. She is a wonderful woman; a dear daughter of the General and with fond memories of her dad.

Maj. Gen. John Curry was in Denver, CO. when he took over command of the CAP. 1108 15th St. Denver, CO. was the first Command HQ of the CAP. (if unofficially This address was actually the Command Staff HQ for Second Air Force while they waited for facilities to be built at Lowry and Peterson) His command staff was busy building up Petersen and Lowry Field, Spokane, Sacramento, Fresno, Las Vegas, March Field, etc. These tasks were the main focus of this staff. It appears CAP was taken care of in the margins and on the quick. At this time John Curry was a 2 star (he was a one star for exactly 29 days) He was moving around so much that his uniforms and militaria couldn't keep up with him so he had to sit in a business suit for a Spokane newspaper interview about future plans for the air base. I've got more coming as soon as I get home, unpack, and do a little more research.

While working in Denver the General lived at Ft. Logan Army Post. Ft. Logan is now the site of his grave. (on the grounds of the National Cemetery) I've got some private communications between different Generals indicating their level of personal regard, degrees of personal trust, and levels of respect for one another. I've got picture of Gen. George Marshall hanging with the Curry's. I've got numerous chatty official letters between Generals Marty Scanlon, Ira Eakers, Jack Curry...  Many references to Ira Eackers. It is just a trickle of what I hope will be downpour of John Curry revelations. His Army Air Corps records are now at the Air Force Academy -- so I've got a ton more coming.

I'd modify my post above but I can't get a modify button. SO, the 1941 Second Air Force temporary Headquarters I talked about above is 1180 15th Ave. Denver. It's now a parking lot. (at least according to the Mapquest check I just did.)

"On Voting" John Curry didn't vote, at least as a military officer. Neither did any of his major-general comrades in Arms and big-wigs of WW2. Believing that they were to serve and not take a side politically: Eisenhower, Patton, Hap Arnold, Admiral King, Nimitz, and John Curry himself did NOT exercise this right and sacrificed their own "franchise" for clarity of duty. I understand this is common and well-known practice inside the military. However, it was news to me. Some may believe this was because of the inconvenience of moving every 2 years from assignment to assignment and complications of re-registration. Gen. Curry's daughter assures me this was by design and the subject came up during numerous elections cycles in the Curry home.

More Curry research and information soon.

Fiorello La Guardia (before he was New York City's Mayor) was a WW1 Pilot. He flew bombers, in Italy (in WW1 we were on the same side as Italy) He flew against many Imperial German dirigibles and on many other missions. He was supposedly very good in this duty. He received several decorations. He was trained in this duty by John F. Curry.

John Curry was flying in France during WW1, against Germans balloons mostly. John Curry was very good too. Eventually, Curry was shot down, although he must have landed the plane and probably didn't bail-out (no parachutes back then in planes, only in balloons oddly enough, or crashed either, because he walked away (I'm still looking for details on this one). Curry evaded the enemy and returned to his own lines.

Back to Mayor Fiorello La Guardia -- He was also the head of the Civil Defense Administration as of March 1941 (before the war) and during the first part of WW2. The Civil Defense Administration was the agency to which the original CAP was assigned. La Guardia hired his former instructor Maj. Gen. John F. Curry to head the Civil Air Patrol. I'd say both men did pretty well for themselves and the Civil Air Patrol.

Two more Curry items from the last few weeks of research:
A. Some time between '32-'35 when Jack Curry brought the Tactical Training Command from Langley to Maxwell, Claire Chennault of Flying Tiger's fame took over training command. He worked for Jack Curry for at least 2 years during this period.

Before WW2 broke out and the Army was looking for pilots Jack Curry personally recruited many of the Tigers from the Air Corps. BUT, he mostly helped set up the logistics and mechanics to keep this forward base operating. Gen. Curry did this while stationed in Denver as Commander 2nd Air Force. The references I have on this subject are sparse so I can't conclude anything about the level of friendship between Curry and Chennault or the level of commitment to this project, only that these events occurred. However I do get the feeling that Curry and Chennault had a some what prickly relationship. SEE REFERENCE HERE:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claire_Lee_Chennault

B. The Ploesti Oil Field raids of June '42-Sept. '42 went very bad. Jack Curry was sent to North Africa, just after he left CAP command to sort things out and write up the after action reports and develop plans so that things would never again go so wrong. He was successful in laying out the details in several reports that were given high marks by Gen. Hap Arnold. "Clear. clean as sunshine, and concise, Jack has it right, I think." was Arnold reply to these reports. Although it took almost another year to make things right, Ploesti became the most bombed strategic target of WW2 and was not a factor after D-Day. SEE REFERENCE HERE:
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/ploesti.htm

On Dec. 6th Group One of the Colorado Wing will award Curry's to Cadets and perform the first in what I hope will be an ongoing and semi-annual event at the gravesite of Gen. John Curry. Until we sort out the ceremonial issues, I am conducting this event as a small Group One exercise. I've included the invitation below for future reference and as an ongoing addition to the Curry file.

CURRY CADET PRESENTATION AND MAJ. GEN. CURRY GRAVESIDE TRIBUTE: It has been recently discovered that CAPs First National Commander, Maj. Gen. John F. Curry is buried at Ft. Logan. His remarkable biography has been significantly upgraded and substantiated by Colorado Wing Historians. As such, we will present a brief biography that places Gen. Curry at the center of the rise of American Air Power between WW1 and WW2, formation of the Air Force, Development of Air Force Facilities in Colorado, and location of the Air Force Academy in Colorado. This information is currently unknown to CAP/NHQ. Including the fact that then Col. Curry built the infirmary at Maxwell (in the 1930s) that would become CAP's headquarters (in the 1960s) This coincidence and many others will be part of the biographical review and revelation. We will introduce guests and award "Curry's", then walk to the gravesite and salute the General and his wife (Eleanor).

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: At 09:30 hrs. on Dec. 6th 2008, CO/WG Group One will conduct a ceremony at the grave side of Maj. Gen. John Curry and his wife Eleanor. Any Group One Curry Awardee and parents are invited. This will be a one hour ceremony consisting of presentation of honored guests, some comments from Col. Phelka (and other special invitees), Gen. Curry's biography, and a gravesite salute by cadets. We will dismiss no later than 11:00 hrs.

LOCATION: Ft. Logan National Cemetery. Directions here: http://www.cem.va.gov/CEM/cems/nchp/ftlogan.asp

Follow Interstate 25 to exit, Hampden Avenue (Highway 285). Turn (west) heading toward the mountains to Sheridan Boulevard. Turn left (south) on Sheridan Boulevard. Cemetery is located two blocks south of Hampden Avenue on the left (east) side of Sheridan Boulevard. At the main West Entrance we will have officer or cadet with instructions to Pavilion A. Parking is limited. Please be on time. We don't want to leave people in the weather any longer than is necessary.

UNIFORM: Class A Dress or appropriate corporate uniform. Plan on being in the weather for up to 90 minutes. Plan on cold and possible snowy conditions. Boots, over-shoes, overcoats, mufflers, gloves - acceptable. Squadron Officers will conduct a uniform inspection of their own cadets before the ceremony. This inspection should be informal and one-on-one. This inspection is to ensure CAP compliance regarding picture posts. Please inform project officer of 39-1 non-compliant members before ceremony.

INVITEES: Col. Edward Phelka is inviting numerous dignitaries (Including former National Commander Gen. Bobick). All Group One Curry Cadets (those cadets about to be awarded their Curry Ribbon), their parents, and Group One Squadron Staff and Officers. Due to facilities: We are limited to 20-25 cadets and 30-35 guests. AS SUCH, PLEASE RSVP WITH THE NUMBERS OF EXPECTED GUESTS. RSVP: Lt. Ed O'Brien, email: ed@e-obrien.com

FUTURE PLANS: Group One is considering conducting this tribute twice a year. As such, a debrief of this event with the project officer, squadron commanders, and special invited guests can make recommendations as to this ceremony and perpetuation. PLEASE SEE ATTACHMENT.

Signed:

CO. Wing Commander Col. Ed Phelka
Group One Commander Lt. Col. William Aceves
CO/WG Heritage Project Officer Lt. Ed O'Brien

I have a wonderful picture of Maj. Gen. John Curry that I'll post one day. (Right now I have no scanner) Anyway, Curry is inspecting Air Corp troops in WW2 at Fresno Field. They are spit and shine. Their Captain looks grievously worried. Curry is striding confidently among them. Every man braced. Every eye turned upon Curry.

Curry is wearing slip-on shoes with buckles (kind of a pilgrim look, more comfortable and not by the book) his shirt and belt buckle are misaligned, his shoes are a bit dirty, his hat is a little off center and slightly cockeyed, and he has one shirt sleeve pinned as the button is missing. Remember Curry is a graduate of West Point, Curry is a former Honor Guard Leader, and knows how the uniform is to be worn.

Unless he had reason to keep you locked down with worry, Curry didn't like uniform gigs. He left that to worried Captains. He would instead take a rifle from man in the the formation and perform the manual of arms so well that no man thought him a light weight. He'd then smartly throw the rifle back to the man and say "I love that Springfield! Quite pleasing to handle, great weapon don't you agree Corporal?"

I think today we would say he exampled and displayed, "soft power."

I can not tell you if he demonstrated the manual of arms often but I can tell he often wore comfortable shoes as I have 5 pictures over a 20 year period from Captain to Maj. General in which he was shod in non-standard footwear.

We did the first Maj. Gen. John Curry Salute and Award Ceremony at his grave on Dec. 6th at 09:30 hrs. It was attended by 8 cadets, one General (former CAP Nat/CC James Bobick) One Current WING Commander (Col Ed Phelka) and 6 Former Wing and or Region Commanders. The day was special. A December day bright and sunny and 60 degrees is rare and wonderful. I did a 20 minute Bio-Briefing of the General and then we walked to the grave. Each cadet was introduced to the General and Mrs. Curry. Each cadet saluted first the flag and then the grave. Then a row of senior CAP Officers and Cadets facing each other from opposite sides of the grave listened as Col. Phelka said to the head stone. "For your service to your Country, the Civil Air Patrol and our history, we salute you General Curry" Then Col. Phelka did an about-face looking directly at the cadets now... "and for Curry Cadets, we salute you, our future." Col. Phelka did great. The ceremony was just about right.
It wasn't perfect as this was our first run through... we'll get better, but I think we did well.

I finally got a look a John Curry Full Service Record:
Here's Maj Gen. Curry's Military Record Summary.
Curry, John Francis
Birth: New York, N.Y. 22 Apr. 1886
Education and Training: Student, Coll of City of New York 1901-04, B.S. USMA, 1908 AS Eng Sch. Aero Engineering Course 1924, AC Tactical Sch. 1928, G.S. (General Staff College) 1936.

General Staff: 1 July '36 – 22 Mar. 1938

Appointments and Promotions: Cadet USMA 16 June 1904, 2Lt. Inf, 14 Feb 1908; 1Lt. 6 June 1914; Capt. AVN. Sec. Sig. O, 16 May 1916 -30 June 1920; Maj (temp) 24 Jan. 1918-9 May 1919; Col. AS USA 10 May 1919-6 Apr. 1920; Maj. 1 July 1920; TRFD. To AS 11 Aug. 1920; Lt. Col. 1 Feb 1932; Col. (temp) 4 Mar. to June 30 1935; Col. (temp) 23 Dec. 1936; Brig. Gen. AUS 1 Oct. 1940; Maj. Gen. AUS, 27 Oct. 1940 retired disability line of duty 31 Oct. 1945.

Principle Assignments: C/S AS Second Army 1918; Chief AS Engr. Div. Dayton Ohio 1924-27; Comdt. AC Tactical School 1931-35; Mbr. WDGS 1 July 1936 to 22 Mar. 1938; CG Northwest Air Distr. (became 2nd Air Force) 1940-1 Aug. 1941; CG Rocky Mountain Tech. Trng. 1941; Head Civil Air Patrol Washington DC. Dec 1941 Trng Command Apr. 1942; CG 4th Dist. Tech Trng Command and Western Tech. Apr. 1942-
July 1944; President Evaluation Board Hq AAF MTO July 1944-Mar. 1945.

Awards and Decorations: DSM 1944; LM 1945; Mexican Border Serv. Mdl. WW1 Victory Mdl. Amer. Serv. Mdl, Amer Thea. Mdl. WW II Victory Mdl. Officer del'Etoile Noir (France) 1919.

Ratings: Comd Plt. C. Obsr, A Obsr.
Source: USAFHD Archives file number 432.01, Dec. 1940-Dec. 1941.
Declassified IAW EO12958

As you can see he had many changes in command and authority. Being that the Air Service (later Air Corps) had 250 people in the entire command when he began as a flight cadet in 1915 and finished with 2.25 million people at the end of WW2 this variety in assignments, ranks, and commands is expected.

I have a lot of material to go through -- so... more soon.

I found a picture of Maxwell Field circa 1937. This would include the buildings, both upgraded and built during the Curry Administration 1931-35. SEE HERE:
http://alabamamaps.ua.edu/aerials/Counties/Montgomery/Montgomery_Maxwell_Air_Force_Base_1937.html

This field is about 8 times the size it was in 1931 when John Curry moved the Tactical
Training Command to Maxwell from Langley. The map is in a flexible format and you can zero in plus move it around. You'll find Maxwell to the Northeast of town. Anyone who knows Maxwell today. Locate the building that was the Infirmary - that then became the hospital -- that is now the CAP headquarters. You'll help me solve a riddle that I have posed before in this thread. I know that some, part, or all of the building was built during the Curry Administration... we're trying to figure out how much of what Curry built is CAP-HQ today. HELP would be appreciated. Enjoy this little historical tour.

If you go here there is a lengthy history of the Air Tactical School at Maxwell:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/1450198/US-Air-Force-HistoryOfTheAirCorpsTacticalSchool

It shows how and why the transition from Langley to Maxwell occurred. It also has the build out of Maxwell in the '30s under the command of John Curry. Apparently Curry was also instrumental in developing
bombing tactics to interdict logistics and conduct penetration (which then became strategic bombing) techniques used during WW2. Curry wanted better Pursuit planes and faster long range bombers. (P-40, P-38, P-47, P-51 would help resolve this argument) Pay attention to pgs. 75-78. You'll see the basis of my conclusion that Chennault and Curry were often on different sides of several issues. Chennault wanted better doctrine defining upgraded aircraft capability in a steady progression. It seems Curry wanted aircraft capability to become reactive so to insure doctrine. This is not a small difference of opinion. During the War we'd take both the Chennault progression and the Curry reactive approaches to Air Power Superiority. Curry would initially carry the day, the early War would be Chennault's day, and post '43 Curry's reactive strategy would see it's day again. Frankly this is one of the great debates of WW2 Air Power.

It is a great piece of historical review. List of very well-known WW2 characters like Eakers, Spaatz, Chennault, etc. and when they worked with (and for) Curry. For Historians and CAP history buffs: This is a must read.

Hi Ed,

I just sent this to your e-mail, but this is what I've got.

Picture 1: Modern Maxwell AFB with NHQ circled.  Notice the small plane on display out front.

Picture 2: 1932 Maxwell with circled location of what I believe to be the same spot based on common streets in the picture.

Hope that helps.

Jimmydeanno;
It looks like the same building. Therefore I would assume that since I have the plat from circa '29 not showing this building. Then we see the building just as it is now in '37. That indeed, the CAP Headquarters was in fact built during the Curry Command '32-36.

He is also the person who recommended that Maxwell be used as the Air Tactical School HQ. It was originally suggested that it be at Bolling Washington DC Area, Staten Island, NY. and 2 other locations. John Curry assembled meteorological data from all locations and then wrote up the finished proposal for Maxwell. He then, as Assistant Commander of Langley, moved the command in late '31. Becoming the commander of the base in '32.

I talked to his daughter last night. She was unaware of Claire Chennault coming to Maxwell in '32. She said her mother and father had many people over for dinner and enjoyed the company of both officers and enlisted... he even took a personal interest in the families and I have letters of congratulation for the birth of a child to Lt. Morrow for instance. Anyway, Curry at Maxwell is a very interesting tale. This is where American Airpower was framed and proceeded into the War years. This is where the debates and arguments that would shape American Air Power for the next 13-14 years would rage and wrangle. This is the moment and the people who shaped the future of the Air Corps into The United States Air Force. Thanks to everybody for your interest.

Quote from: Smithsonia on December 29, 2008, 06:47:21 PM
Jimmydeanno;
It looks like the same building. Therefore I would assume that since I have the plat from circa '29 not showing this building. Then we see the building just as it is now in '37. That indeed, the CAP Headquarters was in fact built during the Curry Command '32-36.

He is also the person who recommended that Maxwell be used as the Tactical School HQ. It was originally suggested that it be at Bolling Washington DC Area, Staten Island, NY. and 2 other locations. John Curry assembled meteorological data from all locations and then wrote up the finished proposal for Maxwell. He then, as Assistant Commander of Langley, moved the command in late '31. Becoming the commander of the base in '32.

I talked to his daughter last night. She was unaware of Claire Chennault coming to Maxwell in '32. She said her mother and father had many people over for dinner and enjoyed the company of both officers and enlisted... he even took a personal interest in the families and I have letters of congratulation for the birth of a child to Lt. Morrow for instance. Anyway, Curry at Maxwell is a very interesting tale. This is where American Airpower was framed and proceeded into the War years.

Ed,

Do you happen to have any indication of when the two wings were added to the building?  I would assume it was some time around when it was upgraded to be a hospital, but I could be grossly mistaken.  NHQ is also under renovation right now - however, my understanding is that it is an internal renovation so there shouldn't be any footprint changes.

Regarding the build out of the infirmary that would become the hospital that then became the CAP NHQ -- I have a plat map showing a larger facility in '44-'45. My understanding is that the footprint we have today dates back to WW2. What the exact dates are I do not know. Anyway, Jack Curry built what is now CAP Headquarters seems both a remarkable coincidence and now confirmed.

Jimmydeanno;
The '29 Plat map doesn't show anything at what is now CAP HQ. There were 3 or 4 hangars to the north and down the eastside in a L shape (those with the checkerboard roofs from the '37 photo)... the northern most row of buildings and the buildings directly to the south (across the street) were all there was besides some small out building. The post '29 base headquarters is now in the D shaped circle to the South a few blocks from the L there is part of the building shown below. However this building wasn't there in '29... but it is there in '37, according to the picture above.

According to Sheila Curry DeKalb (the General's daughter) they lived in what was then the Bachelor Officers Quarters on the top floor in several rooms. Her bathroom included a long row of open male type urinals... which she remembers vividly. Also there was no door on the bathroom and "business" was conducted with her mother and father coming and going. Of course, there was a locked door on Ward sized room which she thinks was 30-50 ft long and was one open room with an office, then the door to the private quarters then the bathroom to the right and towards the back (or north of the eastern most building in the row across from the northern hangars) There was no kitchen but just a hotplate and her mother had laundry done by the base staff. They ate in the Air Corps Officer's dining room or had take out from the kitchen delivered. Good stuff!

They didn't have an officers club in the beginning ('31-'32) and construction dirt was everywhere. On the top floor it was very hot in summer. This arrangement lasted a year or two until the commanders house was built. She doesn't remember anything specific about the infirmary/hospital... but does remember a base dispensary at the operations office in one of the hangars (or next to the hangars). She would go over and talk to a nurse, who befriended the then little girl and occasional wrapped an imaginary wound on her dolly. So I'm putting much of this together but I think we've got it.

Ed,

I find this fascinating and give you a gold star for the day :)

I just picked up a random bit of trivia.  The commander's house on Maxwell, which is still there and used by the Air University Commander is called, "The Curry House."

This is just too many coincidences -- probably it should make a nice Twilight Zone episode. If you remember the one where the WW1 flyer lands on modern (well modern for the 60s) SAC base... we'll do the next extension. I love it! Thanks; Jimmydeanno, a gold star for you too!

Here's the build out information on Maxwell that was attached to the '27 plat map:
In 1927, Maxwell Field was considered briefly as a home base for a major pursuit unit of the Air Corps. However, the citizens of Shreveport, Louisiana, prevailed, and Barksdale Air Force Base was established. Instead, in 1928, it was announced that Maxwell would become the home of the Air Corps Tactical School, then located at Langley Field. Additional acreage was acquired to house the facilities for the new school. In 1929, construction started on a school building (Building 800), a hospital (Building 713), an observation and parachute building (Building 844), two-story duplex NCO quarters, hangars, and warehouses.

The TAC school developed the basic tenets of the Army Air Corps airpower employment theories and produced most of the Army Air Force leaders of World War II.

By the early 1930s, the overall plan of Maxwell described a square. The barracks were located on the north side of a central athletic and drill field. To the east were located the NCO quarters. Hangars and support buildings lined the west side of the field and the north side, beyond the barracks.

In 1931, the government acquired an additional 600 acres north and east of the original field. Officers' quarters constructed in this area formed a suburban enclave separated from the main post. French Provincial Revival style dwellings lined curved streets. The officers' club, the bachelor officers' quarters, and the golf course also were built in this section. The French Provincial Revival style also was used at Barksdale AFB and Ft. McClellan.

SO THERE IS OUR CONFIRMATION. HOSPITAL WAS CONTRACTED IN '29 and BUILT IN THE SUBSEQUENT YEARS. CAP HQ IS IN A BUILDING BUILT BY JACK CURRY.

I went to the Denver Library today. I found the following;

4th District Air Force Technical and training Command Headquarters were at 1108 15th St. (not 1180 as I previously reported) in Denver CO. in summer 1941. The 5th Floor of this 7 story  Central Savings Bank Bldg. were all Air Force (not Air Corps strangely enough, as that's what is on the phone book listing)

The only person listed is "Maj. Gen John F. Curry Commander". However, we do know one of his staff was Capt. McIllhenny and in August 1941 the Captain sent out letters to the Governors of every state looking for the names of possible state commanders for the Civil Air Patrol. He sent this letter from the address above. I'm not sure but I would say this is the earliest command HQ request directed by the Civil Air Patrol. Previous orders and requests were from various political bodies setting up CAP through the Civil Defense Administration. This request was sent out on 2nd Air Force stationery.

This beautiful Be-auxarts building was unfortunately demolished in 1991. Other renters in this building in 1941 included the Youth League of the Communist Party on the Third flood and the Denver Miners Club on the 7th Floor. In Denver there remains one last vestige of this building. It is a marble sculpture that adorn the roof casement. It is a 15 ft miner and it is locate at 17th And Arapaho St. to this day. I just drove past it.

Quote from: Smithsonia on December 31, 2008, 10:00:01 PM
..........were all Air Force (not Air Corps strangely enough, as that's what is on the phone book listing)

Not to cause a major drift, but in my "The Officers Guide, 1941" it refers to the Air Corps Officers as being assigned to the "Army Air Forces".  Air Corps is the branch the Officers were assigned to (as in their career branch like infantry, signal and engineer). 

So I imagine the "Army Air Forces" were referred to as just the "Air Force" then. 

Thanks Timbo;
The phone book listing states:
War Department U. S. Headquarters 4th District Air Force Technical Command
5th Fl. Central Sav. BK. Bldg. Maj. Gen. John. F. Curry, Commander. No phone number listed. 

below that listing it states:
Air Corps Technical Training Command Lowry Field E. 6th Ave. and Quebec. Denver Branch. Brig. Gen. Harvey S. Burwell Commander.

Anyway, the listings are as stated above. Nothing is said about the Army. I can't explain all the variation or phone book listing edicts. Thanks for the feedback.

Here's another good if long article on the men that changed Air Corps into the AF, brought Maxwell Air Tactical School up to speed, created the modern AF Doctrines, and launched American Air Power to domination in WW2. You'll have to put this address into your browser. It won't click through.
aupress.maxwell.af.mil/Books/Benton/Benton.pdf

Eglin Field and Tuskegee's Moton Field each have Curry in their DNA. Both were off site/auxiliary fields for Maxwell AF and brought into the Maxwell sphere during the Curry Administration of Maxwell Field.
For more than sixty-five years and spanning six wars, Eglin has played a prominent role in airpower history. In 1931, personnel of the Army Air Corps Tactical School (Maxwell Field, Alabama under the command of John Curry) were looking for a site for a bombing and gunnery range, saw the potential of the sparsely populated forested areas surrounding Valparaiso, Florida, and the vast expanse of the adjacent Gulf of Mexico.

A local businessman and airplane buff, James E. Plew, saw the potential of a military payroll to boost the depression-stricken economy in the local area. He leased to the City of Valparaiso 137 acres on which an airport was established in 1933, and in 1934, Plew offered the U.S. government a donation of 1,460 contiguous acres for the bombing and gunnery base. This leasehold became the headquarters for the Valparaiso Bombing and Gunnery Base activated on 14 June 1935 under the command of Captain Arnold H. Rich. On 4 August 1937, the base was redesignated Eglin Field in honor of Lieutenant Colonel Frederick I. Eglin, U.S. Air Corps, killed on 1 January 1937 in an aircraft crash.
I have 2 pictures of Capt. Eglin and then Maj. Curry. circa 1928. I'm working on verifying some of the Tuskegee Inst. Moton Field information. But Tuskegee was upgraded with concrete and hangars during 1935-36. The Mat Field was added in '38 and Civilian Pilot Training began in '39-'40. More on this one later.

Tuskegee (Moton Field) was first built in the '20s. However, as a WPA project it started an additional build-out in 1935-36... This during the Curry administration of Maxwell. The 53rd and 125th WPA Construction battalions worked at both Maxwell and at Tuskegee, for instance. Then helped build Eglin Airfield in 1936-37. (see previous post) John Curry wanted auxiliary fields for Maxwell and interestingly enough provide pilot training for the Ethiopian Air Force against the Italian's during the African Campaign. Circa 1935-37. SEE HERE:
http://www.customessaymeister.com/customessays/Aviation/7916.htm
http://books.google.com/books?id=7FmlqfQmfqoC&pg=PA51&lpg=PA51&dq=tuskegee+ethiopian+air+force&source=bl&ots=K8SYcuH_U-&sig=jGUE1Em_QTnGLY9K2Ym372CmBss&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPA54,M1

Several Black American's would work on the WPA expansion of the field at Maxwell and Moton Field (Tuskegee) for the WPA. Then take pilot training for Ethiopia. Then return to Tuskegee and train with the 99th Pursuit Sqdn. for Europe.

As of yet I can not find a definitive source for John Curry's full involvement in all of this. However, given his help at finding mechanics and pilots for the Flying Tigers in China at the beginning of the War. His involvement behind the scenes at raising various resources for SE Asia (see earlier posts) and his strident defense of bringing Cadets, women, and integration to the CAP -- and his work with the CAP And Civilian Pilot training Program -- it seems likely that he was deeply involved in all (or most) of these matters at Tuskegee. Jack Curry for his day, was a very progressive man.

I do have a document titled "All Hands." John Curry is listed as one of 3 authors. In this report, he praises those marginalized and under utilized segments of the civilian population and how these people could be used in case of war. This document was written in 1938 while Col. Curry was on the War Dept. Generals Staff. It speaks highly and shows in detail how well women, African American (in his term the Negro race) and youth can be used in time of war. I don't have the entire document but I do have the summary. What spurred the writing of this report apparently came from a 2 month tour in 1936 of pre-war Germany. Curry wasn't impressed with the Nazis but was interested in the mistakes they were making by forcing out Jews. He seems to have been inspired to write this "inclusionary report" after watching the despicable marginalization of German Jews. I think the full document was classified and the summary is all that is left. This document is referenced several times by Fiorello LaGuardia in early 1941 as he built the Civil Defense Administration.

I can't say that I've found an Atticus Finch moment, in which John Curry faced-down the KKK on the courthouse steps, for instance. BUT, he lived as a son of Ireland, a practicing and devout Catholic, and his family had known discrimination. He had witnessed it the Army and the habits of the Jim Crow south. He seems to have been a man 20 or 30 years ahead of his time in this matter. Raising volunteers of Black Americans to fly for the Ethiopian Air Force against the Italians is the prelude to the Tuskegee Airmen of WW2 and integration of the US military just after the War.

So that no one gets the wrong idea about this thread. I've been blogging as fast as I can to distribute my research notes as fast as possible. I think the Curry Project is of interest to CAP and Air Force Historians, Public Affairs Officers, and cadets and senior members too. As such, some of these items are going to be revised as new information presents itself. I want to thank the CapTalk moderators for allowing me the privilege of telling this great man's story, if in this piece-meal form. I got the following email today from Maxwell AFBs Historian George Cully today:

Ed, thanks very much for this info -- and ESPECIALLY for the Captalk
website address.  Very interesting, and definitely of interest to AU.
Best,
Geo.

I appreciate every one's interest and encouragement in the Curry Project. That said, I'll be letting the research go for a little while -- as I'm working on a Museum Exhibit Project. When I re-start the Curry research in 5-6 weeks, or so... I'll be working mostly on his post Army/Air Force career, which was quite significant. BUT, this may be of less interest to CapTalk.

Thanks for tuning in. When I am done with all the research, probably this summer, I will do a large monograph with pictures and maps included. It will be available to CAP, should they like. I started the publication lay out last night and it looks to be 45-50 pages in total. BUT, likely this will not be completed for 6-9 months, perhaps a year. Right now, I've written nearly 8500 words on John Curry and still, there's much to tell. What a guy!

Ladies and Gentlemen;
As today (1-20-09) the Tuskegee Airmen are being honored during the Inauguration of Barack Obama -- The seminal historical review of Maj. Gen. John F. Curry is paying dividends. Please see the Encyclopedia Britannica item below -- Click here:
http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2009/01/honoring-the-tuskegee-airmen/

You will find that John F. Curry (in '34-'36) is now listed among those who worked to train the cadre of Black Americans who would one day be known as the Tuskegee Airmen. This Tuskegee work precedes the Airmen in WW2 and is not well known. This is a significant new piece of history coming from the Curry Research and now added to the Tuskegee Airman's legacy. Confirmation of these events from the researchers at Britannica are included in this piece.

Ok, seriously....

Eric Roth, who adapted Forest Gump and Benjamin Button for film, really needs to look at doing a biographical screenplay for John Curry. All these notable, historical tie-ins throughout his life are amazing!

I found it interesting that Fiorello La Guardia cited Curry's letter on the success at Tuskegee. I don't know what the relationship between these two had been before, but maybe it was an event like this that brought them together and led to the forming of Civil Air Patrol.

alamrcn;
Curry wasn't talking about Tuskegee per se'. He was addressing those parts of society that should be utilized incase of War and the mistake the Nazi's made by repressing the German Jews of 1937. The training at Tuskegee for the war in Abyssinia seems to be more than coincidental. LaGuardia would use the document as a building block of the Civil Defense planning in WW2.

Regarding John Curry and Fiorrella LaGuadia. It is in an earlier posting on this topic thread. They served together in WW1. Curry was the main training officer for aerial attacks on balloons for the Air Service. During WW1 they weren't stationed together (at least that I know) but Curry signed off LaGuardia for "balloon air-attack." In the War they both shot down a balloon each. Curry was in France. Laguardia was in Italy. (in WW1 Italy was on our side)

I don't have a bunch of references about the 2 keeping in contact between the Wars. However, in July 1941 LaGuardia went on a train tour of the west. He was head of the Civil Defense Administration at that time. He was rallying people to volunteer for Civilian Defense. He stopped in Denver and met with John Curry. I am supposing that they talked about CAP at that time... because 10 days later Curry's Civil Affairs Liaison/Chief of Staff in 2nd Air Force sends out letters asking Governors of the States to recommend people to be CAP Wing Commanders. And, 4 months later Curry becomes Commander of the Civil Air Patrol. Right now I'm trying to get confirmation on some of this from LaGuardia biographers. Right now this is all circumstantial. And, Curry's files on the subject and from this date are missing. The only reason I have the letter to the Governors is because I retrieved a copy sent to the Governor of Colorado from the State Historical Library.

Several people have commented about how amazing Jack Curry's career was. How Forrest Gump-ish it was. When Lt. Curry graduated from flight training there were 270 officers, mechanics, non-coms, pilots, navigators, observers, etc. and enlisted in the Air Service in total. He was military aviator number 56. At the end of WW1, because of men killed in accidents and combat he had a listing as the 20th highest rated military pilot, this includes Army, Navy, and Marines. By the end of WW2 he was the number 6 or 7 highest rated pilot. This figure is arrived at by number of years in service, his rank, number of ratings held, and total hours flown. AND the Army/Army Air Corps had 3 million plus people in uniform.

The remarkable things he did? Are due to the seminal place he stood in the huge growth of American Air Power. Including his 40 years in the service. Jack Curry saw much. Jack Curry did much. Jack Curry had an amazing career indeed.

Ladies and Gentlemen;
Capt. Scott Orr, Black Sheep Squadron Public Affairs Officer of the Colorado Wing has completed a You Tube report on the Maj. Gen. Curry Award and Salute which took place Dec. 6th 2008 and in referenced in threads above. If you'd like to see it - Click here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtLVB618U98

Scott has been of great service in the Curry work.

Additionally, I spoke to Sheila Curry DeKalb, the General's daughter, a few days ago. She was unaware of the General's connection with the Tuskegee Airmen. I've also been in contact with several historians who are more familiar with Tuskegee's Heritage. So this is opening a new and exciting avenue of research that is just now being uncovered.

I have a correction from a previous blog on this thread., and I think I've warned that these would come up from time to time.

George Cully at Air University sent me the following question yesterday:

"I can't quite follow the chronology ref'd in your comment "June '42-Sept. '42".  Did you mean
June '42 - Sept. '43?  There was only one raid in 1942 (the HALPRO
mission in June), and nothing further until Op'n Tidal Wave in Aug 43.
JFC left CAP in April 42 to go to Denver, and he was assigned there
until the summer of 1944.  (That's not to say he couldn't have been sent
overseas for a short time, of course).  As Chief of the AF Eval Board
for MTO (Jul 44-Mar 45), JFC was involved in analytic work that included
the Ploesti campaign, and there's a 'hit' in AFHRA's computer index for
'Curry-Ploesti.'  It's Vol VI of an AAF Eval Report."   
Cully, George W Civ USAF AETC AU/HO

It turns out the after Ploesti action report that I am referring to was done after a trip to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations in the Fall of 1943. Not '42 as previously reported. I hope to get a copy of this after action report and place it in the Curry Research Catalog.

I thank George for his interest and helping clearing this up.
With regards;
ED OBRIEN

Great stuff!  Thx for the update.

Very interesting stuff! Thanks, Ed! I was impressed Scott's video of the promotion ceremony at General Curry's grave.

I've been doing similar research on Gill Robb Wilson. I originally got started after attending the annual Memorial Day ceremony for Wilson. After retiring from "Flying" magazine, he moved to Clairmont, CA, where he lived for the last 10 years of his life. For the past 20 years or so, I have been the Master of Ceremonies at the annual memorial, held at Forest Lawn Covina Hills (about 10 miles East of Los Angeles, CA). I read at least one poem by Wilson, and quote the final paragraph from his autobiography, "I Walked with Giants." That final paragraph phrases CAP, but gives no details about its founding or his role. Wilson set aside work on the manuscript to write an obituary for test pilot Joe Walker. Wilson planned another 100 pages but died a few months later. It would be interesting to try to track down his notes.

Interesting to see Gen Bobick in Scott's video. The general attended the Gill Robb Wilson Memorial Ceremony when he was National Commander.

Charles;
Go after GRW. It is important work. We honor ghosts and phantoms unless we find their footprints. Those prints are everywhere. Those footprints invite you to follow behind.

I've been in contact with many people working on various biography projects. I've reported about those in blogs on previous pages.

I urge those who would take up the cause to write about their subject. Those who care about the cause, to read about these subjects. AND those who would like, join, share, engage, and research
biographies and events of the Civil Air Patrol... let us know what you find.

This history waits. This history calls. These characters live. AND, their stories... will knock you dead.

We found what appears to be Jack Curry's Army Air Force Summer dress suntans. They've been lost to history. 40 Regular. Apparently there is also his belt with his command badge floating around the old Colorado Wing HQ at Buckley AFB too. This according to former Wing Commander Col. Jack Buschmann.

There was an exhibit from years gone by that was put together by a previous Wing historian... I came across the pictures of this exhibit on 2-25. I think I know the uniform... it is in a locker in the ladies restroom... of all places at hangar 909. the uniform is not marked as belonging to Jack Curry. As soon as we can find the key to this locker... which I have been in several times... I'll have this prize. It is unadorned and although it has patches it has no regalia, ribbons, wings, stars, or command badge... BUT I also have his official Air Force portrait painted in 1944 with everything properly painted in it's place and on this uniform. SO... the regalia is with Sheila Curry DeKalb. The uniform is in the restroom. The painting is at my house. I didn't steal it... just borrowed it for a few weeks as I try to put this all together.

One day soon I hope to put it all together and have an exhibit of the General including these items and a record his valiant and dedicated service to CAP, the Army, and the Air Force ready. So a monograph and museum exhibit seem likely some time this summer... for John F Curry. More soon. You find the oddest things in the oddest places. Historians take note and go into the ladies bathroom occasionally.

Too cool.  I hope you're going to take pictures.

Gunner; Pics? Wilco!
I am normally not much on uniform exhibits. Empty uniforms in life are empty uniforms in museums. Meaning, if I can find the person. If I can find the contributions, and grit, and honor, and personal life, and achievements, and personality, and legacy... then I am interested in the uniforms. Only when the story's main character is 3-dimensional is it worth placing the uniform on display. Then and only then do you get a feeling that the main character is present. Only then do we want to see him fully and vividly portrayed.

I am a storytelling researcher first. Archivist and myself have gone around and around for years with the limits of an exhibit space and parsing the story down to get an irrelevant picture to fit, while my research and story gets cut down because in museums there's mostly drive-by readers -- BUT -- In this case we have the man and the uniform. We have most everything we need to tell the story and show the man... so, for the first time -- I think a museum exhibit too is now appropriate. Where? I'll work on that for a while.

It is apparent to me, although I am still trying to find the definitive link that Colorado WW2 CAP DO Capt. Bill Madsen, Wing CC Harold Smethills and Maj. General John Curry worked out the SAR portfolio for CAP Nationally during the War and that is the same assignment we treasure to this day.

Again the organizing background for CAP was NOT SAR. Initially, 1st/2nd Air Force were to handle this Continental SAR duty for private and military aviation alike. A B24 crash near Taos N.M. (see Neprud book) in Dec. 42 proved that the Air Corps couldn't handle this duty and needed smaller lighter aircraft to get in low, slow, and sooner. We weren't the officially ordered SAR Air Force outfit until April '43.

This mission was accomplished by a CAP squadron out of Alamosa CO. John Curry had previously been in Denver as 2nd Air Force Commander, then become CAP national commander, put Smethills and Madsen in place, then moved on and returned to Denver as 2nd Air Force (4th Dist.) Training and Technical Commander. This can not be coincidence as these people knew and respected the abilities of each. These people were all friends and met socially. I'm thinking that there must be some paperwork somewhere, perhaps at Maxwell that link all of these decisions.

If anyone is interested and can find the links, it would help put this story together. Earl Johnston was National Commander in Dec '42 - Hap Arnold was the Air Corps Commander. It would be great to find the after-action report describing the process of how this all came together. It would also clear up some of the misunderstanding of our History which is often mis-represented by members who believe that CAP began as a SAR arm of the Air Corps which is incorrect. The internal debate and thought process would be good to know. If anyone can help clarify this process... chime in. I'm stymied at the moment.

Well there is confusion regarding several items. According to Sheila Curry DeKalb The Major General was buried in the Bespoke British made suntan set Summer Uniform. So I am now looking for another official Winter Uniform which was donated to CAP upon the death of the General.

Also buried with him was his Command Badge. A one of a kind made for him by a group of Fellow Wartime Generals and presented to him about 6 months after he received his full and final rank. Apparently it was ordered out New York, perhaps Tiffanys, and people like Tooey Spaatz, George Kenney, and Hap Arnold chipped in.

So I guess I now know where both of these historical treasures are but there is no chance to make an exhibit using them... without disturbing the good General and his wife of course. I've got plenty of pictures of both of these items. These were obviously the uniform and
piece of regalia that most pleased the General. According to Sheila it fit him well even 30 years after it was first made for him. Rest in peace, Jack.

I have acquired for - for further display - the Ceremonial Belt and Sash that Maj. Gen. Curry used with his dress mess. It is a bright gold with thin blue stripes built on a nice leather girdle about 4 inches wide with the Air Force Eagle buckle (bright gold finish) and a shoulder sash - with tassels - made of the same color -- but from a lighter fabric than the belt. It was made by Meyers Army and Navy Supply of New York City. There is an additional buckle to which, I am supposing, a ceremonial sword was once attached. This buckle appears to have been used some and so there must be a sword about somewhere.

The belt and sash have been in the Colorado CAP Buckley AFB Hangar 909 Office for years. Former Wing Commander Col. Jack Buschmann tipped me to its presence and Patti Sampers retrieved it.

Beautifully constructed but a bit gaudy by today's uniform standards. Actually, it is really gaudy. I imagine that a room full of similarly dressed Generals would have been impressive at a senior officers dress mess. BUT, you wouldn't want to be caught dead walking around in public dressed in this sash. You might be otherwise thought to be a Generalissimo.

I have been told that at least one picture of the Good General dressed in this belt and sash exists and I hope to get a copy of that pic soon.

We are still looking for more uniform items that are around this office at Buckley AFB. I hope to gather all of this material soon for a museum display. This is an interesting piece of militaria. I hope to find out more specifics about it... More soon.   

Quote from: Smithsonia on July 23, 2008, 10:48:11 PM
After talking to Maj. Gen. Curry's daughter -- she has more than a few things to add to his biography. Historians and AEO's take notes.
1. He bought Ford Island on which Hickham Field Hawaii was built. He was a Captain when he did that, sometime around 1922.

I soloed off of Ford Island in 1998 when I was taking flying lessons while stationed at Schofield Barracks, HI

Schofield Barracks is a remarkable place all unto its own. With the Pearl Harbor Day bullet holes and plantation (Colonial) architecture - It is history - both place and event - all in one. For me, they lined us up for our Vietnam vaccinations a battalion (about a thousand) at a time.

Schofield Barracks was featured in "From Here to Eternity" - so everybody has seen it if only in the movies -

Using the Yard at the Center of the Quad, 50-60 nurses (males and females) gave a shot in each butt-cheek to about 5000-10,000 men in one day. There were Marines, Navy, Air Force, Army all there. There were officers and enlisted in Undershirts and GI skivvies, holding paperwork and shuffling through a mass physical. 

I later asked a nurse if she found looking all of our bums insulting to her sensibilities. She said, "About the first 200 bothered me, then they turned into drilling holes on an assembly line."

I often think of the heroes of Ford Island and Schofield Barracks and do NOT think I am among them. But I did get shot at -not once, but twice - At Schofield Barracks in 1968. True Story but off the topic, so thanks for the indulgence.

Many CAP Members attend the Ft. Logan National Cemetery Memorial Day Commemoration here in Denver. This year we are meeting after the flyby and walking over to Maj. General John Curry's Grave for a salute. "General and Mrs. Curry the Civil Air Patrol is here to thank you for your service to our country and your dedicated duty to the Civil Air Patrol. God bless you and rest in eternal peace."

As long as I am alive we'll do this each Memorial Day in the name of the Patrol.

 :clap: :clap: :clap:

As part of my research on John Curry I've been reading about the trial of Billy Mitchell. Pardon the extra on-coming verbiage but the right words are important.

As I have written previously... John Curry spoke on behalf of Billy Mitchell during his trial. Douglas MacArthur voted against the Court-Martialing of Billy Mitchell. He was the only officer who voted as "dissenting" on the charges against Mitchell. Meaning of 12 officer-judges, there was only one vote against the sacking of Billy Mitchell. That judge was Douglas MacArthur. Another man who worked with John Curry on behalf of Gen. Mitchell was George Kenney. Kenney would later be the air commander for MacArthur during all of WW2. Kenney is often described as a close friend and associate of Curry's. I have several letters between the two. These letters are full of teasing admiration and generous words on behalf of each. Each is marked "secret." Meaning even transient letters had some content that was of intelligence value and therefore needed to be protected. Kenney prepared Curry to testify on behalf of Mitchell. For Curry and Kenney this took a bit of courage as each was a Captain and many Generals were watching their every utterance on behalf of Mitchell.

Another officer who spoke on behalf of Mitchell was Robert Olds. Robert Olds would later become Second Air Force Commander during WW2. John Curry recommended Gen. Olds for this job. John Curry had been the Organizing Commander for 2nd Air Force (3 years previous) in the same way Curry was Organizing Commander for CAP. Robert Olds is the father of WW2-Vietnam Triple Fighter Ace Robin Olds. Robin Olds is often featured on the History Channel. Robert Olds has always been described as a protege of John Curry.

I suppose what I am describing in a loyal cabal of forward thinking officers that formed and sustained each other from the Billy Mitchell Court Martial through WW2. Hap Arnold was the obvious leader and the names of the others are feathered through this long and extensive thread.

It remains of great interest how the sterling careers of fine American Heroes of uncontested loyalty and highest principles are often described as "sponsored by" a "colleague of" or an "associate of" John Curry.

I'm reading about the "bomber mafia" The bomber mafia is group of men that conducted debates at Maxwell in the mid-30s. The bomber mafia men debated over a series of studies and exercises that eventually lead to the B17, B24, and B29. The bomber mafia is what also leads to the early retirement of Claire Chennault and self imposed exile to China because fighter/pursuit technologies were being dismissed in favor of bombers ... many of these Bomber Mafioso" are also described as Curry associates. Chennault who worked for Curry for 5 years is never described in this way. Although according to Sheila Curry DeKalb - the General's Daughter - "Daddy always spoke highly about Gen. Chennault." Meaning, I think the Curry/Chennault relationship was "complex." As I've written before, Curry helped supply men, mechanics, logistics, and ideas to the Chennault led AVG/Flying Tigers. Complex seems to work as a descriptor of the relationship between these AIR POWER titans.

I'm telling you Curry is at the fulcrum of much, always lurking behind the scenes and just out of reach. Always in the thick of the discussions, arguments, and debates. But such a delicately well balanced intellect that others are blamed or credited with the hard-feelings and animosity and never Curry. To accomplish this his judicious intellectual rigor and sincere sense of duty is never ever questioned. It is remarkable to read around the edges, to see the sparking of huge debates, as he listens to the presentations, helps each side hone their arguments, investing his eloquence in the process, leading by example, and leaving the fingerprints of only well chosen words signed by others. To me - John Curry is less a debater, or debate judge and more ... the finest debate coach American Air Power has ever known.

If there was a Mafia, Hap Arnold was the Godfather, Chennault and Kenney were some of the trigger men, so to speak... and John Curry was the mob's lawyer.

John Curry is just amazing.

Looking back on it, it seems obvious that these men would have known each other.  The AAC was truly small and its senior officers would have "grown up" together.  The part about D. Mac being the lone dessenting vote on the Mitchell court martial board is very interesting.  MacArthur was a bit of a rogue himself, being exiled to the Philippines after his retirement as Army Chief of Staff.  He and his father were deeply rooted in the PI and D. Mac became IIRC marshal of the PI Army before his recall to AD.

It's fascinating to see  Mitchell, Curry, Kenney, MacArthur, Olds, and later Robin Olds all had ties.  What a heritage!

Continuing with the friends of John Curry theme. -- George Kenney is a fascinating man. George Kenney was a close-close-close friend of John Curry. Read his wiki-bio here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Kenney

1. George Kenney - Shot down Herman Goering in WW1. Too bad Herman lived to fight another day.

2. George Kenney (working for Douglas MacArthur) - defended Australia, New Zealand, and the Guadalcanal slot when America was out gunned and on the run in the South West Pacific after the fall of the Philippines . The defense of Australia, The Battle of the Bismark Sea, the Battle of New Guinea, the Battle of the Coral Sea, Guadalcanal, Cactus Air Force, are all lesser known WW2 scenes. Look these up. These were amazing days and the world was hanging by a thread. Realize the distances that crews and planes were flying and the antiquated equipment they were flying and you'll realize that some strokes of luck and pluck were at play. George Kenney did more with less than any MAJCOMM in WW2.

3. George Kenney was the first Commander of Air University at Maxwell and brought CAP into it's MAJCOMM Structure in 1948... I would think but don't actually know -- after talking to the then recently retired and close-close friend Jack Curry.

4. Kenney was a fine writer in his own right. He wrote 2 books after WW2. Part of the bond between Kenney and Curry seems to be the clarity and regard with which each man expressed themselves. Speaking as a writer there is a natural attraction to editorially honed minds. To the ability of vast and vivid expression all writers are drawn. I am sure this was part of their mutual admiration.

Early in the war - Maj. Gen. John Curry was working on extending the range and load of both B17 and B-25s for George Kenney in Australia from the Western Technical and Training Command Headquarters in Denver at Lowry AF in late '42 and early '43. At the same time Curry was working on raising the service ceiling of the C-46 Commando, using water injection, so it could fly over the Himalayan hump for Claire Chennault and fly logistics into China after the fall of the Burma Road. So some of the Luck and Pluck was supplied by Curry and the Western Technical and Training Command.

BUT - I am working on a bigger story. How John Curry and the Civil Air Patrol Helped Shorten The War! This one has 2nd Air Force, Col. Paul Tibbets, Gen. Jack Curry, B-29s, Petersen Field Colorado Springs, CO, Los Alamos, and The CAP Courier Service -- BUT I've got a lot more research to do. I'm not completely sure that this story will fall together or when I'll get it figured out... however, I am working on it. I guess all I can say is stay tuned!

The clues are so tantalizing on this one but the proof is so thin. I hope I can validate this but have no real idea at this moment.

Being that this is Memorial Day - I am donning in my uniform and heading to Ft. Logan National Cemetery to spend a few hours with Cadets and Seniors with the General and Mrs. Curry. I'll give them regards from the Civil Air Patrol.

Quote from: Smithsonia on May 25, 2009, 12:01:50 PM
Continuing with the friends of John Curry theme. -- George Kenney is a fascinating man. George Kenney was a close-close-close friend of John Curry. Read his wiki-bio here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Kenney

3. George Kenney was the first Commander of Air University at Maxwell and brought CAP into it's MAJCOMM Structure in 1948... I would think but don't actually know -- after talking to the then recently retired and close-close friend Jack Curry.

At the time GEN Kenny was Commander of Air University, CAP came under HQ, USAF and was headquartered at Bolling AFB, DC. When I joined CAP in 1965, it came under what was then USAF Continental Air Command. It wasn't until the late 60's that it came under the Air University. It's my assumption that the change from HQ-USAF was coincident with GEN Spaatz's stepping down as Chairman of the Board of CAP.

Cecil DP;
You very well could be right. The list of officers who are credited with bringing CAP into Air University include George Kenney. I guess I made the assumption that this was during his tenure as Commander of AU and never thought it was done after his retirement but obviously before his death in 1977. Thanks - I'll put some research time on straightening that out.

I appreciate the fact checking. It is the reason I've worked so long on this thread... to display the information in a timely manner, but also to keep it all straight. You're helping to do exactly that.

Memorial Day, May 25th 2009 - Ft. Logan National Cemetery - Denver, CO. (1100 hrs)

Rain pours but Duty is clear:

About twenty Cadets and Senior Members of the Colorado Wing of the Civil Air Patrol stood along Omaha Drive at Ft Logan National Cemetery today. Under a drizzle that marched towards steady and for a moment raged torrential, sour weather scraped  this commemoration to the barest of rituals: The National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer, and an AT-6 flyby... flew bye in 10 minutes, then the rains came.

--  "In a moment we could hear nothing but the words 'canceled', 'sorry', 'thank you', 'drive carefully." And the assembled two thousand soggy souls hustled for their cars, canceling political speeches and other fare. It now seemed a day made for working in the mud.

Beneath a few umbrellas the Civil Air Patrol contingent weighed the options. Lt. Beth Biscardi asked that the cadets, dressed in shirt sleeve blues, be dismissed... and upon her good advice this was done.

The Senior Officers discussed and concluded that for most of us this event was a washout. However, Lt. Col. Sid Altum and Maj. Don MacCleod volunteered to finish the graveside salutes, alone and in appalling conditions. Which in its way, is the most appropriate of salutes from the Civil Air Patrol.

Project Officer Lt. Ed O'Brien stated; "We had made promises to do salutes... and promises we keep."

Cars blocked every Avenue and Street. This was to be a one mile walking round trip through the cemetery to each grave - the rain never stopped, but Sid Altum and Don MacLeod did - First to area #29 marker 976 and Col. Norman Kholos, then Maj. Earl Berger at site 53 grave 193, and finally Maj. Gen. John Curry and his wife, Eleanor, at Q-4172.

Sid and Don saluted each stone and each man: calling aloud their names, recounting their service; calling themselves to "attention", "SA - LUTE", "at ease",  -- then off they moved.

Along rivulets of washout they tiptoed, through soft footing they maneuvered, and around quick exiting cars they paused - MacLeod and Altum, on their duty, tramped this respectful mile.

Families and friends of servicemen and women unknown to Don and Sid sat among puddles next to graves.  "They looked a little forlorn, a bit cheated by this weather -- so, if the moment felt right -- We approached and simply asked; may we offer our salute to your loved one, sir. May we salute this hero ma'am?"

To attention came Don. To salute came Sid. To offer thanks to this family. To honor the dead.

In this manner these officers continued for 90 minutes.

It should be noted that when Col. Altum and Maj. MacLeod departed these wet and glistening grounds, there was not another uniform in sight. The Civil Air Patrol was the last organization in the field this day. Even though the rain poured, the duty of the Patrol remained clear and the mission accomplished.

I wish to thank the following members who attended this day's ceremony: Lt. Ken Ackerman, SM Robert Miller, Lt. Col. Sid Altum, Col. Jim Cooksey, Maj. Don MacLeod, Col. Robert Cook, Lt. Co. Bill and Barbara Gentry, Lt. Beth Biscardi, and Cadets Stephen Scheffel, Alex Axford, Alec Biscardi, Jacob Vanderhyde, Aaron Vanderhyde, Jeremy Vanderhyde, Ryne T. Sepper, Noah Gibbs. My thanks to Kim Long for the photographs below.

With respect and regards for a fine day in the field;
Lt. Ed O'Brien

Project Officer

I have referenced this photo several times in this thread. It is among the most historically important photos in all of the Air Power debate.
http://www.centennialofflight.gov/wbh/loc_wb_pdf/html/img/135-B_00694r.jpg
I believe the man on the right is Fred Eglin - for whom Eglin AFB is named. If anyone can point out different please do. He worked for John Curry for many years.
2nd on the right is Charles Lindbergh who has just returned from his trans-Atlantic flight. He has just returned from Europe, had his New York City ticker tape parade, gone to meet the President and various Washington Dignitaries, then gone to meet Maj. (at that time) John F. Curry (center). Curry is, at this moment, commandant of Hamilton Field near Dayton. Curry is in charge of building Wright Field.

These gentlemen have just toured what will become Wright Field (Wright Patterson AFB) The date is June 1927. Orville Wright is immediately to the left of Curry. Plans for Wright's workshop has just been scaled back. Likely he is not happy about this. Lindbergh has just been solicited to help build American Air Power. Curry delivered these very different messages to both men.

Orville Wright had not been active in aircraft technological development for many years. For the most part by this time Wright was an icon and an anachronism and less relevant. Lindbergh was to be the future, Wright the past, and Curry in the middle of it all.

I revisited this photo many times over the last few days as I am preparing a talk about Curry for Cadets at the Air Force Academy. SO often we think of these iconic figures of aviation without remembering they were human. Their lives had disappointments and anxieties, low and high points, melancholia and triumph. This is such a big moment. This is such a human moment. This is among the most remarkable pictures in American Aviation history and there isn't a plane in sight.

The significance of the photos of Curry, Lindbergh, and Orville Wright continue.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a7/John_F_Curry.jpg

Don't be fooled by this photo. Although Lindbergh and Curry are facing one another in what appears to be a spirited conversation with Wright as the outside looking in man.

Orville Wright's photographer is taking this set of pictures. Orville Wright every moment is captured on glass plates. There are 10s of thousands of these glass plates I suppose. Wrights photographer is directing the placement and action.

The group would rearrange themselves so that some photos have Curry in the middle, some have Lindbergh in the middle, and some have Wright in the middle. So here's what is worth taking away from this photo series. Pictures, the iconography of Orville's meetings and moments, were more important to him than what was said or done. He wanted to be there. He wanted to be relevant. He would be relevant, but mostly as head of the Civil Aeronautic Administration and as a bureaucrat. His day was passing.

These pictures are just fascinating. Utterly fascinating!

I see that Curry has a cane in his hands.  Did he have some sort of disability, was this a recent injury, or was it just a "gentleman's accessory" of the time?

Gunner C;
The cane. Yes, Sometime ago I asked his daughter about the cane. Sheila Curry DeKalb doesn't actually know about the cane but this is our supposition taken from her observations... Jack Curry carried a cane around his many many construction projects.

The cane is not an affectation and is not for walking. (Although Jack Curry was a daily walker.) It is for making the grandest of gestures in sweeping motions as he points here and there to the large construction projects of runways, tower, hangars, and the like. Often, and this picture is one of these cases, there is a retinue of 15-50 touring his projects. He is explaining it all: gutters, sidewalks, headquarters, chow hall, gymnasium, on and on.

Jack Curry was a wonderful storyteller and host. Cane? It is his laser pointer, his conductors baton, and symbol of his authority over the construction and command of the language. Jack Curry was a heck of a guy!

There is more to take away from this photo too. His shoes are non-standard non-military Wing tips. I also have a much larger blow up of this picture, in the
enlarged version you can see little rips, frays, cuts, and bald spots in his uniform. Jack Curry was dressed to work this day. Dressed for comfort and dressed with attention. BUT, no matter the prominence of his guests - he was dressed for work, in the field. So I would argue - for a Major, who is briefing the most significant personages of his day
(Wright and Lindbergh) that is a rather large display of confidence, and not casualness.

So the picture is - (Wright) One man of history, (Lindbergh) one man of destiny, and one Major (Curry) holding court not as the sovereign but as their judge (who has just delivered his verdict). An amazing set of photos indeed.

I have questions about the Bomber Mafia, Claire Chennault, John Curry, and numoerous other characters.

The Bomber Mafia Debate can be found here as described by Gen. Hansell, bombings main proponent in the AAF, sorry for the long URL.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AAF/Hansell/img/p9b.jpg&imgrefurl=http://ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AAF/Hansell/Hansell-1.html&usg=__-EleCl-1cQqnC2A5-jgSsOrl9W8=&h=470&w=438&sz=75&hl=en&start=72&tbnid=nnKAv9ViDNvGdM:&tbnh=129&tbnw=120&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmaj.%2Bgen.%2BJohn%2BF.%2BCurry%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26start%3D60

As regards Jack Curry here is the meat for CAP/AAF Studies:
The Air Corps Tactical School was established at Langley Field, Virginia, in 1920. Beginning as a Field Officers' School, it did not expand its scope of instruction and stress airpower employment until the end of the decade. Then, the school was blessed with a group of gifted leaders and independent thinkers -- Robert Olds, Kenneth Walker, Harold Lee George, Donald Wilson, Muir "Santy" Fairchild -- names honored by the Air War College, Air Command and Staff College, Air Force Academy, and throughout the modern Air Force. But there was another stalwart leader who has received less recognition, though he should be listed among the best. This was John F. Curry, Commandant of the Air Corps Tactical School from 1931 to 1935, a period when the principal texts were prepared for Air Warfare and Principles of Air Force Employment. Much of the basic strategy of American air power was developed under his regime. At a time when the War Department was threatening dire punishment from above, Curry protected the freedom of his faculty. He made possible the development of doctrines of air power which formed the basis for the creation of the Army Air Forces (AAF) and its employment in World War II. Under his leadership the school bridged the transition from broad generalities of pioneering air prophets to more pragmatic application of air power in attainment of specific objectives.

The early visionaries and proponents had made great claims for air power. Their strategic concepts all depended upon one basic tactical concept accepted by the Tactical School as a fundamental doctrine: bombers could reach their targets and destroy them.

    Since this philosophy had not been demonstrated in war, it was not universally accepted even in the Air Corps. There was little argument that nations needed industrial systems or that bombs could paralyze such systems. But the third premise ("the bombers will always get through") was vigorously protested by the pursuit people. However in 1932, when these concepts were first advanced, bombers rode the crest of technological achievement. They were just about as fast as the current fighters. Having the enormous advantage of the initiative, they could pick the time, place, altitude, and route of attack. Moreover, they could capitalize on the principle of mass, concentrating at the critical point. Defending pursuit planes possessed no such advantage. This was before the day of radar or even an observer corps. This still left one variable: Could the bombs be properly placed and, if so, how large a force was necessary to reasonably assure getting the requisite number of hits on the target? We worked up tables of probability based on peacetime, daylight, visual bombing practice. These served as a guide in selecting the size force that would assure the desired bomb hits and destruction.

The egalitarian qualities that Jack Curry worked through in the AAF cannot be overstated.

As previously discussed he had the Essays and Studies presented in the "All Hands" Paper which clearly stated that an oncoming War with Germany was winnable if for no other fact that through repression of the Jewish Minority "they have lost their brightest minds and this brilliance has now been gifted here, and to us. The refugees are not a problem they are a Godsend."

In this Jack Curry was speaking about Albert Einstein and what would become the A-Bomb scientist of Los Alamos Labs. Although Jack Curry was quite prescient as he wrote this document in 1938.

Also providing pilot training to "Negroes in Tuskegee" in 1934-35. Those 1934-35 pilots would fly in Ethiopia with distinction and would go on to organize the acclaimed Tuskegee Airmen of 1943-45.

AND the CAP: Regarding Curry - Cadets - and women in the Civil Air Patrol Please find the following from AFIU.

As Gen. Curry stated, "Without such a plan [as CAP], there might be no private aviation for the duration of the war; with such a plan, there is a chance that private flying might continue and develop." Under Curry's guidance, wings were formed in every state. He help mobilize 100,000 private pilots for non-combatant service; thus freeing military pilots for wartime duty. There was no discrimination because of one's gender. Individual ability, experience and past records were the real criteria for selection. Again, in Curry's words, "There must be no doubt in the minds of our gallant women fliers that they are needed and, in my opinion, indispensable to the full success of the CAP organization. A great part of the progress made in organizing civilian aviation under Civil Air Patrol has been due to the volunteer help given by women flyers.... Although he only served a few months as national Commander, Maj. Gen. Curry's organizational skills were influential in determining the future growth of this new resource. Originally, CAP was given the opportunity to prove itself for a 90-day test period. However, thanks to the vision of John F. Curry, and others like him, CAP remained throughout the war as an effective demonstration of volunteer spirit.

The Story of the Bomber Mafia in the mid-30s at Maxwell Field, which was under the command of Col. John Curry, continues. The rise of American Airpower and the story of daylight bombing; the B17. B24, and B29 begin with the debates among these men. (the Bomber Mafia and the Pursuit Boys.)

Ultimately as proposterous as it must have sounded in 1932-35 the Bomber Mafia was proven truly visionary, don't forget WW2 did end with 2 daylight bombing raids carrying the Atomic weapon. The cold war reflected this philosophy too... so add the B-47, B-52, and ballistic missiles to the eventual conclusion and outcomes of these Bomber Mafia debates.

May I introduce you to another most significant yet forgotten Air Force figure; Maj. Gen. Haywood Hansell.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haywood_S._Hansell
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0ICK/is_4_14/ai_75578190/

After spending nearly a year on research, getting to meet and talk to the Maj. Generals 83 year old daughter Sheila many times, talking to his grandniece Kim, seeing his personal letters and diaries, becoming more familiar with the man than almost anyone left on earth, attending to his grave at various patriotic ceremonies, admiring him and wishing that I had known him, I will end my research for several months.

I think I've done good work. The remaining material that I need is in Washington DC and at Maxwell. I will travel both places next year but that means putting more research on hold.

I've written nearly 50,000 words on this man. My respect for him grows. My appreciation for his noble life expands. That said, there is nothing that I can add for the time being.

I ask that the Captalk Webmasters move this thread to a position of a sticky. If you deem that it not go there, then I will find it again and add material as I am able.

I will be using his biography at several lectures I will give this summer. In these Jack Curry is the narrative character for the rise of American Air Power, the establishment of the Air Force, the building of the Air Force Academy, the study of accomplishment and leadership brought through a military education, and of course as an singularly
indivisible link between CAP - It's future and its past. Jack Curry was one heck of a guy!

Thanks for tuning in. I appreciate the 6000 or so reads of the material. I trust you found it informative. When I have more, I'll write more. For now, I am leaving Jack Curry and his dear wife Eleanor in peace. God bless them both.

Ed
Congraulations on your present and future efforts. I hope that you're able to use the materials for a book or maybe a Master's/Doctoral thesis

Cecil DP'
I have been contacted by a University Press. Nothing has been set up. I did this for the love of bringing a new character (or underexposed character) to light. It is a rare thing to find someone so overlooked. BUT, that makes him even more attractive to me. I like the doers and care less about the show-offs. Gen. Patton/Gen. MacArthur/Hitler/Mussolini/Julius Caesar/ and Bull Halsey, etc. take note. I like Adm Mark Mitscher http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Mitscher, Arliegh Burke http://navysite.de/people/aaburke.htm, and the previously discussed George Kenney, Ira Eakers, and Marty Scanlon  ...I like subjects with the keenest of insights, the truest of spines, fewer glory goofy historians, and less publicity.

I like Jack Curry a lot. That said, I've tried to be intellectually honest and transparent as I've figured out these things.

You must understand that this book thing is not a money maker under the best of circumstances. Old Generals just fade away, you know. So do their biographers. BUT, I think Jack Curry is one of the greatest but most overlooked characters in Air Force/Army Air Corps history. If I can get the Tuskegee Airmen research and the Bomber Mafia/Pursuit Boys discussions/debates all figured out... then frankly this is a book that needs to be written.

I've got 50 never published pictures and I am negotiating for his diaries and personal papers. The rest is research and writers-historians-brain damage. Frankly, I've worked on Biographies of perhaps 10 different Generals. This is the first one that I liked as a man and as a historical figure. Frankly this guy just stands taller than most. Frankly this guy is a better man than I am and I recognize the difference.

I am not a sycophant (i've been doing this kind of thing too long for that nonsense) but I am pleased to get to know him and introduce you to him. In the abstract, he is a much respected and cherished friend.

When you publish it, let us know.  I want a copy for my library, signed by the author of course.  ;D

Gunner;
You are too kind. It will be awhile as the research is at least another 16 months work... but that said, of course I will.

I was at the Air Force Academy yesterday for the Colorado WG encampment. It is good to be among friends and cadets. I spoke about Jack Curry for about an hour. I know that I had a good time. I trust that the cadets weren't too bored.

On a bit of a melancholy note: I went to the graves of Carl Spaatz and Curtis LeMay. The Air Force Academy Cemetery is smallish and contains plaques and remains only. There is a Kiosk to look up names and a map. However once on the field there are no signs. Where is area 3? Where is plot 26? There is no clue.

The cemetery is a well tended. It is a sunny lush green field with flat markings for the grave sites. The Mountains casts beauty, in the shadow of Pikes Peak, where Katherine Bates wrote America the Beautiful in 1904. The place is tranquil enough but grass had grown over the name Spaatz... you could easily read  ... arl S... but needed to clear the rest by hand to find the name and read the full inscription. The corners were matted with last weeks or last months browned cuttings filled the wallow that held the plaque. I dusted it off by hand... I stood and saluted the General and his wife.

How fleeting glory is. How common we will are all be one day. How fast memories will fade. How fast? Fast enough to have disappointed my time with Gen. Spaatz.

I was asked by a woman coming to visit the site of her father. She asked to whom my salute was intended. For an old General, Carl Spaatz, I said. She asked "Who?" Again, I said General Carl Spaatz. She shrugged her shoulders as she didn't recognize his name and silently she moved on.

How fleeting glory is. How common we will all become. 

:clap:

The first anniversary of the Curry thread past without my notice. I was working on our Colorado Wing Sar Air Force Eval. It went well and we got an Excellent Grade.

I will be back on Curry Patrol Soon. I am headed to California in a few weeks and hope to see Shield Curry DeKalb. By the way, she very much appreciates the esteem and honorable attention her most noble father has been treated in this thread. More soon.

Quote from: Smithsonia on July 28, 2009, 02:59:19 PM
The first anniversary of the Curry thread past without my notice. I was working on our Colorado Wing Sar Air Force Eval. It went well and we got an Excellent Grade.

I will be back on Curry Patrol Soon. I am headed to California in a few weeks and hope to see Shield Curry DeKalb. By the way, she very much appreciates the esteem and honorable attention her most noble father has been treated in this thread. More soon.

Great!  I enjoy the narrative.  Heroes shouldn't fade away (apologies to MacArther).

Thanks Gunner;
Jack Curry is worth the time and scholarship. For whatever reason he purged his files before he died. His files were purged again when his daughter Joan passed away. It is obvious to me that there is much about Curry in the Hap Arnold, Charles Lindbergh, Carl Spaatz, and Ira Eakers Files. So those are the place to look next. When the Air Force Academy Opens up for fall semester I will have access to the Arnold files and many of the Spaatz files. However most of the rest of the material resides Maxwell or in various Washington DC libraries. It'll take time to gather and review that material.

One interesting new thing that I've come across is How he may have influenced the vision of the 5 sided building that we now call the Pentagon. He knew a great deal about how forts and bases through history were constructed. This could be new and exciting... or just lost to history. I won't know until I run it down.

Why we ever let the Maj General fade into obscurity is beyond me.

I am happy to have received this newspaper article regarding John Curry (Nov. 13 1940). At this point Jack is taking over the Northwest District of the Army Air Service. He will consolidate this command from various sources and move it to Denver in mid '41. Then titled 2nd Air Force, it will divide again into 2nd Air Force (at Peterson AFB) and Technical and Training Command (At Lowry) during WW2. Basically Jack Curry is running the Western Continental Operations and Training Command. Over the next 4 years the Air Service/Army Air Corps will grow from 7,500 total people in 1938 to over 2.5 million by the end of WW2.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=L30SAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RfUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6487,2762841&dq=john-curry

Here's another Maj. Gen. John F. Curry article regarding his appointment, consolidation, and moving of the NW Air Service District to 2nd Air Force just before WW2. Jack Curry reviewing bivouacked troops!


http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nTYTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=V_UDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7060,4185769&dq=john-curry+air

I thank my anonymous yet highly regarded source with deep appreciation for the article above.

Regarding your January 03, 2009, 09:35:16 PM post "Rediscovering Maj. Gen. John F. Curry", the link to a photo of Curry & entourage, and your request for help in verifying whether the officer on the right is Frederick Irving Eglin;  I'd be thrilled if Eglin is the officer pictured in such esteemed company, but...
1) The officer appears just shorter than the 6'3" of Lindbergh standing next to him, while Eglin was something on the order of 5'7" (and had to sit on his parachute for a better view out of the cockpit);
2) The officer is wearing glasses, while Eglin's official photo taken sometime toward the end of his life show him without glasses at http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA421981&Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf 
3) The face in the official photo of Eglin is not a "striking" resemblence to the officer.
4) Eglin was athletically in built
5) Eglin was about 45 years old (1891 to Jan 1, 1937), which is comparable with the apparent age of the officer.

Let me know your findings, and thanks!

Pcamblin;
I was given his (Fred Eglins) name (as it was not attached to the photo itself) by Mrs. Curry-DeKalb. She certainly could have been mistaken and so I will try again when I see her in a few months. I thank you for the diligence. Partially, this is the reason that I have posted the various material. I want the best fact checking - I can afford.

With regards;
ED OBRIEN

THIS IS A SAVE THE DATE NOTIFICATION:
The 2nd Annual Maj. Gen. John F. Curry Awards and Salute Ceremony.

Date/Time: Saturday, Dec. 5th 2009 (9:30hrs)
Location: Ft. Logan National Cemetery
Invitees: Curry Cadets and Parents, Wing and Region Staff, and All Officers and Members.

On this date, in this place, and at this time we will celebrate CAP Day, the Biography of Maj. Gen. JF Curry, and introduce our future leaders (Curry Cadets) to the Wing's Command Staff and one of CAPs greatest leaders "Jack" Curry.

If you'd like to view a You Tube Video of last year's ceremony, click here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtLVB618U98

Location Directions: Ft. Logan is on the SouthWest Side of Denver. Follow Interstate 25 to exit, Hampden Avenue (Highway 285). Turn (west) heading toward the mountains to Sheridan Boulevard. Turn left (south) on Sheridan Boulevard. Cemetery is located two blocks south of Hampden Avenue on the left (east) side of Sheridan Boulevard. At the main West Entrance we will have officer or cadet with instructions to Pavilion A. Parking is limited. Please be on time. We don't want to leave people in the weather any longer than is necessary.

We'll meet at Pavilion A. Please arrive at least 20 minutes early for sign in, so we can begin on time. The Ceremony will last no more than 90 minutes. This ceremony will be conducted rain, snow, or shine. We will dress for the weather. More information in follow up emails.

We look forward to introducing our cadets to our Major-General. This is a save the date notice only. We will follow up with full details in one month.

Edward Phelka, CAP Col. Colorado Wing Commander
William Aceves, CAP LTC. Group One Commander.
Ed O'Brien, CAP Capt. Curry Award and Salute, Project Officer

We are Limited to 100 participants in total by the Cemetery Staff. SO please RSVP - ASAP. We will have follow-up emails every 30 days or so.

Any questions? Please contact project officer Capt. Ed O'Brien at 303-871-9005 or email at: ed@e-obrien.com

PS - Along with the Curry Salute -- On Armistice Day/Armed Forces Day and Wreaths Across America there soon will be numerous chances to participate in honoring American Heroes. Please take in at least one of these events.

HEADLINE: Jack Curry founder of the Air Force Thunderbirds!!!

Well not exactly... however, I was reading the Air University Biography of Gen Hansel and his early days at Maxwell.

The Air Corps was constantly looking for ways to promote itself
with the public because with public support came a better
chance for a larger slice of the shrinking military budget. Lt
Col John F. Curry, the commandant of the Air Corps Tactical
School, noted in 1933 that the Navy had a trio of acrobatic
pilots who could thrill the public with their aerial exploits, and
he felt that the Air Corps needed such a team of its own. The
Air Corps acrobatic team would represent Army aviation at
public functions, develop tactics, and demonstrate them for
students at ACTS. Captain Chennault, the Air Corps's most
vocal advocate of pursuit aviation, was naturally selected to
command the team.31
Chennault considered himself to be the best pilot in the Air
Corps. He was an outspoken advocate of military aviation in
general, pursuit aviation in particular, and himself above all.
According to Hansell, "Chennault figured there were only two
kinds of people—those who agreed with him and those who
didn't."32 Chennault selected his team as if he were audition-
ing for a drama production. As his biographer, Martha Byrd,
explained, "Chennault chose his partners by the simple expe-
dient of challenging any comer to stay on his wing
through half an hour of head-spinning aerobatics."33 He
selected the three men he concluded were good enough to
fly with him: Sgt William C. "Billy" McDonald, Sgt John H.
"Luke" Williamson, and Lt Haywood "Possum" Hansell.
(Both McDonald and Williamson had reserve commissions
but served on active duty as enlisted men in order to fly.)34
The team put in many hours of practice and put on per-
formances at Maxwell Field two or three times a week.

More Air University Press material. 1st Aero Squadrons - WW1. "US Air Service of the Great War."

Lt. Col. John Curry was shot down on Oct. 26th while dropping propaganda leaflets over the Germans. He was back in the air by Nov. 3rd when he bagged his balloon. Good thing he was so quick to return to action, as the War ended on Nov. 11th.

His intelligence, knowledge, and character are also praised as a staff officer to Gen. Lahm.

Regarding Curry in WW1.
Lt. Col. JF Curry and his pilot 1st LT. LL Smart were forced down in no-mans land on Oct 26th. These men were flying a DeHavilland DH-4. Here are some rather unsavory facts about that plane taken for Air Force.mil
The Great War
During WWI, the Air Service used the DH-4 primarily for day bombing, observation and artillery spotting. The first American-built DH-4 arrived in France in May 1918, and the 135th Aero Squadron flew the first DH-4 combat mission in early August. By war's end, 1,213 DH-4s had been delivered to France.

Unfortunately, the early DH-4s had drawbacks, including the fuel system. The pressurized gas tank had a tendency to explode and a rubber fuel line under the exhaust manifold caused some fires. This led to the title "The Flaming Coffin," even though only eight of the 33 DH-4s lost in combat by the United States burned as they fell. Furthermore, the location of the gas tank between the pilot and observer limited communication and could crush the pilot in an accident.

Perhaps the most notable mission flown in the DH-4 was the brave attempt by 1st Lt. Harold Goettler and 2nd Lt. Erwin Bleckley of the 50th Aero Squadron to find and assist the famed "Lost Battalion" on Oct. 6, 1918. During a resupply mission to this surrounded unit, their DH-4 was shot down. Both men were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Regarding the JF Curry/LL Smart force down in no-mans land during WW1. I talked to Shelia Curry DeKalb about this moment in the General's Biography. She stated, "all the Daddy ever said about this incident was that a forward position was manned by two North Carolina men with heavy southern accents.

Yelling at each other over various battlefield noise the men in the trench thought I was a German and shot at us. Lucky for me the bullets were errant.

We moved nearly half a mile north and east before we found truly friendly forces and were able to cross into our line unmolested. We were covered in mud and tough to identify as Americans."

According to the General and as related to Mrs. DeKalb.. this was the most serious incident to occur to JF Curry during WW1. He finished this story with the quip, "I've always been grateful that not every hillbilly can shoot straight."

Quote from: Smithsonia on September 24, 2009, 07:27:55 PM
He finished this story with the quip, "I've always been grateful that not every hillbilly can shoot straight."

I've heard that moonshine messes with your eyesight. To them, Gen Curry probably sounded like he had a foreign accent.  ;D Great story!

I am happy to report that I met with Sheila Curry DeKalb on Wednesday 10-14. As always she was lovely snd in good spirits. We talked for about an hour after which she donated her father's WW1 footlocker and WW2 Wings and set of stars to the Civil Air Patrol.

We'll get the chance to show these items around the Colorado Wing for a few months before they are shipped off to the Curator for archiving and placement in an appropriate exhibit. These items are in my possession now and I am grateful that the Curry Family has been both so generous and so interested in this project. All things are going well as good faith, goodwill, and good fortune work toward preservation of our Patrol history.

Way to go, Ed!  These things would be lost were it not for you.

Good Quotes of the Good General and many details both new and restated from the Early Aviators Website a
John F. Curry bio:
Major General John F. Curry

In late 1941, with the disastrous air attack on Pearl harbor, there was significant interest by civilian pilots to assist the U.S. Military. However in Washington, D.C., those in authority scoffed at the idea that a group of non-military aviators could provide any such assistance. Fortunately, sound logic prevailed and Civil Air Patrol was formed as a part of the nation's home defense needs.

Maj. Gen. John Francis Curry, an Army Air Corps officer, was selected as the first national commander. Curry learned to fly in time to accompany General "Blackjack" Pershing's expedition to Mexico. Later, he served as Chief of Staff of the Air Service of the Second Army in France. He destroyed a German observation balloon, but was shot down himself by anti-aircraft fire. He escaped capture. When selected to head CAP, he was the nation's only acting general in command of a civilian army. Serving from December 1941 to March 1942, Gen. Curry provided the vision and direction for this unique venture.

Founded as a volunteer organization, CAP conducted patrols over coastal waters in search of enemy submarines and naval activity. CAP was by no means a government-sponsored plan to provide free flight training. Each individual had to pay for their own flying time. Part of the reason for the founding of CAP was to keep aviation from being put aside entirely during the war. As Gen. Curry stated, "Without such a plan [as CAP], there might be no private aviation for the duration of the war; with such a plan, there is a chance that private flying might continue and develop." Under Curry's guidance, wings were formed in every state. He help mobilize 100,000 private pilots for non-combatant service; thus freeing military pilots for wartime duty. There was no discrimination because of one's gender. Individual ability, experience and past records were the real criteria for selection. Again, in Curry's words, "There must be no doubt in the minds of our gallant women fliers that they are needed and, in my opinion, indispensable to the full success of the CAP organization. A great part of the progress made in organizing civilian aviation under Civil Air Patrol has been due to the volunteer help given by women flyers...." Although he only served a few months as national Commander, Maj. Gen. Curry's organizational skills were influential in determining the future growth of this new resource. Originally, CAP was given the opportunity to prove itself for a 90-day test period. However, thanks to the vision of John F. Curry, and others like him, CAP remained throughout the war as an effective demonstration of volunteer spirit.

After the end of World War II, CAP continued to serve the nation in performance of dangerous missions. The Colorado Wing, Civil Air patrol, and Colorado State Director of Aeronautics, headed now by retired Maj. Gen. John F. Curry, conducted light plane surveys through the rugged Colorado Rockies. Where more than 50 peaks have an elevation of greater than 14,000 feet, scores of flying individuals lost their lives due to unpredictable winds. As a result of Curry's direction, maps of safe-flying routes were developed by Colorado CAP personnel.

From Leadership: 2000 And Beyond, Vol. I, Civil Air Patrol, Maxwell AFB, Alabama

Curry Quote from the aerial gunnery graduation at Lowry Field in 1943.

"My friend George Kenney shot down Herman Goering in World War One. Of course, although wounded Goering lived. To the graduates of this {aerial gunnery} course, I hope you shoot better than General Kenney."

Quote from: Smithsonia on November 17, 2009, 02:18:37 PM
Curry Quote from the aerial gunnery graduation at Lowry Field in 1943.

"My friend George Kenney shot down Herman Goering in World War One. Of course, although wounded Goering lived. To the graduates of this {aerial gunnery} course, I hope you shoot better than General Kenney."

That's is a great quote.

For those who don't know, George Kenney was MacArthur's Air Force Commander in the SWPOA and first Commander of SAC.

Cecil DP;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Kenney
General George Kenney is covered earlier in this thread. He and Curry were close enough to tease each other ruthlessly for 30 years... I have some letters to prove it. The letters are full of chided to scurrilous comments like, "Kenny is campaigning to take all the smartest staff officers and leave the dumbest for the rest of us. Capt. Cane is now assigned to George. And so, I am left with a staff who can't spell." 

For this audience it is probably important to know. George Kenney was the first commander of SAC, not Curtis LeMay. Kenney also commanded Air University. He also worked for Jack Curry at Maxwell as a Senior instructor of the Tactical Air Command.

Can you imagine the conversations, the debates, the arguments and ideas that these men fostered and endured? The arguments of the mid-30s that built the mighty Air Force of WW2. Robert Olds, George Kenney, Claire Chennault, Heywood Hansell, (just to name a few) all worked for Jack Curry at the same magic moment at Maxwell.

Among the officers that included Curry, Eakers, Hansell, Arnold, Spaatz, Olds, Ent, Chennault and others that are mentioned in this thread - Kenney was considered the man with the biggest brain.

There are precious few of the private letters of Jack Curry left. He purged his files at the end of his life. I am chasing down what I can from the correspondence of men mentioned above. What I do have indicates that Jack Curry's friends were close, abiding, and a sustenance his entire life. Jack Curry was a good friend. Jack Curry had good friends.

This is fascinating. Is there any chance someone could arrange for a posthumous award from the President or Congress for Major General Curry?

(One out of context bit on the USAFA Cemetary. There is only one Medal of Honor winner at the USAFA Cemetary- Master Sergeant William J. Crawford, USA. (And, no, he wasn't in the Army Air Corps) He earned the medal after being captured in WWII. After retiring, he wound up becoming employed at the USAFA. A number of staff members and cadets didn't know of his service until long after they had met him. He was captured at the time he was awarded the MoH, and was unable to have received his reward in person. In 1984, President Reagan presented him a MoH at the Academy Graduation.)

Orville;
The Story of Bill Crawford's life is fascinating. Here is his MoH citation.
http://www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/2695/crawford-william-j.php

Bill Crawford lived many years in anonymity as a simple janitor/handy man at the Air Force Academy. As I remember it was almost an accident that presented this humble man with the opportunity to come out of the shadows, be recognized finally as a hero, and live among the Air Force Cadets applauded for both his courage and humility.

Bill Crawford is from Pueblo Colorado which is now known as the City of Heroes (aka City of Medal of Honor Recipients) for the many native sons that have received the Medal of Honor. There is a large sign/plaque at the Pueblo Airport stating this proclamation. Which by the way, is an airport that was built up in WW2 as a Aux Air Corps base by none other that Jack Curry. Jack Curry also decommissioned (actually it was a multi-year transition) acting as District Technical And Training Commander in 1946 and quite interestingly received that Airport back into Civilian use on behalf of the City of Pueblo and State of Colorado when Jack Curry was head of the state's Dept of Aeronautics a few years later.

That said, I am not in a position to introduce a Presidential Proclamation or a Congressional one either.
Once the full research and documentation is pulled together (something that I intend to continue) I think there are greater honors due Jack Curry.

This year -- We are giving the family the Civil Air Patrol WW2 Service Medal... which we don't think that Gen. Curry himself ever received, at least it is not mentioned on his record. This item was suggested and put together by Colorado Group One Commander LTC. Bill Aceves. Besides that item, the family will also receive a most handsome Crystal Presentation Piece, designed and crafted by CapTalker and CAP Historian Maj. Jim Shaw. I'll report on this presentation along with the Maj. Gen. John F. Curry Annual Salute and Awards Ceremony after the Dec. 5th event. I am the project officer for this event. I plan on performing this event every year as long as I live. OR, as long as command allows me the privilege.

The Air Force Personnel Center  has just released the records of all airmen who served during and prior to WW II, to the National Archives. I hope this will provide a treasure trove to those interested in learning more of Hap Arnold, Bill Curry, etc. 

Cecil DP; Thanks and that's good to know. I don't think there is much left to find on Spaatz, Arnold, Eakers, or Kenney... but I'll betcha Jack Curry has some things which have gone fallow -- I'll do some tilling soon.

It will be a bitter and cold in Denver day for this year's Curry Salute and Awards Ceremony at Ft. Logan on Saturday Dec. 5th. Likely it'll be about 20 degrees and a bit of a breeze. We'll share the misery together at the good General's Grave. Likely, we'd all appreciate having the Six feet of constant temperature earth between us and the elements. Jack Curry will perhaps be warmer than the 5 Colonels, one General, and various Junior Grade Officers that will attend this years event with me.

We'll be hearing Taps, of course. But, it won't be the elongated and grief stricken version of a man taken before his time. The taps that's to be played at Jack Curry's grave this year will have an urgent purposeful surge and done slightly bright. For while we play it for a man no longer in our midst, our bugler is calling CAP members to Duty. Taps and Reveille combined - We've got work to do I think this should be a proper reminder. I trust that will warm Jack Curry and the rest of us too.

When asked about the Civil Air Patrol, Jack Curry once stated: "They find the lost and the dead, so neither are lost no more."
A bright taps and quotes like that will brace us this Saturday. I am looking forward to it.

Ed

When I got my Curry Award in 1967, I knew that he was our 1st National Commander, but that was about it.  Have you produced anything that would be helpful to these young cadets to understand the significance of this military aviation pioneer? Frankly, there was much made of Billy Mitchel, Amelia Earhart, and Tooey Spaatz, and rightly so.  But, I think I would have honored that purple ribbon with the "C" on it a bit more if I would have known all of his accomplishments.

Gunner C
It was never my purpose to raise Jack Curry to hero status. It happened by way of research. He lived a life, which once discovered, raised itself. When you read the words and deeds of JF Curry, well I suppose you can make up your own mind about Jack, can't you. I will continue on the search for him and his days until I find nothing new and then I will write a long piece - perhaps a book on General Jack.

When projects are purpose built - as in having a deadline on the treatise, report, or mini-biography - then you wind up building it to that purpose. You edit your research down and whittle on the facts to fit a certain pamphlet size, chapter of a book, or short biography.

Frankly, Jack Curry is larger than that. I've always felt that CAP deserves to know General Curry better. This research project has provided the knowledge. If I was now to write the piece you asked about - I'd stunt the research. Perhaps this frustrates readers but the Masterwork on the General isn't ready. I trust that the work yet to be done - the research that I know is out there to be discovered - will be worth the wait.

I've been asked by several people to write about General Curry is an edited form. I've resisted their urgings - until the research is complete. That said, I've laid out the research here, it is for CAP's purposes. Anyone is welcome to the project. Right now, the research notes  (that are this thread) are the best I've got. Thanks for the interest.

Here is the piece I did for the Curry presentation. Thanks Ed for all you have done to bring this great man out of the dark.

Jim;
Thank you for the wonderful gift of the Presentation Crystal for the Curry Family. Your craftsmanship has made this more than a commemoration - it has warmed the Curry Family to the center of their very dear hearts.

I'll have a full report on this years' Curry Salute and Awards Ceremony Sunday or Monday. Right now I am going through the pictures and notes.

TO our esteemed CAP Curator Maj. Jim Shaw. THANK YOU, SIR!

News Release on the Curry Salute (Capt Scott Orr CO/WG Assistant PAO)

The Colorado Wing Salutes Maj. Gen. John F. Curry and His Family - Sat. Dec 5th, 2009

This years Maj. Gen. John F. Curry Salute and Awards Ceremony at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver brought his family and the Civil Air Patrol back together.

CAP's first national commander is buried in Denver. His family is spread all over the world. However, the Colorado Wing got to meet one of his remaining Colorado relatives
Kim and Rick Callahan (Kim is the Maj. General's Grand Niece)

"The Wing historians have worked to unite the family and CAP once again," stated project officer, Capt. Ed O'Brien. "His last remaining first generation relative, his daughter Sheila Curry-DeKalb of Laguna Hills California wanted to come but is too old to travel. We were fortunate to host Kim and I must say, she is all Curry."

Capt. O'Brien continued, " This whole family is gregarious and most appealing. They love to laugh, appreciate the General as much as we do, and want to find out more about his service."

Gifts of appreciation were offered by both Wing Command Col. Ed Phelka and by former National Commander Gen. Jay Bobick.

Gen. Bobick presented what may likely be the last CAP WW2 Service Medal to the man who, "actually should've received the first of these ribbons. It is an oversight we are correcting today."

Capt. O'Brien speculated, "being that any member who served in WW2 has already proudly worn this award for years. So, this will likely be the last awarding of this most prestigious medal. Certainly the last for a former National Commander presented by a former National Commander. Today we made some history. "

Current National Commander Gen. Amy Courter sent an additional gift – a Presentation Crystal – Which Col. Phelka said is a "most handsome gift." He added for Kim's benefit, "I received my Curry Award in 1987. It was my first step in Civil Air Patrol. It is the ribbon I have worn the longest. Your family's name means a great deal to me."

Also attending were former Region and Wing Commander Col. Gary Tobey, Former Colorado Wing Commander Col. Jack Buschmann, former Wyoming Wing Commander Robert Cook, various senior and cadet members of the Wing. Taps was played by C/Lt. Sklyer Caldwell of TVCS. Capt. O'Brien was project officer and host, LTC. Sid Altum provided the prayer and Capt. George Dengler served as assistant to Capt. O'Brien. Lt. Beth Biscardi from Valkyrie and Kim Long provided the photos. Maj. Jim Shaw crafted the presentation crystal.

"It was the warmest of ceremonies on the coldest of December days," said Capt. O'Brien.

What seems less than obvious but still quite apparent is the lines of demarcation between the various brand names of the Air Corps and "Jack" Curry.

Hap Arnold: The mercurial nature of Arnold and the relentlessness of the man seemingly strained all of his relationships. Family, friends, subordinates, and comrades suffered and were eaten up during this General's life.

As far as Curry goes, and there isn't much on this topic yet... Curry and Arnold conspired together to keep Orville Wright at arms length in 1927.

1927 was a pivotal year. Hamilton Field became Wright Field (now Wright Patterson Air Force base) and while designed as the Research and Development hub of the Air Service (soon to become the Air Corps) Orville Wright was marginalized as a "man of yesteryear" whose time had passed. The man of this hour was Charles Lindbergh with who both men had a life long relationship. In 1927, then Major John F. Curry was told to "cut the Wright Lab by half and raise the Research into Aeronautics by a factor of 100 at other institutions of higher learning and the industrial manufacturers themselves. "We need every good mind put to our problems. Not every problem put to one lab", Arnold stated in 1929.

And so to this day Langley designs for the Navy and proofs on the job through Grumman. The Air Force brings Boeing, Northrop, Consolidated, North American, Wright Curtis, Martin, Bell, Douglas, Ford, General Motors R and D Departments, and a dozen other suppliers to every issue.

Curry worked for Arnold on the General's Staff '39-'40. Curry worked to protect Arnold from the Billy Mitchell sacking of '25. It seems that Curry wasn't the first choice as the CAPs first Commander. At Arnold's insistence Curry was chosen. At Arnold's persistence Curry accepted the job. It turned out to be a good move for all concerned, particularly for CAP.

I can't know at this moment precisely what the Arnold and Curry relationship was. My thinking is that Curry was trusted at the same level
as Spaatz. However, Arnold and Curry stayed at arms length for most of the War. Curry's Technical and Training Command modified the B-29 that would be used in delivering the Hiroshima and Nagasaki nukes... that was Arnold trusting Curry. Curry would help Eakers in the Med Theater after he was sacked out of the 8th Air Force. That service indicates a high degree of trust. Curry's Technical and Training Command would build 42 major training bases in the Western US and train 2 million men... that is a very high degree of trust. Curry would solve the water injection issue with C46s and C47s so they could fly the Hump, India/Burma to China.

It seems that Curry took the assignments, did the good work, but stayed away from the Washington/Pentagon fray as best he could. After the CAP Curry was asked to stay in Washington. He decided to come back to Denver. Washington was plum but tough cramped living for his family. Curry chose Denver. He also put/proposed Olds and then Ent as 2nd Air Force Commanders. In their careers both men owed Curry much. Between the Technical and Training Command at Lowry and 2nd Air Force in Colorado Springs - the West was ruled between these three men. I think Curry saw the end of the war as the end of his career. In this, he must've made that decision around his CAP tenure.

Arnold was complex. Curry was much less so. Neither man was inscrutable. Both men were needed. That said, Arnold and Curry in the crux of WW2 had a multifarious relationship. Translate as love/hate. It was the years of close service that bonded and fused these two. Think of it as two hard working war horses in the same harness with one leading (Arnold) and the other serving without complaint but with occasional displeasure. Arnold asked much of Curry. Curry wasn't always available to lash himself closer than was needed to accomplish the work.

Next is Claire Chennault and Curry.

Quote from: Smithsonia on December 10, 2009, 01:40:40 AM
It was the years of close service that bonded and fused these two. Think of it as two hard working war horses in the same harness with one leading (Arnold) and the other serving without complaint but with occasional displeasure.

Ed,
Thanks so much for such an inspiring, and interesting read on Gen. Curry.  I started in CAP as a cadet in 1982 with the Colorado Wing, so this has been very interesting stuff for me.

I couldn't help but note the irony (if indeed it is ironic), that both of CAP's first two cadet achievements are exactly those two together, side by side, Curry and Arnold.  8)  And, even if it is true they tried to marginalize Orville, that all three form the first level foundation, Curry, Arnold, Wright of the first three cadet achievements.

I'm very interested in the relationship of Curry/Arnold with Lindbergh.  He was very anti-war early on, and actively campaigned for the US to stay out of it.  Was that a personal problem in the early days, and how did that gel later on after Pearl Harbor?

Cheers,

LTC Don;
Lindbergh and Curry were life long friends. Regarding Lindbergh and the American First'ers anti war movement. Before the War this group was very vocal and quite popular. Don't forget our remoteness, being protected by 2 oceans allowed for American laziness in War preparation. MacArthur warned of the looming war. So did, Chennault who said that the Chinese "are engaged a war for all Pacific Nations."

On the other side were Joe Kennedy, Charles Lindbergh, and interestingly enough a very young and eventual US President, Gerald Ford. While Lindbergh was later hurt by his stance of 1937-41... he came to America's defense in all sorts of ways including solving troubles with the P-38, F4U, and B-24s... plus combat missions he personally participated in, including a couple of kills in the Pacific. IT was Lindbergh's utterances about Jews, African Americans, and some others that cost him controversy. Lindbergh was a quick man with an opinion and an attitude of self righteous that tripped him regularly.

According to my sources Lindbergh and Curry were long term friends. Curry was NOT given to excesses of the tongue. BUT, then Curry wasn't quoted with the scrutiny of Lindbergh either.

Regarding Orville Wright. Wilbur had died early. Wright defended his patents to the exclusion of much else and took his legacy so seriously that he offended many. That was the source of his enterprise from 1915-1927. Lindbergh was now (at least in '27). WW1 proved Wright was the past. Mr. Wright would become a government functionary and first Director of the CAA (now FAA) in this he accomplished much in transforming flying from a skill into an industry. That said, as of '27 his days of aviation innovation were behind him.
Here's a picture of all three: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:John_F_Curry.jpg (Jack Curry, O. Wright, C. Lindbergh)
This picture was taken just after Lindbergh returned from his solo-flight to Europe, while Curry was building Wright Field, by Wright's personal photographer, and around the time that Curry was delivering the news to Wright about the downsizing of his much promised lab at Wright Field. In his CAA service - Wright would also have use of the NACA Labs within a few years to draw his energies.

In this, I am not diminishing the Wright Brothers accomplishments - just pointing to the views of the military at that time.(1927)

I wonder what General Curry would think of CAP in this age?

Bill B;
Of course this is a question I can not really answer. That said, Jack Curry went through the dark days of WW1 and 2. The terrible days of Billy Mitchell's sacking, the dismal and bleak assignments of the middle east, Mexican Campaign, North Africa, Europe after WW2. The loss of many friends in war and accidents, and even suicide, and much much more. Jack Curry lived a life thick with places for complaint. I've not seen any letters in which his complaints were registered.

I'd suggest that he'd have much to say about CAP... some good, some bad, but he'd never settle for self pity. Jack Curry wouldn't complain, he'd just fix it, then move on to the next problem.

Claire Chennault and Jack Curry;

Then, Capt. Chennault was at Maxwell in the Air Corps Tactical Command as Senior Instructor working for Jack Curry. He and Capts. MacDonald and Vandenberg, along quite surprisingly George Kenney held down the Pursuit/Fighter side of the Bomber Mafia arguments. These debates continued from '32-36 in classrooms, during meetings, at the officers club, and in the private residences of all of these great Air Corps Officers.

Interestingly Claire Chennault was not only considered the best pilot in TAC but he was also working on 2 things that would prove useful in China. He would also do something that would betray his cause as a effective advocate for better training and fighter aircraft.

1) The Claire Chennault of '32-'36 was indefatigable and not just as an Air Corps instructor. When Jack Curry decided to train African American pilots at Tuskegee's Moton Field, Chennault worked out the syllabus. I know that this training was simplified and more along the lines of the Civilian Pilot Training Program that would come along in 4 years - but - It is obvious that this knowledge informed the training of the raw Chinese pilots in 1940/41. Chennault became THE Fighter genius of early WW2 era, with Flying Tigers by practicing at Tuskegee. Exactly what was taught and how, I do not know. However, Capt. Chennault learned what Gen. Chennault eventually taught the Flying Tigers at while training African American Pilots in '35-'36 at Moton/Tuskegee.

2) Additionally, the Flying Trapeze Aerial Demonstration Group of Capts Chennault, MacDonald, Williamson, and Hansell developed flying in close order using mostly hand signals to a refined elegance. Chennaults maneuvers, and coordinated aerobatics using mostly hand signal would serve the Flying Tigers ever so well.

3) What didn't serve Chennault so well was his writing style. He wrote prolifically - But these writings were considered shrill and unable to incorporate the thoughts of other Maxwell men. When Chennault met with new Chief of Staff George Marshall in '38 - Chennault was largely dismissed as a self serving loner. Chennault was called the Billy Mitchell of his day. Jack Curry thought differently, as he had a long history with Chennault. However, this according to Chennault biographer Martha Byrd was the end of the line for Chennault in the Air Corps preWar years.

Curry loved Chennaults energy and dedication but could not dissuade Marshall. At this point Jack Curry probably relented in trying to keep Chennault in the Air Corps and let him go off to China. However, they both kept in touch. At this point another man by the name of "Currie" comes into the story and the story gets a little confused. Lacklond Currie was a Harvard Professor and China PreWar Roosevelt administration functionary. Currie and Curry both worked to get Chennault planes, mechanics, instructor pilots, and help. However, I find that their names are routinely confused and I am lost as to which Currie/Curry did what. So more research is due here.

At this point, Jack Curry and Claire Chennault diverged in what they each thought was best for the Air Corps. Jack Curry had listened to the Bomber Mafia Debates for 5 years. Jack Curry seems to have come down more on the side of the 4-engine heavy bomber. If Chennault had carried the day, likely the early war years would have gone better. However, remember that neither Japan nor Germany developed a 4-engine heavy bomber in WW2. While there were fits and starts to strategic bombing, in the end strategic bombing won both wars. So is Chennault a victim of the bomber mafia? Is Chennault a prescient voice in the wilderness ignored to the determent of the US War effort in WW2? These of course are the myths and legends of the Air Corps. I think that the truth is more complicated. I think that these legends should be revisited. I think that this legend should be revised. I think that better understanding the Maxwell Bomber Mafia debates of '32-'36 - will rewrite Air Force History.

Here's a link to some of the Bomber Mafia Story: http://www.airpower.au.af.mil/airchronicles/apj/apj99/fal99/belote.html

 :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
Great stuff!

America First Committees have come up in this thread, as Charles Lindbergh was once a member.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America_First_Committee
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_did_the_US_initially_stay_neutral_in_World_War_2

This group had various American Voices attempting to keep the U.S. out of WW2. What isn't often discussed are the various political views inside the Committees and how, over time, views diverged and cost reputations.

1. Defeatists and Apologist: These people thought - America can not win a war against Germany. Lindbergh fits here. He went to Germany, saw their Air Force, thought it better than us, and predicted an American Defeat in head to head war. Of course Lindbergh was right in 1938... but we didn't enter the War until 1941 and the advancements of the Air Force over the 4 year battle were extraordinary. Tied into this group was a subgroup of anti-semites. Lindbergh was part of this subgroup too... although later in his life he apologized for this stance. Someone who was permanently tainted by this thought was JFK's father Joe Kennedy. Likely he held anti British feelings, although he was American Ambassador to Britain in the early War years. Joe Kennedy sided with a prevailing view that kept Ireland neutral for much of the war... yes, Ireland wanted to see Britain defeated - In this there was more an expression of anti-Imperialism against England than favor for Hitler. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_neutrality

2. "It's none of our business" - This group wanted to stay out of both WW1 and 2 because these people saw the looming war as mostly a settling of old scores between ancient adversaries extending through the Hundred Years War, Napoleonic Wars; right into WW1 and into 1940. Former Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart and former President Gerald Ford (when he was much younger of course) fit into this group. Even Mexico was late to the War. They had a lively internal debate that kept them from the Allies side for many years. In this, Mexico had a long standing relationship with Italy that seemingly kept them indifferent to the looming War.
http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/678-mexico-forgotten-world-war-ii-ally

3. "We need time to Prepare" - This group included many fine Army and Navy Officers. They saw the German build up and wanted to make preparations. This group included people like Adm King, George Marshall, and perhaps even Jack Curry. While not actual members of the America First Committee, these men wanted us not to rush to war... but prepare for an impending war. Even President Roosevelt likely fit into this category. America was officially neutral from '38-'41.

We now think of Germany in WW2 as an Evil that had to be stamped out by a righteous war. In 1935-1939 that idea was not obvious to everyone. I was reminded of this last night when I watched an amazing documentary on the Military Channel titled
"Nazi London." In it there was a sequence in which a German Ambassador to London had passed away, was given a military/state funeral in London, and many (read thousands) of the people who watched gave the Nazi salute as a sign of respect. Years later, during the Blitz, I imagine these folks cursed the reflexing of their own arms as the bombs fell.

Jack Curry participated in the writing of a prescient document that Adm. King and George Marshall often spoke of -- "All Hands" It stated that America was not ready for war, needed to rearm, but that in the end America would win partially because of the poor treatment of Jews in Germany and the exile that brought many Jewish Scientist to America (including Albert Einstein). In this, and considering that some of these scientists worked on the Manhattan Project, I'd suggest that Jack Curry was right and a bit of a fortune teller.

In this America First Pre-War Debate, I think Jack Curry shines even brighter - Particularly when compared to Lindbergh, Joe Kennedy, and when you think about it even Russian Leader Joe Stalin - Who made a non-aggression pact with Hitler before the Invasion of Poland.

History is the long memory of man. Many men have uttered things for which they were later rather sorry. That said, it is for we historians to provide the proper context of these utterances and not just the quotes. Lindbergh was occasionally and even often imprudent. But, the man did many good things too.

As I've said before, Tactical Air Command at Maxwell '32-'36 was the center of the American Air Power universe. Not so much for the arguments or the equipment but for the minds. Here is a rather full list of the Senior Instructors who went through TAC at that time. Col. John F. Curry was their Commander. When I get my "wayback machine" I'm going to Maxwell Field 1935 and get on the party circuit.

In all seriousness, I would argue that there has never been such a single command full of geniuses in all Air Force History. Perhaps there's never been such a command in all of military history. Jack Curry could pick talent. As Carl Spaatz once stated they're "Curry Boys." Read'em and weep.

Ira Eaker
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ira_C._Eaker
Robert Olds
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Olds
Haywood Hansell
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haywood_S._Hansell
George Kenney
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Kenney
Claire Chennault
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claire_Lee_Chennault
Hoyt Vandenberg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoyt_Vandenberg
Kenneth Walker
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Walker
Uzal Ent
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uzal_Girard_Ent
George Beverly
http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=4684
Laurence Kuter
http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/cc/kuter.html
Fred Eglin
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/fieglin.htm
Harold George
http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=5516
Donald Wilson
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Wilson_%28general%29
William C. MacDonald
http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/1999/June%201999/0699before.aspx
Charles Thomas
http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7372
Muir Fairchild
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muir_S._Fairchild
John H "Luke" Williamson
http://books.google.com/books?id=voeOKZ8FdI0C&pg=PA7&lpg=PA7&dq=Army+Air+Corps+John+H+%22Luke%22+Williamson&source=bl&ots=egdMrRGQeO&sig=6-WesaEHKnDEy6HkTpr6YvukW-w&hl=en&ei=I08sS46HDMi0tgfKj5j_CA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CAwQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=Army%20Air%20Corps%20John%20H%20%22Luke%22%

Among this list is a Medal of Honor awardee, men who died before their time, brains that propelled Air Power beyond the Japanese, Germans, and Russians, Combat Commanders, Senators, Many Generals, Air Force Base Namesakes, the best and brightest... and great men all.

Read about these and more here: aupress.maxwell.af.mil/Books/Benton/Benton.pdf

I hope you are writing a book.  This is awesome.

Here is the press release and pictures from this years Maj. Gen. John F. Curry Salute and Awards Ceremony.
http://www.capvolunteernow.com/todays_features.cfm/colo_wing_salutes_curry_1st_cap_national_commander?show=news&newsID=6541

Pictures by Kim Long and 1st Lt. Beth Biscardi. New Release from Capt. Scott Orr.

Some of the vital Curry material (his WW1 diary among others) has been sent to the Air Force Museum at Wright Patterson in Dayton, OH.

If there is an historian in the Dayton area that could spend part of a day at the AF Museum. I could use some help. The Air Force has restrained their personnel assigned to research and so a personal appearance is required to get professional attention. I can't get there for 18 months or so. PM me please. I could use a hand.

Lt. O'Brien,

I wanted to send you my sincere regards for the excellent ceremony you put on at Fort Logan Cemetery in Denver. I had a great time and I would love to go down next year (hopefully with Eglets from the TVCS, Great Start program!!!). While I'm at it, I would like to send you my thanks for the Rocky Mountain Airways Flight 217 reunion, this was a great opportunity for me to see exactly what every one of us in CAP can achieve with motivation, skill, knowledge and pure luck. Thank You again 


C/MSgt Dietz

Mr. Dietz; (and an open message to all cadets)
There is only one true reason for history to be recorded. That is to transcend one's own generation - so the information is passed generation to generation, into the future. Trans-generational information is one of the things that makes culture possible; any culture, all cultures... CAP's culture included.

In this way, I already have a time machine, you see. In this manner, Historians travel from the present, back to the past, then send messages forward and into the future. You are that Time Machine, Mr. Dietz. You and your fellow cadets are that fabulous, perfectly crafted, and much appreciated time machine. Take these messages with you, Mr. Dietz. It is a pleasure to serve with you and Thompson Valley Cadets -- any time, any where, in the past and the future too.

Thank you and TVCS Squadron members for your help on the Flight 217 and the Curry Projects. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to construct and ride for awhile in our "Time Machine."

In a cleanup of the old Wing Headquarters a piece of Curry was found. His summer flight cap (light khaki with gold ban). It has 2 gold miniature stars. It was given to the Wing in the 70s just after the general died. It appears to have been worn but not much as the sweat band is pristine.

I'd been told that this cap was around. For years it had been a phantom. My supposition was, I was looking for a
Service cap. I've got hundreds of photos of Jack Curry. None of these photos show him in a flight (garrison) cap. I assumed that the service cap must be in an appropriate sized, more or less cube shaped box. I'd seen the closed gray-flat-box, something that looked like it held socks or gloves, but actually contained the flight cap. I'd looked at this box many times but never opened it because it obviously couldn't contain a service cap.

Today I feel like a combination idiot and exonerated death row prisoner. I have relief and head smacking shame transposed one over the other. My thanks to MSGT. Cynthia Smith for pointing out the right box, then piucking it up, opening it, and sticking it under my nose - before I realized that I was not looking for a service Cap. TRUE STORY.

All of the items in the Curry Collection will be online soon. Image Digitization is done. Posting is next.

Gold stars?  That's kinda odd.  Haven't general's insignia always been silver or was this possibly some sort of oxidation on silver?

Gold will plate over silver, but silver oxidation is black.

Gunner;
They are actually brass but not brassy, so more low intensity (browner) golden - but not Navy (polished) gold. I've got a couple of sets of his collar and epaulet stars from his summer uniform. This uniform was called Suntan. It's all going to be online soon, so you'll see. In the meantime you can see a similar cap here: http://www.hayesotoupalik.com/images/DSCF1705.jpg

SO, I was asking the same question as you were. Being that it was a light summer uniform piece, I am figuring the brass looked better against the suntan (yellowish not so green type khaki) BUT, I don't have that answer just yet.

Suntans were the "hot" summer uniform of the late war. Less British Khaki and Army Green B17 ETO - these uniforms said "South Pacific and B-29s" Pair it up with dark bluegreen aviator sunglasses and you are a rakish Air Corps devil of a flyboy.

Apparently "the suntan" was "Jack's" favorite uniform for he was buried in it and I imagine that the Service Cap (Suntan) that I was mistakenly looking for was buried with him too. So we must be satisfied with his Flightcap.

Gunner;
OK, I made a mistake. Today, I took a clean rag to the stars on Jack Curry's suntan flightcap. I didn't polish it mind you, as that detracts from the value... however it is standard silver, tarnished through reaction from the tissue, box, or some other reaction to a gold-ish brown over the gray.

I've never seen silver tarnish this way... but it is now standard gray unpolished oxidized silver. I rubbed off enough of the oxidation to actually see the "s" for sterling or silver. It is small enough of an object to not contain the full word silver or sterling.

Pretty exciting find.  I can't wait to see the collection.

Quote from: Gunner C on January 24, 2010, 11:38:50 PM
Gold stars?  That's kinda odd.  Haven't general's insignia always been silver or was this possibly some sort of oxidation on silver?

The only military person  who was authorized gold stars was General of the Armies John J. (Black Jack) Pershing. He wore them to differentiate the insignia from those of a General. His appointment was a quarter of a century before the appointments of Arnold, Marshall, MacArthur, and Eisenhuer, to the Grade of General of the Army. who were given 5 stars. But Pershing was senior to all of them despite wearing 4  stars rather than 5.

Quote from: Cecil DP on January 26, 2010, 05:23:42 AM

Quote from: Gunner C on January 24, 2010, 11:38:50 PM
Gold stars?  That's kinda odd.  Haven't general's insignia always been silver or was this possibly some sort of oxidation on silver?

The only military person  who was authorized gold stars was General of the Armies John J. (Black Jack) Pershing. He wore them to differentiate the insignia from those of a General. His appointment was a quarter of a century before the appointments of Arnold, Marshall, MacArthur, and Eisenhuer, to the Grade of General of the Army. who were given 5 stars. But Pershing was senior to all of them despite wearing 4  stars rather than 5.

There have only been two generals of the armies: Washington (postumous) and Pershing.  There is no stated insignia for that grade - it is chosen "by the incumbent."  Since he was retained on the active list for the rest of his life, he was the ranking officer of the US military and was visited by departing Generals such as Patton before they deployed.

But as Ed pointed out above, Gen Curry's stars were actually silver, just tarnished. 

Ed The photo of the flight cap you have in your post is a female flight cap. I doubt Gen Curry wore one  LOL

Quote from: BillB on January 26, 2010, 03:52:37 PM
Ed The photo of the flight cap you have in your post is a female flight cap. I doubt Gen Curry wore one  LOL

I took it to mean that the pic was of a uniform color shade similar to the one he found.  It is not a pic of the actual cap.

Wing Commander Col. Ed Phelka will bring a couple Curry general officer stars and Curry's command Wings to the Winter Board meeting.

If I were you, I wouldn't try to challenge the Colonel. He'll trump your coin with real Curry Militaria and drink for free all week.

ANOTHER CURRY BOY (more or less) is tied into CAP history. I am researching the first major CAP rescue in 1942. According to the Neprud Book Flying Minutemen it was in Dec. It was actually Nov. 17 (16th-22nd) 1942, near Taos New Mexico. Below you can read about the Commanding General of Shilling AFB where the crashed plane was assigned. I'll have more on this crash in a different thread. Ken Wolfe worked for Jack Curry at Maxwell/Air Tac Command, 4th Dist. Tech and Training Command, and they attended Gen. Staff College in Leavenworth, KS at the same time. Jack Curry and he must've talked about their bomber crash. Jack Curry and Ken Wolfe must've discussed the capabilities of CAP. These coincidences pop up all the time.

KEN WOLFE IS a Curry Boy (although one by proxy) (he's also a Colorado Boy although not raised here)  look at his resume below and figure that he worked for Jack 3 times or maybe 4 and was also working for him at the time of this crash... Too many coincidences.

Courtesy of the United States Air Force
LIEUTENANT GENERAL KENNETH B. WOLFE
Retired, Died October 1, 1971

Kenneth Bonner Wolfe was born in Denver, Colorado, in 1896. He attended high school in Portland, Ore., and San Diego, California, and in January 1918 enlisted as a private first class in the Aviation Section of the Signal Reserve Corps.

He received ground and flying training at Berkeley, California, and Park Field, Tennessee, and in July 1918 was commissioned a temporary second lieutenant in the Air Service. He served for a brief period at Park Field as a flying instructor and then moved to Souther Field, Georgia., in the same capacity. In January 1919 he returned to Park Field and in March of that year went to Carlstrom Field, Florida. In July 1919 he was made officer in charge of flying at Souther Field, Georgia, and the following January was appointed chief engineer officer at the Air Intermediate Depot at Americus, Georgia. On July 1, 1920 he received his Regular Army commission as a second lieutenant in the Air Service, and was promoted to first lieutenant that same day.

He began a tour as flying instructor at Brooks Field, Texas, in November 1922, and during this time assumed charge of aero repair at that station in addition to his other duties. In May 1926 he moved to Clark Field, Philippine Islands, as plans and operations officer.

Returning to the United States in August 1928, he became engineering officer and parachute officer at Langley Field, Virginia. In May 1926 he moved to Clark Field, Philippine Islands, as plans and operations officer.

Returning to the United States in August 1928, he became engineering officer and parachute officer at Langley Field, Virginia. In July 1930 he entered the Air Corps Engineering School at Wright Field, Ohio, and after graduation in June 1931 remained for duty in the Inspection Branch, of which he later became chief. He was detailed to the Air Corps Tactical School at Maxwell Field, Alabama, in August 1935, and graduated in June 1936. A year later he graduated from the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and was assigned as Air Corps representative at the Douglas Aircraft company in El Segundo, California.

In March 1939 he was named assistant chief of the Production Engineering Section at Wright Field and the following February became chief of that section. As chief of the B-29 Special Project Staff he had charge of the initial flight and service testing of the B-29 Superfortress for the Army Air Force. He later was appointed chief of the Production Division of the Materiel Center at Wright Field.

In June 1943 he became commanding general of the 58th Bombardment wing at Salina, Kan. Later, under General Wolf's leadership, the 20th Bomber Command was organized, trained and moved to India for its initial strikes against Japan from bases in western China. On June 15, 1944, he directed the first B-29 strike against Japan, which was staged from secret bases in western China.

The following month he returned to the United States to take over the Materiel Command at Wright Field. In September 1944, when the Materiel Command and Air Service Command were consolidated into the Air Technical Service Command, he became chief of engineering and procurement. He left Wright Field in April 1945 for a temporary assignment at Army Air Force headquarters in Washington.

He joined the Fifth Air Force on Okinawa in August 1945, as chief of staff and became commanding general two months later. After assuming command of the Fifth, he directed its transition from a mighty assault force to the occupational air arm of Japan and southern Korea, operating from headquarters at Nagoya, Japan.

In January 1948 he returned to the United States and was appointed director of procurement and industrial mobilization planning at Air Materiel Command headquarters at Wright Field, Ohio. He was appointed deputy chief of staff for materiel at U.S. Air Force headquarters in September 1949.

Rated a command pilot, combat observer and aircraft observer, General Wolfe has more than 7,000 hours flying time. He has been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster and the Order of the British Empire.

General Wolfe was buried with full military honors in Section 34 of Arlington National Cemetery.

So.... Maybe CAP initial conception might have been thunked up over a beer at the O-club?  :clap:

alacrm;
Maxwell Field Officer's Club from '32-'36 must've been the center of the universe. Let us review the subjects discussed and decisions made.
1. Design the B-17 specs
2. Design the B-24 spec
3. Design the P-40 specs.
4. Design the C-47 specs
5. Design the syllabus for training African Americans and eventually the Tuskegee Airmen, the CAP and Civilian Pilot training program
6. Design the first Air Corps aerobatic team... today known as the Thunderbirds
7. Design the specs for airborne canons, rockets, and heavy machine guns
8. Design the Combat box
9. Design deep penetration bombing strikes
10. Distribute R and D funds to 22 major Air Corps design teams (Boeing, North American, Fairchild, Republic, Consolidated, etc)
11. Design the specs for incendiary bombs
12. Design the specs for the Norton Bomb sight
13. Design the specs for Pursuit training, Bomber training, Fighter training.
14. Designed the specs for the first American O2 systems for combat aircraft
15. Designed the specs for radio communications equipment and procedures for combat
16. Designed the spec for the AT6 Texan
17. Ordered another round of beers and promised kick Bosch' butt.


Well Wright Patterson and Langley participated in some of this work too... but the only Major/Colonel/General who commanded at all 3 installations and on the General's staff also, over a 11 year period... would be Jack Curry. (Actually, George Kinney did too... but he was working for Jack most of the time.)

However, I think that CAP was being discussed by Fiorella LaGuardia and Gil Robb Wilson in NY and NJ. Mostly because the Curry Boys at Maxwell were a little busy.

I am linking up threads between CAP and the Air Corps during the early War. Jackie Cochran was a CAP Lt. Col. for Public Affairs in early '42. Gen. Robert Olds is one of the Curry boys at Maxwell Field, Senior instructor, and since 1921 when Olds worked for Curry in Hawaii - a compatriot of Jack. Today after posting the first CAP Staff to another thread (see Hysterical History- Carl Spaatz - The only CAP General?) I found this Wikipedia entry:

{{{Also in 1940, Cochran wrote a letter to Lt. Col. Robert Olds, who was helping to organize the Air Corps Ferrying Command for the Air Corps at the time. (Ferrying Command was originally a courier/aircraft delivery service, but evolved into the air transport branch of the United States Army Air Forces as the Air Transport Command). In the letter, Cochran suggested that women pilots be employed to fly non-combat missions for the new command. In early 1941, Colonel Olds asked Cochran to find out how many women pilots there were in the United States, what their flying times were, their skills, their interest in flying for the country, and personal information about them. She used records from the Civil Aeronautics Administration to gather the data.}}}

My purpose in this series of links is to determine the early use, purposes, missions, discussions, considerations, and how the Army Air Corps fashioned and formed CAP. In this case I do not think Jack Curry was specifically involved only to show that this was a small universe of people/friends/co-workers who talked together and made things happen. I'll have a good deal more on this in the coming weeks.

Quote from: Smithsonia on February 18, 2010, 08:01:18 PM
I am linking up threads between CAP and the Air Corps during the early War. Jackie Cochran was a CAP Lt. Col. for Public Affairs in early '42. Gen. Robert Olds is one of the Curry boys at Maxwell Field, Senior instructor, and since 1921 when Olds worked for Curry in Hawaii - a compatriot of Jack. Today after posting the first CAP Staff to another thread (see Hysterical History- Carl Spaatz - The only CAP General?) I found this Wikipedia entry:

{{{Also in 1940, Cochran wrote a letter to Lt. Col. Robert Olds, who was helping to organize the Air Corps Ferrying Command for the Air Corps at the time. (Ferrying Command was originally a courier/aircraft delivery service, but evolved into the air transport branch of the United States Army Air Forces as the Air Transport Command). In the letter, Cochran suggested that women pilots be employed to fly non-combat missions for the new command. In early 1941, Colonel Olds asked Cochran to find out how many women pilots there were in the United States, what their flying times were, their skills, their interest in flying for the country, and personal information about them. She used records from the Civil Aeronautics Administration to gather the data.}}}

My purpose in this series of links is to determine the early use, purposes, missions, discussions, considerations, and how the Army Air Corps fashioned and formed CAP. In this case I do not think Jack Curry was specifically involved only to show that this was a small universe of people/friends/co-workers who talked together and made things happen. I'll have a good deal more on this in the coming weeks.

Robert Olds, father of Robin Olds?

^^^^^^^
David;
Robert Olds is the father of multiple ace Gen. Robin Olds... who by the way is buried at the Air Force Academy. Great family. God bless'em all.

By the way -- Robert Olds was cremated and his ashes were spread over the Catalina Mountains north of Tucson AZ. I guess he fell in love with the place when he was at Davis Monthan... me too. Although I've not yet been cremated, I just feel like it some days.

Quote from: Smithsonia on February 19, 2010, 07:25:23 PM
^^^^^^^
David;
Robert Olds is the father of multiple ace Gen. Robin Olds... who by the way is buried at the Air Force Academy. Great family. God bless'em all.

By the way -- Robert Olds was cremated and his ashes were spread over the Catalina Mountains north of Tucson AZ. I guess he fell in love with the place when he was at Davis Monthan... me too. Although I've not yet been cremated, I just feel like it some days.

So we indirectly have a connection to one of the best jet jockies of Vietnam? That's cool.

Today I found out three interesting things.
1. WASPs and WAC ops were Headquartered at Bolling Field during WW2. In the same office building (or at least area - Sec. Area 3 bldg 1221, offices 133-145, 222-245) that is where Jack Curry set up the CAP in '41. http://www.radiodiaries.org/wasps.html  http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/wac/wac.htm

I am guessing now that Bolling was the HQ for all of the Aux/Air Corps Services. But more research needs to be done on that. Some WACs were nurses and translators. So this one headquarters couldn't account for all operations, at least I don't think so. The organizational dates beginning in early '41 also parallel CAPs organizational dates, just a week or two difference as they proceed towards their own Auxiliary Component. WACs were mostly trained in Davenport IA and personnel was in a Washington DC Office... but ops was Bolling.

2. WASPs and WACs were treated to special USO type shows sponsored by the Civil Air Patrol. I don't have any information if the same was done for males in the service. There were 50-60 of these shows in the US.

3. These shows were set up out of Lowry Field Denver which was John Curry's Western Technical and Training Command HQ too.

These places, names, and duties - can't be just coincidental. More soon.

To those of you who have followed this thread for 18 months this will be of little surprise. To those of you who have not seen the research it will seem heresy. So let me lay out the facts.

1. Fiorella LaGuardia is the key. Gill Robb Wilson less so. Beginning in Mar and Apr '41 America saw the War looming. Like minded Air Corps officers began rallying to the cause of Civil Defense and preparation for this War. Colonels were raised to Generals in the blink of an eye and the stroke of a pen. Chaney, Curry, Fickel, Olds, Eisenhower, and Yount were given one then 2 stars pronto. In the space of weeks or 2 months at most.
The Spring/early summer of '41 saw all of these men jump 2 grades nearly instantly.

2. Instant Colonels to Major Generals Yount, Fickel, Chaney, and Curry went to work immediately. They seized the various components in their districts, reorganized those components under central commands, and started building America into a fortress.

3. Olds organized the Ferry Command, Emmons continental defense. Chaney, Curry, Fickel, and Yount the training commands. At that time there was about 10,000 people in the Army Air Corps. (in this I mean 10,000 pilots, navigators, mechanics, secretaries, janitors, - that was the whole darn works) The plan was to build it to 1 million in 2 years. 2 million in 3 years. The facilities and schools had to be ready. The pace was furious. Gen. Delos Emmons was in charge of the volunteer Air Corps Defense Program at Bolling Field Washington DC. WAC/WAFs/WASPs/CAP/Civilian Medical Corps/Air Corps Continental Defense, etc. was all co-located at Bolling Field beginning Jan 1 '42.

4. Curry had the NW District and brought it from Spokane to Denver in June '41. Denver was more defensible I suppose than Spokane - also more centralized.

5. LaGuardia visited Curry in Denver in July '41.

6. As a prelude to war LaGuardia and Curry were to organize 150,000 members inside the CAP for defense. Yount, Fickel, and Chaney had similar requirements among their Volunteer commands. A total of 500,000 volunteers for everything from Air Raid Wardens, Fire Brigades, AirCraft Spotters, Gunnery Captains, Medical Relief, Police Liaison and Auxilary. The readiness policy called for a 1 year start up and a 2 year goal. Pearl Harbor shortened the time frame to six months.

7. Curry sent queries to all state governors for asking Army Air Corps Defense Wing Commanders in Aug. '41. (CAP was going to be part of this command) The reply date was Oct. 1st '41. The CAP was to be announced in Nov. '41, later changed to Dec. 1st. He sent this query in August '41 from his headquarters in Denver, CO>

8. LaGuardia along with Gen's. Fickel, Yount and Chaney did the same with 150,000 more volunteers in Civilian Air Defense. In a briefing in early Nov. '41 the plans were ready. Hap Arnold was briefed by Gen. Emmons. Curry, Yount, Chaney, Olds, and Fickel were present and it is believed participated in the briefing.

9. There was an organizational meeting at Bolling that was a prelude to this briefing. Curry was at Bolling for about a week in early Nov. '41. At this point the CAP was set to go, Wing Commanders had been proposed, duties were assigned, the start date for Wing activation was Feb 1st '42. Wing Commanders announced on Dec 27th, Curry was to be announced as National Commander on Dec.1st. His staff announced a week later. At this point (Early Nov. '41) for all practical purposes Curry was heading up CAP. He went home to Denver for Thanksgiving and began transition from 2nd Air Force Commander to CAP Commander. He returned to Washington on or about Nov. 27th to be there for the Dec. 1st announcement. When Pearl Harbor happened on Dec. 7th he was back in Denver. Gen. Robert Olds was announced a the new 2nd Air Force Commander on Jan. 3rd '42.

That is the timeline for the Air Corps activities and Civilian Defense Corps leading up to WW2. In this timeline
you will not find Gil Robb Wilson mentioned (hence the heresy). As of this moment we can't figure why. However it seems that once the Army took over... GRW became a minor or northeastern region/New Jersey Wing figure. Although GRW was announced on the first National Staff as COS... in the planning stage of Mar '41-Jan. 42 his name doesn't appear, except in passing. The research on this matter is fairly complete but more needs to be found and I am working on this matter.

I'd like to thank Lt. Col. Mark Hess of the Georgia Wing for linking up some of this research. His help regarding this project is invaluable.

VERY GOOD, Ed!

When you write the book  :clap:, make sure you do mini-bios of some of the lesser known names. There were a couple you mentioned I've never heard of before.

This is great stuff, and probably the largest advancement in CAP origination research done in the last couple decades.

^^^^^^^^^^^
alamrcn:

I should have done this earlier. Regarding my post above. Here's reference on most of the characters.
These figures are worthy of study, because basically in CAP - Curry is our Daddy! and These guys are our Uncles:
Gen. Delos Emmons:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delos_Carleton_Emmons
After the Attack on Pearl Harbor Gen. Emmons was rushed to Hawaii to take over Air Corps Operations and Command on Dec. 16/17th so the Civil Defense command structure back in the States was fluid from this point on. Basically, Gen Robert Olds assumed 2nd Air Force Command, from Jack Curry just after Christmas and lead the Western Division from headquarters at Peterson Field in Colorado Springs. Many of Emmons duties at Bolling were then split between Curry and Olds for the next 5 to 6 months.

Gen. Jacob Fickel:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Earl_Fickel

Gen. B.K. Yount:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barton_Kyle_Yount
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/bkyount.htm

Gen. James Chaney:
http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=4973

There's actually some juicy backstage gossip on some of these
guys. But, I'd like to confirm some it, before I write it up.

In a side note the daughter of Delos Emmons and Sheila Curry DeKalb
coincidentally wound up in the same retirement home in California.
They recognized each other and became fast friends. Their father's were
good friends too.

I just got a big laugh. There was a History Channel documentary on the Red Light District of Hotel Street in Honolulu after Pearl Harbor. Apparently after Marshall Law was declared in Hawaii and the war was underway, the very popular Hotel Street establishments got even more popular. With millions of visits during the war.

Gen. Delos Emmons (see postings above) became the defacto man in charge of the Brothels of Hotel Street. This made him exceedingly uncomfortable. He turned it over to his Provost Chief and told him to handle it, and "don't bother me ever again with this business." So Army Major Frank Steers - fixed prices, saw to health issues, policed the place, sorted out the sordid, and made the rules. War is heck and makes strange bedfellows.

Given that the previous postings on this thread have talked of the "America First" Antiwar Campaign of Pre-WW2 US, the staging of American business and volunteers for war in the spring of '41, then the active preparations for War beginning in the Summer of '41, and the summer and fall activities that eventually made the Civil Defense Authority and CAP. We now come to the consequence of these actions and the historical context.

In the Spring of '41 - Being that France, the low countries, and literally all of Continental Europe was under Nazi domination. The fact that the Blitz and Battle of Britain had gone unimpeded for 14 months - what changed in America to once and for all push us inexorably towards war, 8 months before Pearl Harbor?

1. The Lend Lease Act: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lend-Lease

2. Because of heighten belligerence in the Pacific and China  -- America began an even more invigorated debate about Japan. By July 18th the US froze Japanese Assets in the States. By early Oct. '41 the US embargoed Indonesian Oil to Japan. We know the planning for Pearl Harbor began at that time. 

Regarding the Lend Lease Act - I can not say if it was a result or a cause. However, I can state that once passed by Congress and signed by President Roosevelt in March '41... there was an obvious and immediate rapid order of events to secure the United States. I cannot say that America was expecting war at that moment. Only that America was preparing for War.

In March and April of '41 we reluctantly decided among the citizenry and government, which side we were on. Whom we were backing. And so, we expected to eventually be pulled into the war. It was but a matter of time. The time was 8 months. What an 8 months that must have been.

To this day, Japanese citizens, scholars, and text books will on occasion defend the Pearl Harbor attack by relating these events. Germany has long since given up such notions and has offered no such defense in years. But, revisionist historians will attack American Policies today in this same way. So be it.

When I think about those days I obviously believe that Jack Curry and his brothers in Arms were at the center of History. I also think that America fought for not just itself but Russia, Europe, and China. Eventually, because this war freed the citizens of Japan, Italy, Austria, and Germany from tyrants - we fought for them too. Remember the context the next time someone gives you a "why we hate America lecture." Add, Denmark, Luxembourg, France, Lithuania, Estonia, Romania, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Libya, Greece, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Poland, Latvia, Finland, Norway, Morocco, Panama, Kosovo, Tunisia, New Guinea, Burma, Algeria, and many more then you can state... History is not on the revisionist's side. It is on our side.

That said we have occupied the Confederate States of America for 145 years and don't plan on giving it back.

Lt. Col. Mark Hess, Maj. Jim Shaw and to a lesser extent myself have been working on a large virtual exhibit of Curry Material. It will include articles, newspaper stories, pictures, family photos, militaria, and other items. A partial list is below. This site should be done with in a few weeks. It will be the largest concentration of Historical Curry material anywhere. Coming soon.

PUBLICATION:                                                     TITLE:                                                                           DATE:                             PAGE/S:                LOCATION:                     AUTHOR:                   

Chicago Daily Tribune (IL)                                        Shakeup Sends New Chiefs to Four Air Units                   20 July 1941                     8                           Bolling Field, DC               N/A
Chicago Daily Tribune (IL)                                        90,000 Civilian Pilots to be Put in War Harness                4 Jan 1942                       13                          La Guardia Field, NY         N/A

Ellensburg Daily Record (WA)                                  Continue Effort to Secure Base for Ellensburg                  30 Nov 1940                     1                            Spokane, WA                   N/A
Ellensburg Daily Record (WA)                                  Second Air Force Chief Relieved                                     19 July 1941                     3                           Bolling Field, DC               N/A                           

Los Angeles Times (CA)                                          Army Shifts Air Commands                                            20 July 1941                     5                           Bolling Field, DC               N/A                                         

Reading Eagle (PA)                                                 6 Army General Officers Shifted in Shakeup                     21 July 1941                     4                          Bolling Field, DC               N/A

San Jose Evening News (TX)                                    Civilian Air Patrol in Organization                                     6 Jan 1942                       22                         La Guardia Field, NY         N/A

Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 Air Headquarters will be in Charge of General Curry           12 Nov 1940                      1                          Spokane, WA                   N/A
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 Air Commander to Visit Today                                         15 Nov 1940                      3                          Spokane, WA                   N/A
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 New Air Chief Ends Brief Stay                                         16 Nov 1940                      3                           Pendleton Field, OR         N/A
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 General Curry Arrives in City                                            30 Nov 1940                     1/3                        Spokane, WA                   N/A
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 Major General Curry & Family Arrive Here...                      30 Nov 1940                     1                           Spokane, WA                   N/A
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 Northwest Air District Chief is in Spokane                         30 Nov 1940                     1                           Spokane, WA                   N/A
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 General Wash Sent to Spokane                                       3 Dec 1940                      1                           Spokane, WA                   N/A
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 Air Corps Commander Inspects Plans for Sunset Port        4 Dec 1940                      10                         Spokane, WA                   N/A
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 Reading is Favorite Pastime of Curry's                              4 Dec 1940                      10                         Spokane, WA                   N/A
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 Chamber Elects Nine Trustees                                        10 Dec 1940                     1                           Spokane, WA                   N/A
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 Army Engineers will Boss Work                                      10 Dec 1940                     3                           Sunset Field, WA             N/A
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 Air Corps Units to Arrive Soon at Fort Wright                    12 Dec 1940                     3                           Sunset Field, WA             N/A
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 Air Base Likely to Remain                                               13 Dec 1940                    1/5                         Sunset Field, WA             N/A
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 Three Master Minds Direct Air Force at Sunset Field         25 Dec 1940                     6                           Sunset Field, WA             N/A
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 Repairs Planned at Fort Wright                                        28 Dec 1940                     3                           Fort George Wright, WA   N/A
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 Newly Finished Ships will be Based at Felts Field             31 Dec 1940                     3                           Felts Field, WA                N/A

Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 Permanent Air Base Now Sure                                        13 Jan 1941                      1                           Sunset Field, WA             N/A
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 Air Corps Officer Arrives from East                                   17 Feb 1941                     5                           Spokane, WA                   N/A
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 General Curry Goes East this Week-End                         19 Mar 1941                     3                           Bolling Field, DC               N/A 
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 New Army Post will Bear Name of Famed Flier                 19 Mar 1941                     3                           Sunset Field, WA             N/A
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 Sunset's Safety Zone Ratio Set                                       22 Mar 1941                     3                           Sunset Field, WA             N/A
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 Wives of Army Officers Discuss Newly Formed Club         27 Mar 1941                     B2                         Spokane, WA                   N/A       
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 General Wash Bid to Army Day Rites                              4 Apr 1941                       3                           Sunset Field, WA              N/A
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 Think General Curry may have News on Return                 4 Apr 1941                       3                           Bolling Field, DC               N/A
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 California Weather Delays Air Chief                                  5 Apr 1941                       3                           Hamilton Field, CA            N/A
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 Public to View Army Air Bases                                        5 Apr 1941                       3                           Sunset Field, WA              N/A
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 Chief of Air Force to Address Chamber                             24 Apr 1941                     3                           Spokane, WA                   N/A
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 Major General Curry & Party Leave in Big Transport           24 Apr 1941                     3                           Felts Field, WA                N/A
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 General Visits Camp                                                       10 May 1941                    5                           Ephrata, WA                    N/A
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 Major General Curry & Fort Wright Officers Inspect...         19 July 1941                     3                          Felts Field, WA                N/A
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 Harmon Arrival Date Uncertain                                          21 July 1941                    3                          Spokane, WA                   N/A 
Spokane Daily Chronicle (WA)                                 He Will Be Remembered                                                  21 July 1941                    4                          Spokane, WA                   N/A   

The Bend Bulletin (OR)                                            Officers in Air Force Shifted                                              19 July 1941                   1                           Bolling Field, DC               N/A

The Deseret News (UT)                                           Army Press Section to be Organized                                 15 Feb 1941                   1                            Hill Field, UT                     N/A 
The Deseret News (UT)                                           Removal of Pilots Requested                                             6 May 1941                    1                            Hill Field, UT                     N/A 
The Deseret News (UT)                                           Airmen Start 24-Hour Day                                                 9 July 1941                     2                            Spokane, WA                   N/A               

The Evening Independent (FL)                                  Air Forces Get New Commanders                                     19 July 1941                   1                            Bolling Field, DC               N/A
The Evening Independent (FL)                                  New Commander Reviews Kessler Man                             20 May 1944                   3                           Kessler Field, MS             N/A

The Florence Times (AL)                                         Nation-Wide Civil Air Patrol Being Organized                      2 Jan 1942                      2                           Bolling Field, DC               N/A     

The Hartford Courant (CT)                                        Air Patrol Appointments                                                   4 Jan 1942                       2                           Bolling Field, DC               Arthur C. Wimer
The Hartford Courant (CT)                                        Air Patrol May Supply Ferry Pilots                                    4 Jan 1942                      13                          Bolling Field, DC               N/A

The Miami Daily News (FL)                                      Top Drawer Talent                                                           3 Apr 1949                       2B                         Arnheim, Germany            Mary Marley

The Pittsburgh Press (PA)                                       Pilots in State will Play Role in New Patrols                      6 Jan 1942                       9                           La Guardia Field, NY         N/A

The Schenectady Gazette (NY)                               Civilian Pilots May Guard U.S.                                          10 Jan 1942                     11                         Bolling Field, DC               N/A

The Spokane Spokesman-Review (WA)                    Spokane Headquarters of Second Air Force                      31 Jan 1943                      8                           Fort George Wright, WA   N/A

The New York Times                                               New Post for Gen. Curry                                                 14 Nov 1940                      14                         Spokane, WA                   N/A
The New York Times                                               Harmon Goes to Spokane                                               20 June 1941                    21                         Lowry Field, CO                N/A
The New York Times                                               Oust La Guardia, Kennedy Insists                                    3 Jan 1942                       10                         La Guardia Field, NY         N/A
The New York Times                                               Curry Asks Volunteers                                                    4 Jan 1942                       12                         New York City, NY            N/A       
The New York Times                                               Plans for Air Patrol are Discussed Here                            5 Jan 1942                        8                          La Guardia Field, NY         N/A
The New York Times                                               Women Fliers Face Much Ground Work                           5 Jan 1942                        14                        La Guardia Field, NY         N/A
The New York Times                                               Heads Civilian Air Patrol (Earle Johnson)                          28 Mar 1942                      5                          Bolling Field, DC               N/A

The Washington Post (DC)                                      Army Orders                                                                  27 May 1914                     4                           West Point, NY                N/A                                             
The Washington Post (DC)                                      Army Orders:  Medical Reserve Corps                              2 July 1915                       4                           Fort Slocum, NY               N/A
The Washington Post (DC)                                      New U.S. Aero Wrecked                                                 14 June 1916                     4                          Columbus, Mexico             N/A

I can't take credit for this. Captain O'Brien and Lt Col Mark Hess have been the driving force behind this. I have just been a supporter of the work. They have done a great job.

Quote from: caphistorian on March 08, 2010, 12:27:39 PM
I can't take credit for this. Captain O'Brien and Lt Col Mark Hess have been the driving force behind this. I have just been a supporter of the work. They have done a great job.

Thank you and good job to all involved in this project! 

I both hope and trust that the Curry Project will be an inspiration to all those who treasure CAP History and our legacy. I know that Jack Curry has inspired me in the most fatherly of ways. Even though we never met, to see him up close and personal has been a great intellectual pleasure. To realize that while his life was much more history filled than mine will be... that he was a leader of integrity, knowledge, determination, polish, and savvy, and I would follow Jack Curry anywhere, even into a deeper appreciation of the Air Force and Patrol. I have, in my way, attempted to share this noble man's life and describe the artifacts I have discovered.

For 20 months I have filed regular reports on this Curry thread. Soon you will be able to see the basic research. Read the first hand accounts. Witness for yourself the material, pictures, militaria, reports, newspaper archives, uniforms, ephemera, and letters of Jack Curry. 95% of this collection will be available online. I'd make it 100% but some things don't scan well and other things are to be kept until the passing of Sheila Curry DeKalb.

Now, if you have similar material that is relevant to CAP history. Material that is locked in your closet, languishing in your basement, stuck in a box, or hidden from view... get ready to digitize it, scan it, photograph it, and get it online too.

If you have research materials... get ready to display it for all of us to revel in. Too long our instinct of preservation has turned us into to small time hoarders. Let us get ready to hoard no more.

I think you'll be happy to see the vast online exhibits. I think you'll be impressed with the work of Lt. Col. Mark Hess and Maj. Jim Shaw. I think you'll spend hours roaming around in a place that was built for you... our fellow CAP members. I think Cadets will enjoy it. I think Senior members will love it. And I think AEOs and Historians will cry at the wealth of material that's ready made for you to watch on your computer.

The work is done on this site. Security apparatus must be installed, checked, and locked down. Beta testing is ongoing right now. I think it will be ready in about 2 weeks, maybe 3. I'll let you know.

This History site will not be competitive with CAPtalk as it is a display site mostly. The history site is not designed for the same stimulating interaction of Captalk. It is for large exhibitions of Heritage, Legacy, and Historical properties. It is more contemplative but I hope not boring. Compared to Captalk the site should be more Library or History Museum and less City Hall.

History buffs get ready. Hoarders get your stuff out of the closet too. I trust this will be a new era in CAP history for all to see. I thank you for your interest. I thank Mark Hess and Jim Shaw especially. These are dedicated volunteers that deserve all of the praise. We've worked all night for months to make this happen. In fact neither Mark in Georgia nor I in Denver slept last night, not a wink, so for now off to sleep I go.

Once again, facinating!

Are you at a point to put together a two page article about the Curry Project for Volunteer? I think the jist of the "onion layers" you've been describing would intrigue many readers.

And a cadet or two might be able to give a more elaborate answer to the token encampment question... "Who is General John F Curry?"

alamrcn;
Cap News Now had a piece in Dec. Click here: http://www.capvolunteernow.com/todays_features.cfm/colo_wing_salutes_curry_1st_cap_national_commander?show=news&newsID=6541

My plans for Curry pieces are pretty straight forward. I will continue this thread. I will post all my research material
both here and at the History Site described above. I will continue with the research. I will urge others to contribute to the research. At this point the research is so extensive that I think this site is the best place to publish that research. Here are 25,000 words on the Good General Jack. If a cadet cannot glean a story here there's nothing a Volunteer story will add. All of this material is for the benefit of our members and for the taking.

I am trying to move us away from our hoarding tendencies and more towards history as sleuthing, discovery, and revelation. Folks have asked me about a book. My answer is maybe when the research is done. They've asked me about a screenplay... only if Gary Sinese is available. I've been asked about mongraphes and articles too. My problem with all of those urges is that it cuts short the research. It ends the quest. I have more Jack to uncover and until I do and in this thread is the best there is...

Always riveting, always a revelation.  Unfortunately, Gary has already volunteered to play me in "The Green Berets 2". . . (sorry, couldn't keep a straight face on that one)  ;D

Quote from: Smithsonia on March 08, 2010, 06:47:10 PM
alamrcn;
Cap News Now had a piece in Dec. Click here: http://www.capvolunteernow.com/todays_features.cfm/colo_wing_salutes_curry_1st_cap_national_commander?show=news&newsID=6541

My plans for Curry pieces are pretty straight forward. I will continue this thread. I will post all my research material
both here and at the History Site described above. I will continue with the research. I will urge others to contribute to the research. At this point the research is so extensive that I think this site is the best place to publish that research. Here are 25,000 words on the Good General Jack. If a cadet cannot glean a story here there's nothing a Volunteer story will add. All of this material is for the benefit of our members and for the taking.

I am trying to move us away from our hoarding tendencies and more towards history as sleuthing, discovery, and revelation. Folks have asked me about a book. My answer is maybe when the research is done. They've asked me about a screenplay... only if Gary Sinese is available. I've been asked about mongraphes and articles too. My problem with all of those urges is that it cuts short the research. It ends the quest. I have more Jack to uncover and until I do and in this thread is the best there is...

As someone who has produced several documentaries for local public tv stations back in my TV days, I can attest that the sleuthing for historical information is the most enjoyable part of the process.  The next interview, the next dusty box, the next forgotten film canister could be the "mother load" on your subject.

Thanks again for all the digging and making it so freely available on one of our most important figures.

Linear historical recollections are fine. At a certain point one must account for a couple of things
to work deeply on a biography:
1. Modern Sensibility - Does the character have a modern message for a contemporary audience?
2. The historical figure - Must be historically significant.
3. The historical significance must have a long time horizon and over time the biography codifies then builds this significance.

Jack Curry has fulfilled all of these premises at least for me and hopefully for you too. The trick now comes down to the research. A biographer has a different job than a journalist. The journalist is on a deadline. The journalist must tell the best story available within the deadline requirement. That is the reason that so much correction of initial reports falls to the follow-on reporters. In the case of Jack Curry... I am taking my time so that I get it all in front of me, I know all of the information before I attempt to summarize this life.

I've spent my career in the hot and smoking pursuit of quick deadline driven stories. For my own intellectual satisfaction, I'll take my time getting all the Jack Curry information there is left in this world before I do his monograph, biography, movie, stage play, or tell his story. He was a man in full. Wait until you see it all. But then, I can't wait either... although to be true to this intellectual exercise we simply must. 

Quote from: Smithsonia on March 09, 2010, 04:05:12 PM
Linear historical recollections are fine. At a certain point one must account for a couple of things
to work deeply on a biography:
1. Modern Sensibility - Does the character have a modern message for a contemporary audience?
2. The historical figure - Must be historically significant.
3. The historical significance must have a long time horizon and over time the biography codifies then builds this significance.

Jack Curry has fulfilled all of these premises at least for me and hopefully for you too. The trick now comes down to the research. A biographer has a different job than a journalist. The journalist is on a deadline. The journalist must tell the best story available within the deadline requirement. That is the reason that so much correction of initial reports falls to the follow-on reporters. In the case of Jack Curry... I am taking my time so that I get it all in front of me, I know all of the information before I attempt to summarize this life.

Smithsonia:

Well said.  One of the reasons I joined CAP was the organization spoke to me in a similar fashion as you note about Gen. Curry.  Missions and uniforms may change but hopefully the underlying ethics of service, country, integrity, and when called upon, bravery, still power CAP, just as it did when pilots flew their single engine planes far out into the ocean looking for U-boats.

I have a copy of a Curry Document that was posted on an earlier CAPTALK thread regarding history. I am sorry to say that I have lost that members who previously posted this Curry Memo. I thank them for doing so and regret the lack of credit to them in this posting.

OFFICE OF CIVILIAN DEFENSE
CIVIL AIR PATROL

OPERATIONS DIRECTIVE)                                                                                   NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
                  NO. 4       )                                                                                   WASHINGTON, MARCH 4, 1942
AIR DISCIPLINE

1. We are at war.  The Civil Air Regulations have been modified to meet the requirements of the Army and Navy in providing for the National Defense.  It is imperative that all pilots observe these regulations to the letter.

2. There are certain areas over which no flying is permitted.  These areas have anti-aircraft defenses which are under orders to shoot down any aircraft passing over them.  Civil Air Patrol pilots are hereby directed to familiarize themselves with areas and routes over which their particular flights are to be made and conduct their flying accordingly.  It is important that all pilots navigate accurately and adhere rigidly to their flight plans.

3.  This is no time for foolish flying.  The fact that the Civil Air Patrol insignia is displayed on a plane or that the plane is engaged in an official mission does not give the pilot permission to break the Civil Air Regulations or do unnecessary aerobatics.  On surveillance and search missions, for example, the operations orders governing the missions are not a permit for hedge-hopping.

4. Certain missions, including pick-up message training, will require low flying.  Such flying should be cleared with Civil Aeronautics Administration inspectors and airport managers.

5. Failure of Civil Air Patrol flight personnel to comply with regulations will not be tolerated.  Unit Commanders are hereby directed to take prompt disciplinary action against such personnel under their command who break regulations or engage in careless flying.

6. Without thorough air discipline, the Civil Air Patrol is of no value as a flying auxiliary to the armed forces.  Develop air discipline.

                      By Command of Major General CURRY:


HARRY H. BLEE
Colonel, Air Corps
Training & Operations Officer

-----------------
Edit:  Document is not on pre-printed letterhead, heading is manuall typed.  In the upper right hand corner, written in pencil are the numbers "25.302".  In the lower right hand corner are the numbers "26022".

Regarding my earlier post on the new CAP History website... we are awaiting final approval. Maj. Jim Shaw. Col. Leonard Blasovich and higher command are in charge of that matter. As such it appears that a few more weeks of review are in order.

Right now there are several thousand historical items, pictures, articles, uniforms, patches, militaria, ephemera, reviews, timelines, achievements, and stories ready to go. As you might imagine this higher command review will take some time.

Additionally we have several thousand more items to add to this website which should be ready shortly after the site is approved. I understand that there has been a recent issue with CAP material being ripped off by disreputable commercial manufacturers who produce fakes for sale on EBAY. We have an intellectual property problem that had not been accounted for previously on the site. So it will take us some time to sort this out. We need a watermark, download protocol,
or containment protocol... and this is new, but completely understandable to address this intellectual property protection issue.

Lt. Col. Mark Hess of the Georgia Wing has been lashed to his computer - spent 8 or 9 months without sunshine and gone through more history research than any one person in CAP history to make this collection available to all members.

Hopefully, we are on the last leg. To all those that have work so diligently on this project - may I say that it is and has been a great privilege to serve with you on this project. I am gratified as a historian. I am amazed as a member. I am overwhelmed as a viewer. I am tired as a contributor. I am proud, no... I am very proud as a volunteer. This will be one of the finest websites dedicated to military and volunteer history on the World Wide Web.

Announcement of its opening some time in April... is our hope.

Thanks for the update, Ed!  :clap:

Picking up the theme of the egalitarian-side of Gen. Jack Curry, I found this quote:
"There must be no doubt in the minds of our gallant women fliers that they are needed and, in my opinion, indispensable to the full success of the Civil Air Patrol organization. A great part of the progress made in organizing civilian aviation under Civil Air Patrol has been due to the volunteer help given by women flyers."

Remember that Jackie Cochran was a big part of CAP from the beginning. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacqueline_Cochran

Remember that the WASPs and Wacs were given special status towards the end of the war (continuation of service credits for education) if they became CAP members, so that tens of thousands of them joined CAP, AND that cadets were welcomed after the first year and minorities from the beginning... Jack Curry was as egalitarian officer as his generation produced.

At a time in which High Schools and Colleges were segregated by race and other schools by gender. At a time of rampant racism and belligerent bigotry... The Civil Air Patrol from the moment of its inception was among the broadest minded organization, one of the most enlightened in the volunteer or military services in America, and this is a thing to emulate and be proud of today.

^Ed:
Thanks for the continuing insights into Gen. Curry.  He was a remarkable man for his time, and your posting is just more proof of not just his leadership skills but his humanity as well.  It gave me chills (good ones, not bad ones) reading it!

Todd;
I think Jack Curry was fully human and not divine. In this I mean his imperfections were self made and not a matter of nurture or nature. He seems to have thought through matters and worked out his own way, while doing his duty and remaining rather unscathed. I submit the following synopsis:

1. Jack Curry didn't like Billy Mitchell (too loud and abrasive for Jack) Yet Jack Curry appreciated the contributions of the man and is one of only 4 officers to speak on Mitchell's behalf at the Courts Martial. After Mitchell was sacked Jack worked to implement the vision of Mitchell through service and not confrontation.

2. Jack Curry - Obviously saw Orville Wright's loss of vigor and vision and prompted the Air Corps to promote Charles Lindbergh as the icon of American Airmanship. (circa 1927)

3. (circa 1938) Jack recognized the self destructive hole inside the 3rd Reich - That the real strength of America was promotion of it's egalitarianism and that the racial divisions inside Germany and Axis Allies would eventually cause their defeat in battle. For his part Jack Curry started the upgrade of Moton Field and built the first pilot program at Tuskegee Institute.

4. Circa 1934 - Jack believed that war was coming. (The Japanese had invaded China at this point) Jack believed America wasn't ready for this war. That the Air Corps needed visionaries to prepare for war. Assembled those men at Maxwell: Olds, Chennault, Eakers, Hansell, Ent, Eglin, Kenney, Vandenberg, Wilson, MacDonald, etc, all did 2 or more tours at Maxwell under Curry. The assembling of this brain trust was a key to America's eventual success in WW2. This brain trust designed the performance components of aircraft required for war. Among these requirements came the B-24, B-17, P-38, P-40, B-25, B-26, C-17, P-47, and Curtis Commando (This time was also used to construct the building that is now CAPs headquarters.)

If Jack Curry never did a thing about Civil Air Patrol... he'd still have been worth noting. If Jack Curry had done but one of those items listed above - he'd be worth remembering. Jack Curry was a servant to the Air Corps and Air Force but he was also the father of CAP and possessor
of a great intellect. However the attributes that keep attracting me to this noble man is his character. Bright, enthusiastic, self effacing, never boastful, firm but never mean, straight arrow but never a martinet, graceful but not showy, giver and receiver of great respect, a loving father and great husband... Jack Curry was a Helluva Guy.

Perhaps my favorite Jack Curry Story has been told to me by Colorado Wing members who were cadets when the retired General was still around. Jack would come up to them after parade or memorial, he'd introduce himself as simply Jack Curry (without ever revealing he was Maj. Gen. John F. Curry), he'd ask the cadet about themselves, he'd never talk about himself or his career, then he'd say "keep up the good work." Jack would do this without a correction, offering sage advice, or giving fatherly supervision to the cadet. AND most interesting to me, without ever further identifying himself. Afterwards, Jack would shake the cadets hand and say with a grateful and appreciative smile; "Thanks for your service" and then Jack would simply walk away. Jack Curry was a real man. Jack Curry is as fine of an example of a man as I have ever found. 

If I can sum up Jack in one word... the closest word is "TRUSTWORTHY." (In all matters, at all times, to everyone) I try to live up to the example of Jack Curry. I think we can all learn his lessons. I offer his biography not just as history in review but instruction today.

ED
Not to belittle Jack Curry, but how come he never got his third star when his students got three or four stars by the end of the war?  Just curious.

BillB;
You asked about Jack having 2 stars instead of three, four, or even Five. Jack wasn't a WW2 Combat Commander. The reasons are multiple and varied.
1. He had his combat in WW1.
2. He knew how to build airbases and train people.
3. He was a little older than Eakers, Doolittle, Kenney, Hansel, Patton, Eisenhower, or Bradley - and younger than Spaatz, MacArthur, and Arnold - but old enough to see the advantage of younger men commited to field command... and finally -
4. Jack was gassed in WW1. While it didn't effect him until he was older, it must have weighed on him and been of some concern. When he retired he declared a disability. So he must have made the argument to the retirement board on some basis.
5. Finally, long before the war Jack had promised his wife and daughters that once the girls were in high school he'd retire. Instead WW2 blew up and he compromised this promise to serve 42 years in the military, remain true to his family commitment, and do his duty to his country. His daughters certainly understood but appreciated that they weren't uprooted during the war.

As such, Jack Curry went from Colonel to Major General in 14 months and didn't move again until retirement in '46. As his command grew in the number of men being trained, his command was divided once and then once again as span of control. that said, he built 25 major air bases, 135 AC and Aux fields, 5 WW2 major commands, oversaw the CAP, and 1.2 million airmen through training. I think Jack got his way in this matter. He was also offered Gen. Arnold's Chief of Staff job in '43 (Jack would've made his 4th star in that job)... but Jack turned Hap down. I think that the war had taken Arnold's vigor and Jack wanted a younger man in the COS duty too. Spaatz was committed to Europe. So one of Jack protege's wound up with the Air Corps COS job under Arnold. Besides Jack's family didn't like Washington but thoroughly enjoyed Denver.

Was Jack Curry smart about his health? Well, both men who succeeded him as 2nd Air Force Commander in WW2 (Olds and Ent) had major heart attacks while in the 2nd Air Force job and died shortly later. Jack loved and trained both of these men... I'll bet you that their deaths were a thing of concern if not guilt. Generals Ent and Olds were younger than Jack and both had WW2 combat experience. (so they were at least 3 stars when they died)

Quote from: BillB on April 27, 2010, 07:43:26 PM
ED
Not to belittle Jack Curry, but how come he never got his third star when his students got three or four stars by the end of the war?  Just curious.

It was well known policy of GA Marshall's that with very few exceptions (Patton, Ike), he wasn't appointing anyone over 50 years old to combat commands.

CecilDP;
Spaatz, MacArthur and a couple more were over 50 too. Jack would've have been about 54 or 55 at the start of the war. If Jack had been 5 years younger I still think he'd have stayed in the states for the reasons listed above. But that's just conjecture on my part and nothing more.

If you are coming to the Colorado Wing Conference in May - I'll be doing the Curry Lecture with lots of his gear on hand, including:
Stars and Wings, Flight Cap, Belt, WW1 Footlocker, pictures and stories. Most of this material has been donated to the National Archives and
won't be around long -- so come join me in Colorado Springs on Saturday May 22nd at the Embassy Suites 7290 COMMERCE CENTER DR.(09:30) for "You Don't Know Jack." Maj. Gen. John F. Curry.

As I said I was curious.  I was wondering if General Curry's support of Billy Mitchell might have been a factor of not getting LtGen. Not being in a combat command in WW II was not a factor in general grade promotions. Material Command line was a four star position by the end of the war.
I hate the building that is now the CAP National Headquarters. When I was stationed at Maxwell, I had four wisdom teeth pulled in that building,. The Dental wing of the building is not the office of the Commander CAP-USAF.

BillB;
Did being a Billy Mitchell supporter hold back Curry's advancement? No. Robert Olds, Carl Spaatz, Hap Arnold, Delos Emmons, Ira Eakers, George Kenney, and a couple more were all Mitchell devotees (professionally if not personally) All these men eventually made General. All of these men advanced more or less with their class. However, all the men who sacked Mitchell were gone by '32. Arnold, Eakers, Spaatz, Curry, Emmons, Olds, and a few more - formed a self-protecting corps that built the Air Corps. Billy Mitchell wasn't their God... however, his vision was their Bible. We can argue the personal virtues of Gen. Mitchell all day. However, Billy wasn't the character portrayed by Gary Cooper in the Movie. Mitchell was 10 times more complicated. So I think that not only was Jack not hurt but highly regarded for his measured support of Gen. Mitchell. The remaining visionaries took the Mitchell Bible through the depression into the next war. When Jack spoke up for Mitchell, he couldn't have known about the future. He couldn't have known that it would all work out. He wanted to save Arnold and Spaatz the need of falling on their swords... So, Curry's courage was not so much in defending Mitchell than in protecting Arnold, Eakers, Olds, and Spaatz... All of whom were on Mitchell's staff at the end.

Who was the Judge Pro Tem at the Courts Martial of Billy Mitchell?... Douglas MacArthur. So he apparently didn't get hurt much either.

Quote from: Smithsonia on April 28, 2010, 01:05:40 PM
BillB;
Did being a Billy Mitchell supporter hold back Curry's advancement? No. Robert Olds, Carl Spaatz, Hap Arnold, Delos Emmons, Ira Eakers, George Kenney, and a couple more were all Mitchell devotees (professionally if not personally) All these men eventually made General. All of these men advanced more or less with their class. However, all the men who sacked Mitchell were gone by '32. Arnold, Eakers, Spaatz, Curry, Emmons, Olds, and a few more - formed a self-protecting corps that built the Air Corps. Billy Mitchell wasn't their God... however, his vision was their Bible. We can argue the personal virtues of Gen. Mitchell all day. However, Billy wasn't the character portrayed by Gary Cooper in the Movie. Mitchell was 10 times more complicated. So I think that not only was Jack not hurt but highly regarded for his measured support of Gen. Mitchell. The remaining visionaries took the Mitchell Bible through the depression into the next war. When Jack spoke up for Mitchell, he couldn't have known about the future. He couldn't have known that it would all work out. He wanted to save Arnold and Spaatz the need of falling on their swords... So, Curry's courage was not so much in defending Mitchell than in protecting Arnold, Eakers, Olds, and Spaatz... All of whom were on Mitchell's staff at the end.

Who was the Judge Pro Tem at the Courts Martial of Billy Mitchell?... Douglas MacArthur. So he apparently didn't get hurt much either.

I find a comparison between Curry and MacArthur interesting.  Seems that Curry was not the glory hound that MacArthur was. 

^^^^
Todd;
The Bombastic and theatrical Commander is time honored from Alexander, Julius Caesar, Peter the Great, Napoleon, Custer, Patton, MacArthur, Hitler, Halsey, LeMay, to Stormin Norman. The confidence they exude can be infectious and make the glory of their troops seem a personal victory.

These roosters are often appealing, charismatic characters. I am not by nature attracted to this charade. I think Eisenhower, Curry, Bradley, Mitcher, Puller, Ridgeway, Powell etc... who lead with courage but less bravado are more interesting. There is an authenticity about these humbler men. There is an American citizen soldier raised to lead that makes them accessible to me.

I prefer some modesty and sharing of the glory in my historical characters. But that is just me. Both types have been effective. Both archetypes have made history. We tend to remember the Ivory Handled Pistols of Patton and corn cob pipe of MacArthur (both of which are affectations and publicity manifestations but have been doned for purpose.) So I think of these as phony as a reality TV show argument. It is visual drama by design. To me it is as shallow as most of our uniform arguments in this forum. In other words, the actual value of the visual hyperbole is an argument without end.

That said, these bombastic publicity hounds do serve a larger purpose: To be a symbol of command and a rally flag of persona. These men are narrative characters who explain the battle from the top down. Not the bottom up. So I favor reporters, like Ernie Pyle, who take this into account.

^^I think charisma in a leader is a good thing.  We want to follow people who fire us up.  But when they cross the line into megalomania, then they, their troops, us, and the world can have some major problems.

I'd say in the lists of show horses and plow horses you cite above, history has ultimately been kindest to the plow horses.   Raging Democrat that I am, I would follow Eisenhower or Powell in an instant because of their cool demeanors, good sense, intelligence, fairness, and ability to plan.

^^^^
Todd;
Well I think that you are looking for the quotes; "Pride goes before the fall. The higher they fly, the farther they fall AND The bigger they are the harder they fall." It works for people in the military, political, entertainment, religious, business, media, and craft fields too. Humans that get caught up in their press are often made to regret their conceit.

But then again we are all human and need to account for that in our conduct. Excuse me, President Nixon and Robert MacNamara are calling from the after life to explain themselves yet again... I gotta go.

Quote from: Smithsonia on April 28, 2010, 02:15:36 AM
CecilDP;
Spaatz, MacArthur and a couple more were over 50 too. Jack would've have been about 54 or 55 at the start of the war. If Jack had been 5 years younger I still think he'd have stayed in the states for the reasons listed above. But that's just conjecture on my part and nothing more.

Spaatz was just a year younger than Eisenhower and just 50 when the war started and he reported to the ETO. Of Course MacA was over 60 and actually recalled from the retired list just before the war. But with the animosity MacA exhibited to Marshall throughout his career, maybe it was best he stay 10,000 miles away from D.C. Besides which FDR wanted him to stay in command in the SWPOA due to his "brilliant" campaign in the opening days of the war.

CecilDP;
MacArthur had been on active duty in the American Army for 35 (or so) years before retiring in 1937. As late as July '41 MacArthur was a military training consultant and Field Marshall in the Philippine Army. Coincidentally, July '41 was about the same time that John Curry was sorting out 2nd Air Force in Denver - July 41 Douglas MacArthur again became a Lt. General in the American Army and South Pacific Field Commander. Interestingly, out of respect to Philippine government (as Field Marshall outranks Lt. Gen.) and as a show of his own independence - MacArthur donned another iconic element of his wardrobe... A Philippine General Officer's Service Cap which he wore throughout the war. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_MacArthur

Who was MacArthur's SWPA Air Ops Commander? John Curry protege, friend, and former staff chief - Gen. George Kenney. Who was Kenney's Air Commander in China? Claire Chennault - another Curry Boy. Of course the CBI was eventually under combined command with the British and Lord Louie Mountbatten. But the MacArthur arrangement with the President of the Phillipines - was the obvious template arrangement for Chennault and Chaing Kai Shek.

I am still trying to find Curry's fingerprints on these matters. For instance - Curry's Chief of Maintenance Harry Potts and (Curry's 2nd AF Ferry Command-Ops Deputy Chief) Robert Scott (God is My Co-Pilot) both wind up with the Flying Tigers. Curry's personal aid winds up as Kenney's aid within a year. A State Dept. civilian, named Currie but no relation to Jack, sent Chennault his P-40s through the lend lease act and Currie was another Curry boy, etc. etc. (this is but a partial list) These coincidences are SO numerous, repetitive, redundant, and intriguing. I "think" John Curry was first recommending, then staging, and then cherry picking American personnel for both commands as early as June '39 and as late as Aug/Sept. '41 - when America was still neutral but likely to soon be at war.

Afterall, Jack and Chennault had done the same thing in '34 at Tuskegee - with the training of Black pilots for "private" duty in Abyssinia/Ethiopian campaign. This whole Soldier of Fortune, Mercinary for hire, keep your citizenship and military rank while serving in a foreign war seems to be almost routine just before WW2.

Jack Curry seems such an unlikely candidate to have done these things without authorization - that there must be a paper trail some where.
The timing is just after Jack Curry left the War Plans Air division in the Army Chief of Staff Office (where he worked with Eisenhower and for Arnold) and a rather leisurely assignment as Commander Hamilton Field (Marin County) but before the stiff assignment of organizing 2nd Air Force.

I wish this particular posting was a bit more compact but I have so many wispy threads, character's names, and far flung fields full of intrigue... that this part of the Curry puzzle is going to take awhile.

I was reading an oral history of Eugene Eubank sent to me by Lt. Col. Mark Hess. It has detail that I haven't had before regarding Maxwell during the Curry Administration. Gen. Eubank talks about the lively debates at Maxwell, circa '32-'36. The publishing of papers: the cogent and editorially honed arguments over coffee, drinks, and hangar flying sessions. Gen. Eubank's compared it to the Command Staff School at Leavenworth. "At Leavenworth you were taught what they wanted you to know. At Maxwell you invented what everyone wanted to know and got to meet everyone who wanted to know it."

Great Quote!!!

Gen. Eubank also went into some detail on the failings of Billy Mitchell and his two antagonists. Gens. Menoher and Patrick.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_T._Menoher
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mason_Patrick
Both of whom were sidelined early after the Mitchell Court Martial Affair by the men of vision Arnold, Spaatz, Emmons, Eakers, Curry, Olds, Kenney, and Chennault. It is interesting to me that Jack Curry was in Washington and NC of CAP in Jan. 42 when Gen. Patrick was laid to rest at Arlington. Jack didn't attend the funeral. Or, at least Patrick's funeral is not in Curry's diary entries for that day.

Gen. Eubank worked for Jack Curry on at least 3 occasions. Maxwell, Mitchell's staff in the Mexican Campaign, and Hawaii.
http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=5370

^^^^^^^

I found another place that Gene Eubank worked for Jack Curry. Gen. Eubank was a test pilot at the original Wright Field and before that assigned on Jack Curry's Staff at McCook Field while Wright (Patterson) Field was being built in '26-'27. Truly, Eubank is another Curry Boy. Gen. Eubank is not included in the Curry file before as likely the correspondence regarding him had been destroyed when Jack burned his files in the 50's, or after Jack's death when the family got rid of the much of the remaining files.

If one takes into account all of the men and discussions under Jack Curry's Maxwell command '32-'36 - It seems obvious that Maxwell was not only the center of the Air Corps universe in the mid-thirties, but that the Air Force of WW2 through the modern era was formulated during that same time at Maxwell. Maxwell '32-'36, not the War Dept, not the Pentagon, Command Schools, or Wright Pat, was the nursery of Modern American Air Power.

Eliminating the technology of stealth and unmanned air vehicles as epic changes for the Air Force, everything that comes before that traces right back to Maxwell: Strategic Bombing, Air Superiority Doctrine, Forward Tactical control, the combat box, even air to air refueling (Remember Eaker/Spaatz in Question Mark? http://www.atalink.org/hallfame/eaker.html) Logisitical support, heavy, medium, and tactical lift, command and control doctrines, specialized tactical fighters, regimented training of personnel, configuration of air bases, deep penetration strikes, industrial capacity studies, etc. etc.

Of course lessons were learned later too. Some of those taught to us in War by both the Japanese and Germans... but the source, the root, the well-spring of American Air Power Doctrine is Maxwell '32-'36 and the super star officers located, hand picked, under the command of John F. Curry.

This was sent to me today by Lt. Co. Mark Hess of the Georgia Wing. It is from Gen. Haywood Hansells book on Air Doctrine:
Air Doctrine and Strategic Principles

The Air Corps Tactical School was established at Langley Field, Virginia, in 1920. Beginning as a Field Officers' School, it did not expand its scope of instruction and stress airpower employment until the end of the decade. Then, the school was blessed with a group of gifted leaders and independent thinkers -- Robert Olds, Kenneth Walker, Harold Lee George, Donald Wilson, Muir "Santy" Fairchild -- names honored by the Air War College, Air Command and Staff College, Air Force Academy, and throughout the modern Air Force. But there was another stalwart leader who has received less recognition, though he should be listed among the best. This was John F. Curry, Commandant of the Air Corps Tactical School from 1931 to 1935, a period when the principal texts were prepared for Air Warfare and Principles of Air Force Employment. Much of the basic strategy of American air power was developed under his regime. At a time when the War Department was threatening dire punishment from above, Curry protected the freedom of his faculty. He made possible the development of doctrines of air power which formed the basis for the creation of the Army Air Forces (AAF) and its employment in World War II. Under his leadership the school bridged the transition from broad generalities of pioneering air prophets to more pragmatic application of air power in attainment of specific objectives.

Gen. Hansell is considered the father of American Strategic Bombing and in the same Hansell the street is named in which CAP's Headquarters is located at Maxwell. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haywood_S._Hansell

Regarding the Vestiges of John Curry to be found in CAP today. Please note:

CAP has always had Command and Staff organized to military standards. The current ICS system, while often spoken of as coming from Wildland Fire Managers, actually is built upon General's Command (War) Staff circa 1932.

Brief, debrief, command staff, logistics, planning, operations, training then credential validation, resources, intelligence, public relations, mission staff, (IC) commander, finance, ops tempo, strike teams, etc, etc, etc, have all been part of CAPs systems since day one. These terms while new to some have been part of CAP since 1941.

When you talk to the military or allied agencies... when you talk ICS/NIMS... remind them where the terms, organization, and plans came from. Gently remind your counterparts that these were installed by Maj. Gen. John F. Curry at the first official CAP staff meeting which was on Dec. 17th 1941 at Bolling Field Washington DC. Respectfully remind them that the original system was installed by Gen. Douglas MacArthur in '32. Propose to them that the system was refined from a generally similar system that had been in place since Gen. Pershing and the Mexican Expedition of 1917. Suggest to them that all of the Civil Defense Authority Components were arranged just this way as of July 17th 1941. This is long before the Police, Fire, Rescue, Disaster managers ever heard about these procedures.

Of course pieces of this go back to Napoleon, the Romans, and the Spartans... but that will just confuse the issue of lineage.

According to some folks I have talked to in the last few months there is a misunderstanding about the organizational declared date and the actual date in which CAP began. The announcement date is of course Dec. 1st 1941. But we have found nearly routine references to Civil Air Patrol throughout the summer and fall of '41. These references come from Colorado, Florida, Texas, California, Georgia, Maryland, New York, and Washington DC.

For instance from the St. Petersburg Florida Times Nov. 14th 1941.

CIVIL AIR PATROL MEETING DELAYED
"A conference of the Florida Wing, Civil Air Patrol, scheduled to meet at the Coast Guard Air base has been postponed until further notice by orders of headquarters in Washington... ... delay in completing the National Plan has made this postponement necessary."

So as you can see from this announcement we have a Florida Wing and a Washington Headquarters in Nov. 1941. Frankly this is one of hundreds of references from around the country prior to Dec. 1st. '41. There are also pictures of personnel wearing khaki uniforms - again the Florida Wing as early as Oct. 1941.

As of yet we don't know how formal or informal things were before the Dec. 1st date but there were people referring to themselves as CAP. Later these same people would be official in every regard so this isn't some coincidence.

Again, my thanks to Mark Hess of the Georgia Wing for passing this along.

It was delayed cuz it didn't exist?   >:D

This was due to the CAP being organized. The date December 1, 1941 refers to the initial filing of the paper work and December 8, 1941 is the date that the paperwork was confirmed. I will look at my records some more but I believe that is the reasoning.

^^^^^^
Jim;
Civil Air Patrol, and in this I mean the same Civil Air Patrol that we are members of today, is in name at least part of the Civil Defense Act in Mar/Apr 41. (There are a series of policy decisions that come along in quick succession after FDR is reelected and sworn in for a 3rd time in Jan. '41) I've got numerous previous posts on this matter.

So the time line as I have it goes LaGuardia and Curry talk in late July or early Aug. 41. The recruitment of Wing Commanders begins within a few weeks. Oct. 5th. '41 is the nomination date for the Wing Commanders. John Curry tells his family that he is taking the CAP job just before school starts in Sept. '41 but doesn't tell his family that they are moving to Washington DC until Oct or early Nov. '41. (making me think Curry thought for a time he would stay in Denver, perhaps he didn't think he was going to with stay on at CAP any longer than Dec. '41)

Various bands of formally named (but perhaps informally organized groups line up for Wings as early as Oct. '41. John Curry is in Washington in late Oct. There was a big meeting with Generals Arnold and Marshall that laid out all the volunteer services under the Civil Defense Authority. Supposedly this was to be the first CAP announcement date. It is postponed until Nov. 17 or 19th (I can't tell as this letter is on onion skin and hard to read) Anyway, that date is obviously moved back again. Probably the Florida Wing was given the OK to have the organizational meeting but had to postpone due to the change of date.

I think it was a fluid situation. I think that people were working as fast as they could in a time when fax (yes there was a form of a fax machine at that time http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellschreiber) and long distance calls were a rarity and travel was by train and only occasionally by slow plane. So it seems to me that the fall of '41 is a most interesting and telling time. Things were in rapid flux. The flux made the postponment in the article I am referring too.

As an addition to the dates above. Robert Olds doesn't take over John Curry's 2nd Air Force job until Jan. '42. AND, Delos Emmons is replaced as Commander of all Volunteer Organizations (he is sent to Hawaii to replace Gen. Short after Pearl Harbor attack about Dec. 14th '41) but Emmons replacement doesn't take over until early Feb. 42. As such most CAP Wings and Command and Staff at HQ are not fully organized until Feb/Mar. 42.

Reference the "St.Petersburg Times" story. The Squadron there was disbanded in 1944. The Squadron had been a Senior Squadron serving MacDill Army Air Base and what is not St.Petersburg Clearwater Army Airfield as well as the Coast Guard Air Station. In 1947, I got permission from Major Jack Baumberger, Group 3 Commander to start a Squadron in St. Petersburg. At the first meeting 250 prospective cadets and twenty prospective Senior members attended the first meeting. Of these 125 cadet joined CAP along with 12 Senior members. Three of the Seniors had been in the original Squadron. They said the Squadron was formed prior to 1 December 1941. The Squadron is still in existance as SER FL066.

Wow. 262 at the opening open house. How times have changed.

1947.. and the communication method was the town crier and the newspaper.

So there was a 3 year gap of no presence, and it's been there ever since.  Bounced around meeting locations I'd imagine. Any building from back when has probably been flattened or had it's asbestos and lead paint chased away..

^^^^^
According to Flying Minute Men (Neprud book) 1948 version Chapter 2 Civilians With Wings pg. 31 Paragraph 2 sentence 2:

"In April 1941 the Governors of Colorado and Missouri approved Air Squadrons for their states. {{{{Notice that Neprud doesn't say Civil Air Patrol Squadrons at this point}}}} The well-organized Florida Defense Force headed by "Ike" Vemilya and including many of the nations top pilots, entered the arena in May. As the summer wore on, Alabama, Kentucky, Ohio, and Texas went into action."

Then skip down to the next to last paragraph page 31:
"The Committee submitted a program late in June 1941. Reed Landis, World War 1 Ace, and an aeronautical expert, was appointed aviation consultant to the OCD (Office of Civilian Defense) director late that summer ('41) to assist with
development of the plan and to help guide the project past the shoals of official opposition. Working with the advice and support of the country's leading airmen, Landis and (Gill Robb) Wilson whipped the paper organization into shape by early October ('41)."

While I have many problems with the accuracy of much of the Neprud book, this seems pretty close to what we are finding in the contemporary (newspaper) accounts and in the correspondence collection too. The exception being that I have found lots of mentions of Landis, Curry, Laguardia, Guy Gannett, etc. - through this period of time. BUT, very little contemporary corroboration regarding Gill Robb Wilson. GRW seems to be most involved with the NAA and I found nothing specific regarding his service in CAP during the summer of '41, except in the Neprud book.

a2Capt

Checking Google Earth, I find that all of the 1940's meeting locations are long gone except for what was called Hanger 3 at Albert Whitted Airport. One location which was the U.S. Merchent Marine Academy is now part of the St. Petersburg campus of the University of South Florida and the building has been replaced. The location at Pinellas International Airport is also gone replaced by an industrail park. A building used as mission headquarters at at Albert Whitted  Airport, is also missing.
By the way how many clusters do you get on a cadet recruiting ribbong for 137 members?

Just got back from the Colorado Wing Conference where I had the privilege of hearing about General Curry, seeing some of the artifacts mentioned here, and some other interesting bits of Colorado Wing history as well from Ed.  What a fantastic storyteller!  If you guys think he's great in this thread, hopefully you will get to hear him in person someday!

Thanks for the great presentation today, it was well worth the trip!

There was a thread on CAPTalk about the Doolittle Raiders Reunion. Wouldn't it be great to see a Reunion of the CAP Sub-Chasers at the National Conference? How many are still alive? How many do you know of in your area? They are a living piece of CAP History and flew for CAP the same months Doolittle made the raid on Japan.

I'm not surprised that there was a bunch of stuff going on before CAP was officially launched.  Not that much different than when you start a new squadron today -- you've already got your leadership ready to go before you charter the unit.  I think that a lot of states had their own state-level version of CAP before CAP was formed, sometimes associated with a State Guard (SDF) and sometimes not.   

RiverAux;
There were numerous ad-hoc state groups of pilots and planes starting as earlier as 1939. Gill Robb Wilson was instrumental in beginning many of these. Some were called things like Coastal Patrol, State Defense Authority, Civilian Forestry Patrol, Civilian Air Patrol, Civilian Watch Patrol, Air Patrol, Air Cadets, etc, etc. The NAA helped set up many of these like minded but fragmented organizations. Many if not most of these were the starter yeast of Civil Air Patrol. Many members, many planes, many pilots, many cadets would come through these organizations to be claimed by Civil Air Patrol in '41. Also the WAACs, WASPS, United States Nursing Corps, and the like would be incorporated through out the war and raise the ranks and membership of CAP. CAP was never a stand alone organization. It however has benefited by the foresight of many. I think this is where we find the heart of the work performed by Gill Robb Wilson and many of our forefathers (Ike Vermilya, http://www.group7hq.com/wright-vermilya.aspx Guy Gannett and GRW) and fore-mothers (Jackie Cochran).

To all of these kindred organization we owe a debt of gratitude. Most of these are forgotten but could be a part of any good historians region or state projects. Historians - please consider adding these organizations to your to do list.

Shad Brown; Thank you or the compliment above and let me return it in kind. It was nice to have you in the little presentation of the Wing History projects and congratulations on your fine work as Pueblo Squadron's Commander.

I was in Colorado Springs this past weekend for the Colorado Wing Conference. I stayed at the Embassy Suites off Woodman Dr. Next door was ENT Federal Employees Credit Union. This facility is named after Gen. Uzal Ent. He was: one of the Curry Boys from Maxwell who I have written about earlier in this thread, Commander during the '43 Ploesti Romania Oil Field raids in WW2, former 2nd Air Force Commander in Colo. Spgs., and the namesake of Ent Air Force Base the first home of NORAD (now Northcom) Headquarters. http://www.generals.dk/general/Ent/Uzal_Girard/USA.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ent_Air_Force_Base

Ent AFB is the first place that the Canadian Mapleleaf flag was ever displayed internationally, in front of the old Headquarters building at Ent. The Commonwealth Union Jack had been the Canadian Flag until the 50s. I've heard that NORAD not having England as a participant, made the British Military a little nervous, as they didn't want to be included in a nuclear strike on North America. So, the Brits insisted that Canada use the Maple leaf flag that we know today. ( this unconfirmed story comes from a fellow I know who served at that base at that time)

I just finished watching "Command Decision" on Turner Classic Movies. While a fictional account. It covers the darkest days of the 9th Air Force's Strategic Bombing Campaign of Europe in WW2. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040242/

In it's way it is true. Take both Heywood Hansell and Ira Eakers fictionalized by Clark Gable's character, Jimmy Doolittle for Brian Donlevy, and Carl Spaatz for Walter Pigeon... well you'll get the idea. Watch the movie and you'll see the parallels.

Quote from: Smithsonia on May 24, 2010, 07:39:04 PM

Ent AFB is the first place that the Canadian Mapleleaf flag was ever displayed internationally, in front of the old Headquarters building at Ent. The Commonwealth Union Jack had been the Canadian Flag until the 50s. I've heard that NORAD not having England as a participant, made the British Military a little nervous, as they didn't want to be included in a nuclear strike on North America. So, the Brits insisted that Canada use the Maple leaf flag that we know today. ( this unconfirmed story comes from a fellow I know who served at that base at that time)

Maple Leaf was adopted in 1965 (I remember when the ceremony was on TV).  Before that the Canadians used this flag:

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/43/Canadian_Red_Ensign.svg/120px-Canadian_Red_Ensign.svg.png)

It's a fairly handsome flag.

I spent the day (6-7-10) with Sheila Curry DeKalb - Jack Curry's daughter and last remaining first generation relative - She looked through the Curry file on CAPTALK and was most gratified. She didn't know many of the stories posted, had forgotten some of the other stories, and added some dates and personages to still other stories. So when I get back to Denver, I'll be updating this thread.

Sheila turned 84 last month. She is as dear a woman as God made. Of course her mother and father are long gone but so is her husband, sister Joan, and son Dwayne. It is one of the great pleasures in life to listen to her talk and know that the history of Jack Curry is coming straight from the life he lived. Straight from the last person who knew him as a vigorous man. Straight from heart. It was a great pleasure to listen as her tear welled eyes relived the past for me.

She particularly appreciated the Captalk members who've posted and kept interest in this thread. I thank you too. I had a very good day.

One of the falacies of the cadet program is the Curry Award is the first achievement. News cadets earn the award with zero knowledge of who General Curry was. The rest of the Phase one awards are better known to cadets. In the average Squadron, I doubt that over ten percent, both cadets and seniors know who General Curry was, and his relationship and goals of the early CAP.

When I hold a cadet review board, I ask them to tell me something about the person the award is named after,. If they don't know they're told IE Doollittles Raid on Tokyo, 1st PhD in Aeronautical Engineering, and led 8th AF.

A quote about 2 of my favorite characters in the Curry thread. Gen. George Kenney said of Gen. Claire Chennault.

"In time of War the rebel against accepted doctrine who wins - is decorated, promoted, and hailed as a great military Captain,
but in time of peace the nonconformist is looked upon as a trouble maker. He is seldom marked for promotion to higher rank and is generally
retired or induced to resign."

We'll have pictures, stories, monographs, maps, and military records of both Chennault and Kenney online soon.
Here's the Monograph of Chennault: http://www.scribd.com/doc/33333848/General-Claire-Chennault

This is a pertinent commentary and arguable. The headline:

McChrystal Bites the Billy Mitchell Bullet

In this thread I have tried to get readers to better understand the issues between command and Billy Mitchell, Claire Chennault, and a few more Air Corps brand names. We've seen a perfect example today in the firing of Stan McChrystal. The reason I love and teach history is because it is always about the news and not the dead. Both spoke their mind but improperly so.

I was hoping that my boss General James Mattis would have taken over.  But moving Patreaus in was a brilliant move.  The weird thing is, this is sort of a demotion in a way.  If the #2 man at CENTCOM takes over, then in fact he then becomes Petreaus' boss!

General Mattis was passed over for Marine Commandant.  He leaves JFCOM this fall.  I fear now he will retire.

I agree this is a great example.

Below is Gen. Hap Arnold Speaking to the integration of African American Troops and the building of the Tuskegee Airmen. Regarding the period of July '40-June '41. Below is taken from a book AND the entire book can be found here: http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/11-4/index.htm

THE QUOTE IS:
At this point of threatened impasse General Arnold, Chief of the Air Corps, asked, in a marginal note, "Gen. Johnson How should we go about training the colored mechanics for 1 squadron with the least trouble and effort?" 20 Within a week, the Air Corps prepared a plan. It recommended to G-3 that, "if it is imperative that negro tactical units be formed," instruction should be undertaken to provide men for one Corps and Division Observation Squadron, with training concentrated at "a recognized colored school, such as Tuskegee" in order to eliminate the possibility of racial difficulties which might occur elsewhere. "Although a definite decision may have been reached at this time to organize colored units in the Air Corps," the memorandum continued, "no country in the world has been able to organize a satisfactory air unit with colored personnel." Three years, the Air Corps remonstrated, would be necessary to train a crew chief, two more years for a hangar chief, and a total of ten years for a line chief.21 That a Negro combat unit could be formed in time to be of value to the national defense at all was doubted. The day after it received this memorandum G-3 called for the submission of a plan to train a Negro single engine pursuit unit.22

Looking at the quotes above - you can see what the Tuskegee Airmen were up against.

Quote from: Smithsonia on June 23, 2010, 06:19:54 PM
This is a pertinent commentary and arguable. The headline:

McChrystal Bites the Billy Mitchell Bullet

In this thread I have tried to get readers to better understand the issues between command and Billy Mitchell, Claire Chennault, and a few more Air Corps brand names. We've seen a perfect example today in the firing of Stan McChrystal. The reason I love and teach history is because it is always about the news and not the dead. Both spoke their mind but improperly so.

I think there is an important difference.  Mitchell, as I understand it, was a bit too aggressive in pushing his air power agenda.  McChrystal may have had an agenda but he and his staff had a total disrespect for the President and his advisors and the concept of civilian control of the military.  Notice that even Obama's harshest GOP critics supported his sacking of McChrystal.  History proved Mitchell's ideas on air power correct; history might even prove McChrystal correct in how he wanted to conduct the Afghan War. But it will not support his personal insults of his CINC and the VP and who is ultimately in charge of the military in our country.   

^^^^^^
TDepp
I was thinking something different. Basically both men had a history of outlandish statements and inflated sense of self persecution. Both were warned to tone it down and both were sacked.

Billy Mitchell and Stan McChrystal crossed a line that no one could fully support. Both men left among supporters who could no longer justify this support. So I think it is a good analogy but don't want this thread highjacked to defend this argument.

In this thread I have spoken about Jackie Cochran several times. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacqueline_Cochran

The WASPs/WACs/ and CAP have many common ancestors and duties.

Here's the WASPs training yearbook from Sweetwater TX Avenger Field in 1943. From the extensive collection of Lt. Col. Mark Hess.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/27788417/WWII-1943-Avenger-Field-Yearbook

Once again - Give it time to load.

I went to Peterson AFB in Colorado Springs Sat and Sun for the CO/WG Guided Training Exercise. We were stationed at the Aero Club along the old WW2 hangar line. We were about 200 yards from the old control tower. A control tower built when John Curry was 2nd AF Commander in Aug '41. T

At Peterson the view is grand and the history of the base is even grander. This is where Generals Olds, Ent, and Armstrong Commanded the 2nd Air Force...all Curry Boys from '32-'36 at MAXWELL. (basically 2nd Ar Force was assigned Bomber training in the Western US during WW2)

The tower received Lt.Col. Paul Tibbets in July 1945. He reported to the military the successful A-Bomb test at Trinity site
New Mexico. This is where the bomber force launched that would eventually end the war. Gen. Frank Armstrong was in command took 30 B29s from Peterson and picked up 8 more from Wendover (including Tibbets) and flew on to Tinnian in late July '45. In other words exactly 65 years ago. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_A._Armstrong

During the GTE, our Civil Air Patrol planes ran up framed by Pikes Peak and made for some amazing photos. I was simply over powered by the weekend of PIO duty on this remarkable and historic base.

Here is an extensive article regarding Air Maneuvers On the West Coast from 1933.
Give it plenty of time to load. It took 10 minutes on my computer.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/35177432/1933-Coastal-Artillery-Journal-Oct

Beginning on Page 355. Ending on page 361. This article details the initial work done by the Curry Boys at Air Tactical Command in Maxwell. The names of Air Corps brand names like Maj. Spaatz, Lt. Col. Arnold, and Lt. Col. Curry are laced throughout this extensive article. If you have been a fan of the work of the Curry Boys at Maxwell this is a must read.

Taken from the extensive collection of Lt. Col Mark Hess, I thank him for its use in this thread.

Quote from: Smithsonia on July 12, 2010, 09:18:24 PM
I went to Peterson AFB in Colorado Springs Sat and Sun for the CO/WG Guided Training Exercise. We were stationed at the Aero Club along the old WW2 hangar line. We were about 200 yards from the old control tower. A control tower built when John Curry was 2nd AF Commander in Aug '41. T

At Peterson the view is grand and the history of the base is even grander. This is where Generals Olds, Ent, and Armstrong Commanded the 2nd Air Force...all Curry Boys from '32-'36 at MAXWELL. (basically 2nd Ar Force was assigned Bomber training in the Western US during WW2)

The tower received Lt.Col. Paul Tibbets in July 1945. He reported to the military the successful A-Bomb test at Trinity site
New Mexico. This is where the bomber force launched that would eventually end the war. Gen. Frank Armstrong was in command took 30 B29s from Peterson and picked up 8 more from Wendover (including Tibbets) and flew on to Tinnian in late July '45. In other words exactly 65 years ago. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_A._Armstrong

During the GTE, our Civil Air Patrol planes ran up framed by Pikes Peak and made for some amazing photos. I was simply over powered by the weekend of PIO duty on this remarkable and historic base.

I joined CAP as a cadet in November of 1981 with the Colorado Springs Cadet Squadron, 05030.  We met in the Aero Club building on one end (they had the other end).  Don't know if it is still there in the same place now, but I still remember those days fondly.  I still have friends who were former cadets in the area.


Cheers

John Curry graduated from West Point in the Class of  1908. Here's his natty class picture:
http://digital-library.usma.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/stockbridge&CISOPTR=1569&CISOBOX=1&REC=1

West Point has just recently added all their yearbooks (titled "the Howitzer) online. This was pointed out by Lt. Col. Mark Hess
and I hope to glean more Curry information soon.

Here's a series of photos taken from West Point's yearbook (The Howitzer) circa 1907-08.
http://digital-library.usma.edu/cdm4/results.php?CISOOP1=any&CISOBOX1=1908&CISOFIELD1=CISOSEARCHALL&CISOROOT=all&CISOSTART=1,21

You'll see John Curry's photo at the top of the page. Above that and to the right is a navigation tab that will let you peruse all the pictures from that era. It is amazing to see the ancient quality of West Point 1908 and compare it to WW2 Army Air Corps bases that were built by the Major General. There was an epoch change that went through his life from horse drawn caisson to B-29. Ramble around this picture library and consider
the distance his life traveled.

Once again, I thank Lt. Col. Mark Hess for providing this material.

Jackie Cochran is one of my favorite research figures in the Curry Files. Remarkable human in every respect. Here is an interesting video. It is a behind the scenes tour of the Air Force Academy. Jackie admits that pretty girls shouldn't be around the campus. It sounds like she is against female cadets. In 1974 - Jackie,  who was urging for Female AF Academy Cadets... makes a provocative comment. However, it was about the social distractions that non-student "pretty girls" might cause at the then all male academy. Listen and see what you think. This is a great piece of history and a display of how an innocent comment can become warped through history.

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675032923_Jacqueline-Cochran_United-States-Air-Force-Academy_chapel_cadets-walk

From the extensive files and vital archives of Lt. Col. Mark Hess.

Another video from the archives of the Air Force Academy:

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675074799_Civil-Air-Patrol-Pilots_aircraft-crash-in-mountain_spotting_dispatch-of-rescue-party

You'll enjoy a look at a WW2 CAP Air and Ground Rescue... including evacuation by mule with the stretcher mounted to a saddle.

Another remarkable piece from the Lt. Col. Mark Hess Collection.

At the end of WW2, in early Aug '45, there was a series of B-29 Raids on Japan with conventional bombs. Because of the spectacular Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear explosions, these raids went under reported. Here is General Spaatz, General Kenney's, and General Arnold's communiques regarding these raids.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/37163410/Carl-Spaatz-papers-related-to-the-Japan-air-raids

This is an extensive download. It is will worth the reading. My contention has long been that is wasn't Hiroshima that ended the war. It wasn't even Nagasaki. These were remote sites and distant cities and it took time for the Japanese leadership to understand the threat of one large bomb wiping out a city. However, these thousand plane raids made the plight of the Japanese plain. The final raids, which was crewed by numerous generals including Curtis LeMay. This is an account of the "Raid of the Generals". It is the first time that air power by itself ended a major war.

If you've followed these characters through this thread - you know of their connection to Jack Curry.

I thank Lt. Col. Mark Hess for the web-address above. It is a remarkable find accomplished by a remarkable researcher. 

I've been to Mendocino CA. to meet with the executor of  younger daughter Joan Curry's will, Susan Smith. On Tuesday I picked up 5 diaries, a swagger stick, a scrapbook and some other material. I am bringing these back to Denver. Some are on loan, some have been donated.

The Diaries include WW1, Maxwell and Langley '31-37, Jack Curry's wedding and birth of his 2 daughters, Hawaii in 21/22, and some WW2. The names of Spatz, Spaatz, Eakers, Arnold, Ent, Chennault, Olds, are scattered throughout. However, I haven't had time to delve deeply into them yet.

Jack Curry was an indefatigable diarist - Each diary covers 3 to 4 years - Perhaps 15-20 years of his career. These will be invaluable. Much more on this treasure trove soon. Susan Smith seems very keen on preserving and documenting Jack Curry's great deeds. I'll let you know what I know as quick as I can.

As promised I began going through the Curry Diaries today. i'll try and do one year per week and post.
Highlights - WW 1 Diary Entries of Jack Curry (partial compilation)
Oct. 17th 1918 - Rain today Go to 2nd Army as Chief of Staff
Oct. 23rd Leonard Cora Died today
Oct 25th To Toule Airdrome for look
Oct. 26 Kirby hurt in crash
Oct. 29 Drop leaflets over Austrians. Shot down over LaChaussee' 4:30pm 200 yards infront of our lines. Plane left.
Nov 3rd - Ran into balloon near Prexey. Shot it down. Scrappy.
Nov 11 - Last trip over lines. Great Battalion in Nancy. Dinner 25th Aero Sqr.
Nov. 12. Alive - let down from war. All very strange.

Today I sent off the Air Corps Footlocker and some stars, wings, and militaria of John Curry when he ran the Tactical Air Command School at Maxwell.

The Footlocker will be used in an exhibit at the renewed Headquarters building. I thank Jim Shaw for putting this all together. I look forward to the building's dedication and eventually seeing some of the Curry Memorabilia on display. This footlocker has been in my basement for 8 months. My wife is happy to bid the dusty relic goodbye. But, actually tonight... I miss it. It's headed your way Jim.

Curses! I'm currently at National Staff College. The dedication will be the 28th or 29th, but I leave on the 24th and I'll miss it.

Quote from: Smithsonia on October 18, 2010, 11:49:32 PM
Today I sent off the Air Corps Footlocker and some stars, wings, and militaria of John Curry when he ran the Tactical Air Command School at Maxwell.

The Footlocker will be used in an exhibit at the renewed Headquarters building. I thank Jim Shaw for putting this all together. I look forward to the building's dedication and eventually seeing some of the Curry Memorabilia on display. This footlocker has been in my basement for 8 months. My wife is happy to bid the dusty relic goodbye. But, actually tonight... I miss it. It's headed your way Jim.

Ed:


Got any other dusty relics that your wife wants to get rid of?

My HQ has a "Heritage Hall" with CAP memorabilia displayed.  I have pix from the Coastal Patrol, and off-the-computer reproductions of a Norge washer ad and a Lucky Strike cigarette ad, as well as a local pic taken when CAP here ran air support to marine exclusion operations for the space shuttle launches.

My HQ is used by our Group to hold "Auxiliary Officer Training School" which is an enhanced level 1 course for new SM officers.  Bombarding the FNG's with our history is a good way to inspire them to reach for excellenc\e.

Katch;
If I have anything extra - I'll letcha know. Actually, I have stuff everywhere but either it is worthless or spoken for.

You'll love this Curry Diary entry - June 22 1927. Hamilton Field Ohio. "Much excitement Lindbergh today. Missed routing from St. Louis. Kenney's for Dinner." (Interpretation) Charles Lindbergh came to Hamilton to meet Orville Wright. Wright is not mentioned. Lindbergh is exciting. Lindbergh got a little lost coming from St. Louis. George Kenney who would become MacArthur's Air Chief in WW2 and was John Curry's COS at this time, hosted a dinner.  So in one entry we find: John Curry, Orville Wright, Charles Lindbergh, and George Kenney. For Curry this wasn't unusual.

These are the people Curry saw in '35 - At least the one's I could identify as you need two names or a recurrently used familiar nick name.
Sumpter Smith who received the Distinguished Service Medal posthumously in WW2  - http://www.oursmithfamily.org/aviation/aviation.htm
Harvey Burnell - Australian Tuberculoses Anti Smoking advocate and lung specialist.
Leslie MacDill -MacDill Air Force Base is named in honor of Col Leslie MacDill (1889–1938). Commissioned in the Coast Artillery in 1912, Colonel MacDill became a military pilot in 1914. During World War I he commanded an aerial gunnery school in St Jean de Monte, France. http://www.shorpy.com/node/6496
Gen. Bowley - They served together in Mexico. http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/ajbowley.htm
Charles MacDonald http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_H._MacDonald
Gen. Craig http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/malincra.htm
Gen. Stanley Dunbar Embick http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Dunbar_Embick
Muir Fairchild - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muir_S._Fairchild
The President-FDR at a reception before the Army Navy game.
The Chinese Ligation at Bolling Field in Washington DC. (this one will be important as Chennault will leave 3 months later to work for
the Chinese.)
I think there are numerous references to Claire Chennault in these diaries - however it is never by name but only his initials. CC. So cocktails
OClub CC, pursuit class CC, CC demo team. It's got to be Chennault... but I don't think it is definitive just yet because CC has many interpretations: copies, commander, commanding colonel, or some one else's initials that I am not familiar with.etc, etc.

Lt. Wagner - Lt. Boyd "Buzz" Wagner becomes the first American USAAF ace of World War II by shooting down his fifth Japanese plane over the Philippines.

Curry Diary entry - Jan 1 '37. Eglin killed in Alabama Air Crash about noon. Very Sad today.
I've been working on a diary from '35-'37. I haven't found the Tuskegee stuff yet. However, lots of names to research. I think I'll find
it in here somewhere.

Col. Curry made $8,812.51 in 1935 and was reimbursed for $47.53 in car fare or mileage. That is a lot of money for "35.

I do have a 1925 JF Curry diary but...
Tons of references to Eakers, MacDill, Spaatz (spelled Spatz), Glenn Curtiss and Arnold flying in to McCook Field before the Billy Mitchell
Hearing which was in Oct. '25. These guys are coming through multiple times in 2 or 3 months. Also Bureau of Standards multiple meetings
at McCook Field before it was moved to Wright Pat in '27...

Curry states "Argued All Day" "Very Heated" "Trouble and Troubled". Could this have been about the Billy Mitchell Affair? What were they arguing about?

More research to do.

However in late Oct... no entries, for 9 days not one... were these the days he spoke on behalf of Mitchell? Interesting!

I have figure out the references to George Kenney in these diaries. He is called simply "Geo." Beginning in 1925 McCook Field
OH. Geo (Kenney) is in and out of camp all the time.

This also gives insight into the relationships Curry had with these men and the growth of familiarity in their names.

In '25 George Kenney is "Geo". Carl Spaatz is "Spatz" Hap Arnold is always Arnold. Leslie MacDill is always MacDill or Capt. MacDill... but eventually (by WW2) Capt. Eakers will become Ira or IE and Spaatz will become Tuey -- Diaries are simply full of wonderful little insights.

This also highlights the sense of community in the Air Corps back in "The Day."  The Air Corps was a small, tightly-knit community of aviators who shared a dedication to make American Air Power great.  We may never see such a group again in our modern, bureaucratic military, and that is a shame.

That's why, when a U-boat was spotted on a sandbar off Florida and nobody was available with a gun to shoot it, the CAP commander (a former Air Corps officer) felt comfortable in cutting the chain of command and calling Hap Arnold directly to vent his frustration.

Kach;
If I remember right there were about 2500 Air Service Members in '27. That was every Army person involved in Air Power (less-ness)
It was a tiny group. Back then, all the support personnel were regular Army. So if you were a mechanic - One day you worked on a Ford
truck, the next day a Jenny, and the day after that the wagon driven by mules. Such was the era of 1927.

However, by WW2 there is an additional reason for the short handing of names which I am detecting. These guys were
jumping grades by leaps and bounds as the war approached. So I'll see Capt. So and So due tomorrow and then Lt. Col. So and So stayed through Tuesday. It is the same guy who jumped 2 grades... Meaning he flew in with his new bars or chicken wings and now had to be re-referred to as Lt. Col. Eakers or Lt. Col. MacDill. Capt. Eglin became Fred after he was a Lt. Col. for instance.

I think just to keep it straight Jack Curry went to personal references for his upgrading buddies as he dispenses with references to ranks.

Quote from: Smithsonia on October 21, 2010, 12:15:27 PM
In '25 George Kenney is "Geo". Carl Spaatz is "Spatz" Hap Arnold is always Arnold. Leslie MacDill is always MacDill or Capt. MacDill... but eventually (by WW2) Capt. Eakers will become Ira or IE and Spaatz will become Tuey -- Diaries are simply full of wonderful little insights.

Gen Spaatz was originally "Spatz" He changed it in the 1930's because of the many mispronunciations of his name http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/airforce/p/spaatz.htm

MSG Mac;
I knew about the Spatz versus Spaatz name change and have written about it on this thread. Curry persisted with the Spatz versus Spaatz spelling - if informally -  even after the Spaatz name change - which was the point I was actually trying to make. Thanks for helping clear that up.

Regarding Curry and Lindbergh - the Stutz Bearcat Company gave Charles a car. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stutz_Bearcat
The promoter was trying to bring the company back and made a one of a kind custom car for Lindbergh.

They left it at McCook. Lindbergh was supposed to pick it up there. Instead his schedule allowed only for flying. So Jack Curry had a Stutz parked at his house for a few weeks until Capt. Lindbergh sent for it. I bring this up at this point because... Spatz and Stutz look alike on the handwritten page and you can imagine my confusion with Spatz parked in front of Curry's home for several months in July and Aug of 1927.

The Third Annual Curry Salute and Awards Ceremony in Denver is announced for Sat. Dec. 4th 2010. All CAP members are welcome.


         The Third Annual Maj. Gen. John F. Curry Salute and Awards Ceremony
         Date: Sat. Dec 4th, 2010
         Time:  Sign in at 0:900 hrs and Ceremony Begins - 09:30 hrs (please be on time)
         Place: Ft. Logan National Cemetery - Shelter A - see directions below

CURRY CADET PRESENTATION AND MAJ. GEN. CURRY GRAVESIDE TRIBUTE: CAPs First National Commander, Maj. Gen. John F. Curry is buried at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver. CAP was organized on Dec. 1, 1941 . The CO/WG and will conduct a Graveside Ceremony in honor of CAP Day and our first National Commander. This ceremony will be held on DECEMBER 4th, 2010 at Ft. Logan. SEE DIRECTIONS BELOW.
                     
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: At 09:30 hrs. on Sat. Dec. 4th 2010, CO/WG will conduct a ceremony at the graveside of Maj. Gen. John Curry. This will be a one hour  ceremony consisting of presentation of honored guests (and other special invitees TBA), Gen. Curry's biography, and a gravesite salute by cadets. We will dismiss no later than 11:00 hrs.
                     
On display this year will be the Personal Diaries of JF Curry from WW1 until 1940. These unique pieces of history will be on display at this ceremony only and will be returned to the family in a few months.
                   
                     
LOCATION: Ft. Logan National Cemetery. Directions here: http://www.cem.va.gov/CEM/cems/nchp/ftlogan.asp
Follow Interstate 25 to exit, Hampden Avenue (Highway 285). Turn (west) heading toward the mountains to Sheridan Boulevard. Turn left (south) on Sheridan Boulevard.     
                     
Cemetery is located two blocks south of Hampden Avenue on the left (east) side of Sheridan Boulevard. At the main West Entrance we will have officer or cadet with instructions to Pavilion A. Parking is limited. Please be on time. We don't want to leave people in the weather any longer than is necessary. We will meet at Shelter - A.
   
UNIFORM: Senior Members: USAF Style Dress or appropriate corporate equivalent (No polos). Cadets: BDU/Utility Uniform/or USAF Style Dress and dress appropriately for the weather. All Uniforms, shoes and boots should be clean and presentable. Plan on being in the weather for up to 90 minutes. Plan on cold and possible snowy conditions. Boots, over-shoes, overcoats, mufflers, gloves - acceptable. Squadron Officers will conduct a uniform inspection of their own cadets before the ceremony. This inspection should be informal and one-on-one. The first year we had 60 degrees and sunny. Last year - was a fresh 6 inch layer snow and 36 degrees. This years weather, of course, is to be determined. We'll find out together.
                     
COMMANDERS: 2010 is the first year this event has been opened to the Wing. You and your Curry Awardees, all interested members, and their parents are cordially invited. However, there will be a limit of 60 attendees. The POC would appreciate prompt response and promises equally prompt confirmation. Please address all questions to Capt. O'Brien at the address or number below.

Signed:

CAP CO. Wing Commander Col. Edward Phelka
Group One Commander Lt. Col. William Aceves
CAP Project Officer Capt. Ed O'Brien
303-871-9005/ email: ed@e-obrien.com

I've been going through the JF Curry Diaries from 1917-1939. In many years there is a reference to Egg Nog Party. "Nice Egg Nog Party at CC" "Good Egg Nog Party later" Things like that.

These references made me curious as they happened every week to 10 days and mostly on the weekends. Almost never around the holidays that egg nog consumption is associated with... Well, I finally figured these references out last night. These Egg Nog references occurred during Prohibition and are a substitute for Cocktail Parties. These occurred at Maxwell, Washingtion DC, Langley, Wright Field, and numerous other bases. US Prohibition Era was 1920-1933 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohibition

It makes sense that if you were going to drink and do it on base (if in private quarters) during prohibition - It would be good to have a cover or code word for it. Remember these men were sober military officers of consequence and of the first order. However, they were also young, hot fighter jocks too.

Diaries are simply the best historical instrument to penetrate the social characteristics of the subjects. This little piece of information establishes about egg nog parties says much about the social milieu of Jack Curry and the men mentioned in this thread.

By the way there was an egg nog party for Charles Lindbergh in '27, Hap Arnold in '32, and other dignitaries (including Congressmen and superior officers) too. Obviously this was a well tolerated occasion, if done discretely.

I am working on the Curry Diary from Maxwell '33/'35.
Jan 19 '33 - Air Conference in Town. Roosevelt (I am assumming FDR) and Gov. Miller's dinner - lots of spirits tonight
Jun 9 '34 clr cool Ferried Langley to Mitchel via Bolling. Stay N.Y. with Geo. (Kenney) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitchel_Air_Force_Base
Jun 20 '34 1 hr 35 min P-12 bumpy Delos (Emmons) supper http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delos_Carleton_Emmons
Aug. 9th '34 clr 85 Diarrhea all day. car to agency for check. back to bed
Nov. 22 '34 Flew P-12 1hr 10 min. High wind bad landing
Dec. 11 '34 Capt. Ballard and Lt. Castenada collide in air both killed - Ballard burned - very sad. New procedures
Dec 17 '34 MacDaniels & delos (Emmons) Mexican War Dept Funeral Gave Flag to Ar. (Army) Museum, good sleep
                (I'm assuming this has to do with Lt. Castenada's death but do not actually know)
Dec. 29 '34 Busy day - Dance Cocktails Club with Geo. (Kenney) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Kenney
Jan. 9 '35 - Steward AWOL $300 shortage Officers pay chit
There are notes in these days of his daughters illnesses, family get togethers, and more. In '30 and again in '35 Sheila Curry nearly died from
a series of infections in her ears that traveled to her brain. It was a desperate time in the Curry Household. It was a 2 month fight
that only the new and then lightly tested sulpha drug brought "My dear girl back" "It hurts to see her hurt so." "The doctors give no hope"
"Bad day for Sheila." "Very much worried." "Praying for our Little Girl, fever 104."

These tender entries go on for many days. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfonamide_%28medicine%29
There are other entries about playing golf, graduation at Maxwell, a surprise party on his birthday.
This was a heady time among the growing Air Corps elite... but these weren't easy days for Jack Curry. 

More on the 1931-'34 diaries of JF Curry. Some highlights that I have been able to research so far:
Feb 23 '32 Boeing Bomber demonstrated at field. Took off 1pm cracked up Nashville 3pm. No one hurt. Bed early.
Jan 1 '33 New Years Eve Party much fun. Sgt. Gilman killed today near Columbia. Sad news.
Jan. 3 '33 Maj. Smith here from McClellan (Beedle Smith) JF Pratt luncheon. Flew BT - 1hr 30min.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Bedell_Smith
Jan 12 '33 Flew PT-12 #2 First radio test. Not good. Bed Early
Jan 21 '33 Busy day. Pres Roosevelt arrive 7PM. Capitol for dinner at Gov. Mansion.
Jan 25 '33 Clear Boil on tail, Flew PT-12 #5 radio test. bad still.
Feb 7 '33 Lecture by Guidalla on History. "Remember Your History and Do Your Duty."
                (This line was uttered by JF Curry many times. I think this is the first reference. I don't know if he
                  came up with it - or the lecturer did)
Feb 28 '33 Very Busy. Ken Walker in hospital very sick. (Kenneth Walker eventually was awarded the Medal of Honor in WW2)
                http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Walker
Jan 8 '34. Spatz (Spaatz) and Gen F (Falois or Follett) here all day. Spatz to dinner.
Jan 18 '34 Hunting quail near Harmon (or Haumon) Ala with Vernon Pritchard fine time.
             (Pritchard was 1914 West Point Quarterback http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,792534-6,00.html )
Jan, 25 '34. Saw "Dawn Patrol" much depressed. ( http://movieclassics.wordpress.com/2009/01/21/the-dawn-patrol-1930/ )
Jan 30 '34. Roosevelt birthday ball tonight. Late night.
Feb 27 '34. Cold flew PT 12 1 hr 10 min in PM. Gen. Bullard to dinner http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Lee_Bullard
Mar. 3 '34 Stratemeyer to dinner much to talk about. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Stratemeyer
Mar 12 '34 Insp. (Inspector General) Follet all day good report. http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=9826

From the 1930 entries (which I haven't gone through completely but relate in narrative) Jan 30 '30 Hardest month in our life. Me sick then Sheila. Much too worried. JF Curry also relates that Sheila had 3 mastoid operations and he kept count of the nights with her and his wife Eleanor up all night. 26 repackings the wounds and 63 nights of tender loving care. Tough times for the Curry's in 1930. Ft.Leavenworth, then Langley, then Maxwell.

There is a topic in the Curry Diaries that I have touched on but don't think we fully appreciate.

HEALTH -
The routine care, comfort, medicines, nutrition, and even spirits of humans today is a miracle. Curry's diaries are from 1917-1939. Prominent on every page is death and disease. 
Care - Doctors didn't have antibiotics. Colds went on for a month or more as persistent infections travel through the body. Even ingrown hairs became boils of puss and caused lancing every few days. Tooth aches could kill as infection took hold. Children died young. Families worried. TB, Sleeping Sickness, food poisoning, malaria, croup, Flu was deadly, unbounded infections... abounded. Every page covering a week of entries at a time contains a reference to health. Jack Curry was not a hypochondriac. He was healthy by the standards of the day. BUT he worried about everyone.

Nutrition During this time, while no one starved, not everything was available every day. There were milk shortages and large amounts of fresh food that spoiled because of lack of cold storage. There was scurvy, rickets, food profiteers, and chronic hunger. Not on the Curry posts or airfields but around the areas that Curry traveled. (think about Grapes of Wrath farmers)

Comfort Air Conditioning was unknown. While there were fans, high ceilings, large windows, etc. There was also the daily battle with the environment and weather. People in the south routinely slept poorly and bathed in their own sweat or shivered in the cold. Pilots were exposed in open cockpits to brutal conditions. Hypothermia was not understood. There is a story of a pilot landing after a normal winter days flight that had to be physically retrieved from the plane, placed in the ops office, given medical brandy to warm him... then a reference to being taken to the hospital for altitude (or pilot fatigue) syndrome. Which is actually hypoxia and hypothermia. Back then the mental status of the syndrome was thought to be stress induced lapses or even chronic illness.

Oxygen deprivation at altitude increases the incidences of hypothermia. The body gets colder faster because O2 is missing at the capillary delivery points at the fingers, ears, and toes... and eventually the brain. When this occurs the brain is injured like a concussion.

As you know once you are very hypothermic it becomes easier to be chilled again. Confusion, restlessness, headaches persisted as the pilot became sicker and sicker after each days flight. Hypothermia (after it hits the brain) takes a few days to fully clear up. Repeated daily exposure cause a chronic condition that meant these men were always in pain (knees, fingers, necks, eyes, even noses) and old before their time. Three packs of cigarettes a day weren't helping either. Think about having a moderate ice cream headache all the time and that is what chronic twin brothers of hypoxia and hypothermia felt like to airmen of the 20s and thirties.

Most of Jack's contemporaries died in their mid-50s to early 60s. Many more died young and in war. Jack lived to be an old man...

If you think you have a tough life, you don't. The normal life we have today, when compared to the teens, twenties, and thirties - is a miracle.
SO TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO GIVE THANKS!!!

If you've been following the John Curry thread for some time - and are curious about all the characters in these pages - I have most of my collection in image form online at the TeamCap Library.
Here's Jack Curry's family, duties, friends, and comrades.
http://forum.teamcap.org/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=1055
http://forum.teamcap.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=2407
                   http://forum.teamcap.org/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=1656
                   http://forum.teamcap.org/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=1656&page=2
                   http://forum.teamcap.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=2319
                   http://forum.teamcap.org/gallery/index.php

Additionally - The Maxwell Gallery is worth your attention at:
http://forum.teamcap.org/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=1470

I worked several all nighters on this one. It is just that engaging a piece of historical research. This linking up of characters brings Hap Arnold, Jack Curry, Charles Lindbergh, Orville Wright, the Liberty Engine factory and Packard Aircraft engine plant, Muir Fairchild, George Kenney, Jimmy Doolittle, Edwin Aldrin (Astronaut Buzz Aldin's father), and a bunch more names all together in 2 places. McCook FIeld and/or Maxwell AFB.

First the story of Liberty Aircraft Engines (beginning in 1919): http://www.scribd.com/doc/45503292/1918-42-Liberty-Engine-History

AND the story of McCook Field (the precursor to both Maxwell's TAC and Wright Patterson's technical assessment, development, and evaluation schools. Read these:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/45553969/McCook-Field-History-I
http://www.scribd.com/doc/45554168/McCook-Field-History-II
http://www.scribd.com/doc/45555113/Air-Force-Flight-Test-History
http://www.scribd.com/doc/45554578/Air-Force-Logistics-Command-History

Jack Curry, Muir Fairchild, and George Kenney are both places over a 15-17 year period. This inter-war nascent, low profile development group is working through
the issues of American Air Power development up to and through WW2. Liberty Engine begat, Wright Engine, then Packard AIrcraft Engines, which has a deal with Rolls Royce for engine manufacture
during WW2 - This is the team that resolves the P-51 upgrade to a Roll Royce Engine from the Allison Engine - All this under the Chief Engineer, Curry Protege', and former Lt. Col. Jesse Vincent.
http://www.hemmings.com/hcc/stories/2006/01/01/hmn_feature17.html?t=printable
http://automotivehalloffame.org/honors/index.php?cmd=view&id=139&type=inductees

Other beneficiaries of the Jesse Vincent genius include Jimmy Doolittle and Eddie Rickenbacker each raced cars and planes for and with Packard/Vincent Engines. Jesse Vincent had the innovative touch that everyone wanted to receive.

In this story of Vincent and Curry there is a constant and rising drumbeat of conceptualizing- designing- building - testing - upgrading - retesting - and repeating.
You can see the lineage and progression here: http://www.ascho.wpafb.af.mil/lin_hon_cmdrs_of_asc.htm
This lineage includes Maj. Gen. Albert Boyd. http://www.ascho.wpafb.af.mil/korea/albertboyd.htm  - Well regarded test pilot and Air Force father of the KC135 air refueling program.

Additionally - Lining up this material from McCook FIeld ('23-'27) and Maxwell )'32-'36) with the entries in John Curry's Diaries of those years - There were many more arguments and troubled contentions within the McCook days. These are also  preceding and through the Billy Mitchell Court Martial of '25. It seems not that they were arguing about Mitchell... but reflecting Billy Mitchell's Command style (which was acrid and contentious). By Maxwell, Jack Curry's boys spent their time writing, assessing, revising, and developing ideas - through a measurable process with less time yelling, soothing hurt feelings, addressing grievances, and controlling emotions. I think this change over the years indicates something about the change in command style over time and the lessons learned from the Mitchell Affair and lessons learned in corralling and exploiting high functioning egos and geniuses. 

This place, time, and these characters are the progenitors and protagonists of American Military Aircraft development. This is big medicine for understanding where Jack Curry fits in the pantheon of not just Air Power advocates but more importantly, Authentic American Air Power Geniuses. Certainly Jesse Vincent (without formal training yet god granted gobs of innovative talent) fits the bill. The significance of this list of personages that John Curry cherry picked, head hunted, mentored, managed, and protected through his career can not be overstated. In this story I don't feel like I am reading the Bible... I feel like I am holding the tablets of the commandments. This link up of friends and colleagues is that important.

John Curry is a modern Prospero standing at the center of Shakespeare's Tempest. John Curry did not control the tempest but by selecting its elements he'd conger and deploy genius, his and theirs, for purposes unforeseen by lesser men.

I thank TeamCAP.org for help on this one.

There is an addition to my post above.
There were 2 centers of gravity for Air Service/Air Corps innovation post WW1.
Dayton OH and McCook/Wright Field/Wright Patterson AFB AND the Desert Southwest. Mainly Davis-Monthan in Tuscon but Rockwell Field, North Island Coronado Island San Diego. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockwell_Field

This is where the nook and cranny crew of Carl Spatz (Spaatz) Robert Olds, and Ira Eakers were working through the implementation of the Ohio innovations, mostly during the 20s.

I've written about a particular one of many Jack Curry's duties during WW2. He was on the Evaluation Board for the Mediterranean Theater. As such he worked on after action Air Corps Bombing reports.
In this duty he made several reports about the bombing campaign against the Romanian oil fields at Ploesti.
From the TeamCAP.Org scribd website SEE HERE:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/45900484/WWII-Ploesti-Romania-Report-I

http://www.scribd.com/doc/45900556/WWII-Ploesti-Romania-Report-II

I have a Hap Arnold letter with handwritten notes in the margin which accompanied this report. It states; "Jack has it right and is as clear as sunshine." Which I think is high praise coming from Arnold.

From the Curry Diaries. Jack learned to fly at Coronado Island in 1915/16. Here is the first half
of his cadet flying entries.
Curry was stationed at North Island Rockwell Field Sept. 1915-May 1916.
Sept 5th Preliminary flight passed Slips rolls pitches I am stomach sick
Sept 7 Wardrobe allowance $37.50. Flight coat and Pantaloon No flight boots issued until graduation.
       18 Arrived San Diego meant Capt Patterson Good Place
       21 Flew with Kilmer Beautiful View of San Diego
       29 Dinner met Katherine Schwartz good sort.
Oct. 4.  Flew 54 min. 2 good landings out of 9. On guard duty tonight.
Oct 7    Flew 50 minutes 3 good landings Thank god I am improving bought Canady' car $250.00
Oct. 9 - bought new suit of clothes and shoes $39.17
Oct. 11 Engine stopped forced to land Taliaferro fell and drowned.
Oct 12 Taliaferro funeral after lecture. Very solemn
       19 Best day yet on guard AM  Scrupper made first flight alone. Me next. total flying time 9hrs 34 min.
       25 Flew good. Solo soon.
       26 First flight alone after 15 min with Brindley (editors note: or Brandley tough to tell)
       27 Spatz gave lecture. Flew 20 minutes alone!
Nov 16. flew with Spatz late 21 minutes. 2 good landings. 3 bad. Spatz lectured for 30 minutes.
"     20 seek to fly Stinson dance at Coronado Hotel.
"     29 Spatz for dinner
Dec 6 Took car to dealer for sale - I want $375.00
Dec. 7 2000ft spiral all right.
Dec. 9 flew both morning and afternoon rough air. Good shape
Dec 14 No flying bad rain. On guard all day.
       17 broke drift wire had to land
        20 Application of Flight lecture very strong
        21 broke connecting rod in #38 from 1500ft got down in good shape.
        24 Fire drill at school dinner with Miss Owens bully party
        25 Mass at 8:15 dinner with Goodmore family sang Christmas Carols.
        29 high wind all day. No flying on guard duty all day.
At this time Jack Curry was 28 and half. He would be 29 and 1 month at the time of his graduation from flight cadet school. His log from this period through the time he was first engaged in 1921 lists a number of young women he dated and met socially. You can see his enthusiasm of flying and purchase of his first car. By the way he named the car "Bug" - other than that I can find no mention of the model or year. He spent much time caring for this car and taking Sunday drives with young ladies.

This concludes the first 3 months of diary entries for JF Curry at flight school.

Mark Hess at Teamcap Library has done some Curry work too. He sent me this note this morning.

"I just created a new Gallery for John F. Curry.  It will have hundreds of Curry's WW1 & WW2 Documents that we have both found in high resolution formats.   Feel free to share this link with anyone." 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/teamcivilairpatrol/sets/72157625850638954/detail/

Cheers,
Mark

Above in the Curry Diaries is a reference to an aviator Walter Tailiaferro's death. Here is the account.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_R._Taliaferro

I think it is a remarkable story of the perils of early military aviation and flight.

Jack Curry and a bunch more Army Air Corps name brands served under Gen. Pershing during the Mexican Punitive Expedition of 1916-17.

1st Aero Squadron Book # 1
http://www.scribd.com/doc/48001403/1st-Aero-Squadron-History-I

1st Aero Squadron Book # 2
http://www.scribd.com/doc/48001673/1st-Aero-Squadron-History-II

Team Cap Posted these today. If you read it - you will find interesting things like Congress Awarded $301,000 for military aviation in 1916. Wow, that won't buy enough gas to get one C-17 to Afghanistan, today.... AND this was the first War for Eakers, Spaatz, Arnold, Mitchell, and of course Curry. Give these time to load. They are worth all history buff's time.

I've had requests to place all the day to day Curry Diary entries. I have provided summaries so far and I think it best to continue with this method. BUT here from 1916 is a few months of Jack Curry's diary. I think these are worth skimming. The reason is that many names you know and many you soon will know have their first taste of battle as comrades in arms in the Mexican Campaign. Notice all the accidents, off airport landings. mechanical troubles, and life in Columbus NM in the first part of the twentieth century.

Curry went from Pilot training San Diego right to Columbus NM - jump off for Mexican Punitive Expedition May 1916

1916 June 18 - 2nd Inf to El Paso, wish I could go. Train for me Columbus NM (He's in ABQ NM at this time. (he's in Columbus am  19th)
                 19. 3 miles south into Mexico - Among 5 buildings Remains of Chapman Plane. Accident remarkable. One blade detached and motor turned in housing
                 20 Wings fetched #70. We get Sloans plane.
                 21 Meet Kilner and Chapman in Carriozal.
                 22 Capt Boyd killed in flight Capt. Morey missing
                 23 Situation tense no rumors here
                 24 11th Cav. came through at lunch. Royce and I flew with them until river.
                 25 Morey safe. Royce and Christie grounded. Me to El Paso train
                 26 Christie Pilot Royce Observer 1:32 124 mi.
                 27 temp 118 140 in sun. No flying Royce sick
                 28 Brown and Brooks back - 2 mules failed in heat. Both shot.
                 29 135 in sun. hot as hell. Morey to El Paso
                 30 Chapman back 3 men from Curtis Factory arrive to build props had head clipped short.
          July   1 Troop trains pass through all day. Mass Inf played ball at 2pm.
                   2 paperwork all day. Trains passing into Mex.
                   3. Pvt. Courter besten in Prize fight. Bloody and unconscious for an hour. Cool tomorrow. Brooks and Rader south patrol.
                   4. Desolate post. Brooks and I pay troops go to Bronco bust in morning. Wilburn and Johnson made a ride
                   5. Mr. Scott of Curtis Factory here all day. #75 cam back smoking and nearly crashed. rain this evening good and cooler
                   6. Dodd and Willis returned on 5Oclock train Rader and I flew 1.5 hrs.
                   7 Left Columbus by truck Capt. RB Harper Command. Arrived Mills Dist 5:30 dusty no water.
                   8 Left Mills Dist at 5:30am bad roads. Oro DeFredorico 4PM.
                   9. La Bayada left at 4am back to Mills. Brooks and Rader flew south 25 mi. in #68
                 10. Flew as passenger with Kilner (or Kilmer I can't tell) 6am. Badly marked map back in 1hour and 10.
                 11. No fly today. Martin and I walked 8 miles on RRtrack. Cool damp all day
                 12. No fly today Martin and I patrol track 10 mi toward El Paso. Head clipped in afternoon
                 13. Kilner and I make 2 flight in #68 bad motor. Landed twice as precaution. ]
                 14. Pistol Practice bought revolver $18.50. Eagle Pass for exam. Field Artillery transfer Rader Brooks missing
                 15. Rader Brooks safe, Field artillery study all day. Kinson back from El Paso
                 16. Mass am. Did little all day
                 17. Kilner flight am Artillaery field guide study rest of day.
                 18. Did not fly. Did laundry and pistol practice.
                 19. One flight with Kilner. Studied all day
                  20. Patrolled tracks all day tiresome as hell.
                  21. flew 59 min. with Gorrell am fine flight. Alt 5500 ft. cooled off. Pistol practice.
                  22. New motor in #65 runs good. All propellers fixed and finally in good shape.
                  23. Mass am Pistol practice with Barnes (or Barmes can't tell)
                  24. All machines ready taxied about field for hours to test.
                  25. 2 instruction flights with Dodd. Gorrell landed in strong cross wind and banged up nose.
                  26 Flew alone in number 65 good bird. Capt. Harper back form below (Mexico)
                  27 Flew no 65 with Willis assemble machine gun afternoon
                  28 Practice with Lewis gun am. Rain tonight
                  29 Flew 65. Sheared water pump shaft. Barnes and I are in #75 for a week or so.
                  30 Heavy rain cool all day Mass am
                  31Got transport to Eagle Pass. Take field artillery test tomorrow.
            Aug. 1Corp. Randle cut hand bad on Propeller. Left on Golden State for Eagle Pass stayed in El Paso
                    2 All day on train. Arrived Eagle Pass 6 pm. Stayed Hotel Eagle. Spent day with John Kennedy and Bains pleasant day
                    3. Eagle Pass Tx. took test nothing but questions and then kicked up targets. Hope to see people I know
                    4 took horsemanship test rode 18 miles. Left Eagle Pass for San Antonio arrive 9Pm made trip with Maloney
                    5 rain all day. Spent afternoon at movie Met Wells for dinner.
                    6. After mass went to Aviation Post. met Capt. and Mrs. Price for dinner. Left San Antonio for Columbus at 8:50pm
                    7. cool and pleasant all day. Menoher and Hoover for dinner El Paso. Stayed Hotel Sheldon
                    8. Left El Paso for Columbus once again much has happened in my absence.
                    9. Foulios Observer Gorrell Pilot fly to Dunbar Colomia 120 mi.
                  10. Flew 20 min #65 this AM.
                  11. Made 2 flight in #65. Brown left for San Diego. I took his car for drive.
                  12. Flew 65 engine missing badly. Kilner and Martin leave for Mineola LI.
                  13 Christie and Royce flew from Colomia Dublan this am in 66 min. Christie ordered to Chicago. Foulois detailed to aviation section as Maj.
                  14 Flew #65 for 40 min. Fly to Oro Federico tomorrow. If Willis back from Colomia Dublan he will come too. If not detailed with GCM with Raymond.
                  15. Flew 371 to Oro Frederico in 1 hr. 50 min. Good trip. Corpl Fredericks as passenger. Splendid flight.
                  16. 2 month in Columbus. Nothing new.
                  17. Getting #67 ready for trip south.
                  18. Flew #67 machine handles well.
                  19. One trip in #67. Crew ready to go south. Butts and Hefferman arrived today.
                  20. All ready to go. Rienberg arrived today. Papers say Funston recommends Expedition go.
                  21. McDonald reported today. Crew left for south today.
                  22. Atkinson observer Curry Pilot. Started for Colomia Dunbar. Radiator cap loose forced land. Rader, Spatz, Brooks here now.
                  23. Met Bob Fletcher. Rader and Brooks head back to Columbus. Heavy rain shuts us down.
                  24. Rain storm damaged machines slightly. Late start checking airplanes. Gen. to camp for inspection.
                  25. Made reconnaissance trip to to Galena. fine country to fly over. Borren and Spatz flew to El Valle and returned.
                  26. Short trip around valley. PM ordered to Columbus to be supply officer go by truck. Change orders to fly PM.
                  27. With Atkinson as Observer I fly to Columbus 1hr 20 min to be new supply officer
                  28. Sick today bad diarrhea - Hufferman observer and Atkinson Pilot fly south again.
                  29. still under the weather today. Did not go out.
                  30 starting to check property today. Bed roll and locker arrive from Dublan today.
                  31 Nothing new
           Sept. 1 Brooks back from Coronado. Checked property all day.

For 2 and half years I have been writing about Jack Curry on this thread.

I have come to a conclusion about his service. CAP was in my opinion one of his minor accomplishments.

His major service to the country and the greatest effort of WW2 was 2nd Air Force, Western Technical and Training Command, and 4th District Technical and Training Command. From a stone cold start of 3500 airmen total in the later thirties - Western Technical and Training Command trained around 1.5 million airmen, almost all the bomber crews, built 174 air bases and auxiliary fields, and made a significant difference in WW2. Here's one of his bases - The Fresno Basic Training Depot which came online in 1943.
Give it time to load. See here:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/48562889/WWII-General-Curry-Base-Review

You can read about just one of the 174 facilities JF Curry built during his command. (by the way he also expanded 27 other major air bases and facilities) In total under his command this remarkable achievement remains a fabulous accomplishment to this day.
Source:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/28303836/1907-47-Army-Air-Fields-History

Ed,

Thank You so much for providing the links above.  The base in Fresno was called Hammer Field which is where my father trained prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor.  The photos in the link are great!

Jill

Jill;
Wonderful - here is more - both different and in depth - version.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/48609972/WWII-Fresno-Army-Training-Center

If one can truly connect the distant past with the clear present - It is a fine day.

Thank Mark Hess at TeamCap for this version.

Excellent.  Has been shared with two WW2 Vets as of today who were stationed at Hammer Field.  Thank you so much.  Thanks to you Mark.

Jill

I went to see a relative of Jack Curry yesterday. Kim Callahan is John F. Curry's - sister's - granddaughter. Making Kim a Grand niece.

Kim met Jack and stayed with him several times. She knew him as an old (or older) man in the 1950s through 60s and until Jack passed away in '73. Besides the fact she is a lovely woman, the reason I like Kim is she has a sparkly crack of enthusiasm in her voice. It is not a glow. It is not golden. It is the sparkle of a much younger woman. But this is not a trivial sparkle is a a SPARKY sparkle. It is enthusiasm with intention attached. It combines a storyteller's lilt with a football coaches hand clapping exhortation. She is happy to hear about her Uncle Jack. Kim Callahan's voice is warm and from the heart. It goes right down to the soul and you can tell it in every word. There aren't false notes, unannounced agendas, or superfluous blathering in her voice. It has personal integrity under the sparkle. It is voice full of Curry family traits.

To that point - one of her grand sons had a bit of an ongoing and concerning health issues. Most of us would have let our distraction show. Kim did not. While we talked about her great uncle - she was an active listener. These things are not small. These things are not small at all...

Being that Shelia Curry Dekalb has much the same voice and manners, I think that given the voice and manners of these women - are a pure reflection and direct "channelers" of Jack Curry. I suppose that with his 10,000 entries in his diaries (which I have) and imagining the male version of the two exemplars (Kim and Shelia) I think I am pretty close to the aural history of the man. I suppose this is a very Irish thing. I am Irish. Jack was Irish. These two women are Irish. Pegging Jack's voice is important information as an aid to tell his story. I am lucky to have these two talking
touch stones. I am thankful and appreciative.

It has occurred to me that some of the findings among the Curry thread need some explanation. Above you will find any number of
characters who came and went in the Curry Diary entries. Here's some references. First of all Mark Hess and TeamCap now has about 210 exhibits posted in
the Curry Collection. 

You'll need to rummage around a bit to find them all but there are now 208 exhibits in the Curry Collection, see here: (still under construction)
http://exhibits.teamcap.org/index.php?cat=48

If you look at the Mexico Expedition/Columbus New Mexico diary entries above - here's a list of the characters. Once you see the passing mentions of these
various names - who would later in life have great significance - then the size of Jack Curry looms larger. Best to printout the Columbus
NM diary entries while you click on each of these biographies.
Maj. General Ralph Royce: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Royce
Gen. Benjamin Foulois.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Foulois
Reed Landis - Civil Defense Authority WW2 in WW1 he was a colleague of Jack. Reed Landis: http://www.firstworldwar.com/bio/landis.htm
Capt. Edgar Gorrell: http://earlyaviators.com/egorrell.htm
Capt. Arthur Raymond Brooks: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Raymond_Brooks
Capt. Carl Spaatz: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Andrew_Spaatz (known as Spatz in WW1)
Capt. Walter G. Kilner: http://www.earlyaviators.com/ekilner1.htm
Col. Frank Lahm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_P._Lahm
Capt. Herbert Dargue: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Dargue


Here's a great narrative of the Days at Columbus told from the point of view of several men mentioned in JF Curry's Diaries.
http://www.historynet.com/mexican-expedition-1st-aero-squadron-in-pursuit-of-pancho-villa.htm

I spent part of the last few days with Sheila Curry DeKalb in southern California. I showed her the Curry Diaries and left one of the 5 that I have with her to go through in depth.

These diaries with nearly daily mentions of his family were never shared with the family. Sheila never saw them, not ever.

To these diaries John Curry committed his private thoughts of loss and worry. He wrote of trouble, death, pain, joy, and significant moments. For instance: The nearly 100 day fight for Shelia's life (she had a terrible ear infection in the winter of 1930 that nearly cost her life) was of particular interest to Sheila. Also her mother and father's first dates and 10 months as acouple then Jack Curry's proposal of marriage are all of certain interest to Shelia.

Jack Curry must've believed that these dates and his thoughts were important to him. He kept these diaries and entries to himself. I have read most of the entries by now but cataloged only about 40% so far. In these diaries we see a man in full. A life well lived. Growth. Redemption. Worry. Hope. Trust. Duty. We see an arch of a man's life, for instance.

Jack Curry liked the ladies as a young fighter pilot with an upwardly mobile career he talks about the parties and women that he met along the way.

Jack Curry was a committed family man. After he was married Jack had a nearly daily entry on what his two girls or wife did on any particular day.

His buddies and acquaintances : Olds, Fairchild, Spaatz, Eakers, Eglin, Royce, Brown, Mitchell, Chennault, Lindbergh, Orville Wright, LaGuardia, even FDR come and go. They go to dinner or cocktails. They stay at his house. They bring news. They tell stories and have a social life. What is constant is his family. The important thing particularly at the end of the day, which seems to be when his diaries are updated, is a man, his thoughts, and his family. Read enough of Jack Curry's entries and you will come to the same feeling that I have. He was noble, fair, well spoken, committed, conscientious, consistent, steadfast, hearty, and most of all a family man.

I've been off Curry Duty for a few months as I catch up on other things. Today that is changed.

SEE HERE: http://www.scribd.com/doc/56278295/1st-Aero-Squadron-Personal-Account
This is a personal account of the Mexican Punitive Expedition of Black Jack Pershing and the men of 1st Aero Squadron. Carl Spaatz (Spatz) Jack Curry and many other young brave pioneering airmen were making up aerial bombing, gunnery, and combat from scratch. They were in rickety Jennys in hostile territory. This account indicates the near perfectly preposterous circumstances of bad planes, hot weather, tough terrain, little logistical support, and no real training - that these men were working under.

Study the feats of this daring 1st Aero Sqdrn. band more - the higher your estimation of their bravery will grow.

From the Library of Mark Hess, my thanks to him.

I went to see Sheila Curry DeKalb in early Oct. Sheila is the daughter of Jack and Eleanor Curry. I invited Charley Wiest but unfortunately he was a National Staff College. I found Mrs. DeKalb as sweet and as dear as always. She asked me to print off this thread, I have. It makes a very thick volume. Over 300 pages. It is over 35,000 words on the good General, his beloved Army/Air Force and of course CAP. (to compare a novel is usually 60-75,000 words)

As a narrative character General Curry takes us through the wobbly dawn of aviation into the establishment of American Air Power and the nuclear age as the Air Force becomes the most dominant force this side of God. It has been a labor of love. It is a labor in which the love has been returned measure for measure from Sheila and her family, and you too. To Sheila, I am sending off the printed book this weekend.

We will meet at the Good General's and Mrs. Curry's grave for the 5th annual Curry Salute and Awards Ceremony at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver. We will conduct this ceremony on Sat. Dec. 3rd at 10:30am. Every member of CAP is invited.

I will leave my work on this fine man for awhile. I am a Deputy Commander of my Squadron, spend way more time training
others in ES than I have ever planned, have taken over the Wings Airborne Photography Training Program, double as PAO/Historian and training officer for my group/squadron/and Wing, and need to make a hole in my schedule to see my Grandkids and wife on occasion.

I appreciate everyone who has contributed to this thread. I am gratified for everyone who has read this thread and prompted deeper into the biography, times, and deeds of Jack Curry. My appreciation is deep and long for all.

I lay down my pen to attend to other matters. I thank you all.

 The Annual Maj. Gen. John F. Curry Salute and Awards Ceremony
Date: Saturday Dec 3rd, 2011
Time:  Sign in at 0:900 hrs and Ceremony Begins - 09:30 hrs (please be on time)
Place: Ft. Logan National Cemetery - Shelter A - see directions below   
ALL MEMBERS OF THE PATROL FROM ANY UNIT ARE MOST WELCOME

CURRY CADET PRESENTATION AND MAJ. GEN. CURRY GRAVESIDE TRIBUTE: CAPs First National Commander, Maj. Gen. John F. Curry is buried at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver. CAP was organized on Dec. 1, 1941 . The CO/WG and will conduct a Graveside Ceremony in honor of CAP Day. This ceremony will be held DECEMBER 3rd, 2011 at Ft. Logan National Cemetery. SEE DIRECTIONS BELOW.

   DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: 09:30 AM. on Saturday Dec. 3rd 2011, CO/WG will conduct a ceremony at the graveside of Maj. Gen. John Curry. This will be a 90 minute  ceremony consisting of presentation of honored guests (and other special invitees TBA), Gen. Curry's biography, and a gravesite salute by cadets. We will dismiss no later than 11:00 hrs. (Sign-in at 0900 hrs)
   LOCATION: Ft. Logan National Cemetery. Directions here: http://www.cem.va.gov/CEM/cems/nchp/ftlogan.asp (http://www.cem.va.gov/CEM/cems/nchp/ftlogan.asp)
Follow Interstate 25 to exit, Hampden Avenue (Highway 285). Turn (west) heading toward the mountains to Sheridan Boulevard. Turn left (south) on Sheridan Boulevard.
Cemetery is located two blocks south of Hampden Avenue on the left (east) side of Sheridan Boulevard. At the main West Entrance we will have officer or cadet with instructions to Pavilion A. Parking is limited. Please be on time. We don't want to leave people in the weather any longer than is necessary. We will meet at Shelter - A.       
    UNIFORM: Senior Members: USAF Style Dress or appropriate corporate equivalent (No polos). Cadets: BDU/Utility Uniform/or USAF Style Dress and dress appropriately for the weather. All Uniforms, shoes and boots should be clean and presentable. Plan on being in the weather for up to 90 minutes. Plan on cold and possible snowy conditions. Boots, over-shoes, overcoats, mufflers, gloves - acceptable. Squadron Officers will conduct a uniform inspection of their own cadets before the ceremony. This inspection should be informal and one-on-one. The first year we had 60 degrees and sunny. Last year - was a fresh 6 inch layer snow and 36 degrees. This years weather, of course, is to be determined. We'll find out together.

       If you'd like to view a You Tube Video of a Curry Salute ceremony, click here:
                      Civil Air Patrol cadets participate in unique promotion ceremony (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtLVB618U98#)
         

The Annual Maj. Gen. John F. Curry Salute Beats the Weather into Reverence -

On Saturday Dec. 3rd at Ft. Logan National Cemetery the Colorado Wing gathered among snow drifts over a foot high, to get warm.

In a celebration of the Civil Air Patrol's 70th anniversary - 38 CAP members, cadets, and assorted parents came to pay tribute to our past and salute our future.

Our past is located at the grave of Maj. General John F. Curry. Our future is the 15 cadet airmen who received their Curry Award in this place of eternal rest and undying homage.

Capt. David King provided the invocation. C/2nd Lt. Patrick Neff piped "Amazing Grace." Wing Heritage Officer Capt. Ed O'Brien provided a biographic synopsis of the good General. And, members: M/Sgt. Cynthia Smith, E.J. Bennett, and Mary Cast - performed honors and tributes.

Maj. Gen. Curry was the Civil Air Patrol's first National Commander. He was known to his friends as "Jack." AND - Jack built 214 Air Corps bases, auxiliary fields, bombing ranges, and depots in WW2. He also trained over 1 million men for combat in all theaters of war. Then as a retired General - Jack Curry, beginning in 1952, helped bring the Air Force Academy to Colorado in 1958. He was more than CAP's first National Commander, he was an indispensable pivot point of military planning, building, execution, and history from 1916 through 1946. His accomplishments are scattered throughout our history and both our history and his accomplishments were honored on this day. 

And so, these new Curry cadets were introduced by name - to the General and Mrs. Curry. Salutes were presented at graveside - with parents looking on and friends in silent attention. The Cadet's salutes were accepted in the name of the Patrol and the Curry Family by Col. Gary Tobey, Lt. Col. Gary Falls, and Maj. Thomas Scheffel.

As Maj. Scheffel stated; "... this is a thing that won't mean as much today to these cadets as it will when they are our age. Then it will mean so very much to them. So very much!"

Though the temperature was in the low twenties and the snow was falling at over an inch per hour -  Even after the ceremony was dismissed, all participants lingered at the grave site to bask in a good deed done, take a few commemorative pictures, and appreciate a heartfelt mission into memory accomplished.

Capt. O'Brien concluded: "the snowy conditions brought an intimacy to the ceremony this year. This was our warmest Curry Salute and Awards Ceremony, no matter the weather."

After the ceremony was done - Col. Tobey called the last remaining first generation relative of General Curry, daughter Sheila. She is in delicate health at age 86 and resides in Southern California. Col. Tobey reports; "Sheila was most pleased and thanks all of us in the Colorado Wing for remembering her Dad and mother."

How can any of us forget Gen. Curry? Why would any of us forget his 4th Annual Salute and Awards Ceremony? After-all, it was so warm.

Reporter: Capt. Ed O'Brien -Colorado Wing Deputy Historian and Black Sheep Squadron PAO

For those interested in Maj Gen Curry,

A photo of ? Captain Curry with six of the Round-the-World-Flight crewmen has been discovered in Dayton, OH.  They are pictured in front of the Douglas World Cruiser Chicago. 

The photo location is not stated, but could be Dayton, where Curry was Chief AS Engr. Div. from 1924-1927.  The year is assumed 1924, the year of the flight.  DWC Chicago was housed at Dayton until transfer to the Smithsonian in September 1925.  Curry's connection to the Round-the-World-Flight is not known.

Quote from: Rod Stadum on November 11, 2012, 03:23:30 AM
For those interested in Maj Gen Curry,

A photo of ? Captain Curry with six of the Round-the-World-Flight crewmen has been discovered in Dayton, OH.  They are pictured in front of the Douglas World Cruiser Chicago. 

The photo location is not stated, but could be Dayton, where Curry was Chief AS Engr. Div. from 1924-1927.  The year is assumed 1924, the year of the flight.  DWC Chicago was housed at Dayton until transfer to the Smithsonian in September 1925.  Curry's connection to the Round-the-World-Flight is not known.

It appears he was welcoming the flight.

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675071970_Douglas-World-Cruiser_John-F-Curry_Mayor-F-B-Hale_Jack-Harding (http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675071970_Douglas-World-Cruiser_John-F-Curry_Mayor-F-B-Hale_Jack-Harding)

"Douglas World Cruisers aviators are greeted by army officers, government dignitaries and friends in Dayton, Ohio."

US Army Air Service Douglas World Cruisers (DWC) in the United States during their first flight around the world. In Dayton, Ohio: A formation of three world cruisers. A formation of six aircraft. American aviator Lieutenant Jack Harding seated on the shoulders of a man being welcomed by personnel. Lt. Erik H. Nelson's dog wags a friendly welcome. Greetings are given to Lt. Nelson as he is handed a bouquet of flowers and is greeted by his dog. Mayor F.B. Hale presents a traveling bag to each flier. A flier as he accepts a bag. Two other pilots holding bags. US Army Major John F. Curry as he welcomes all the pilots and crew members. Homecoming for Lt. Nelson, Lt. Leigh Wade and Lt. Harding. A crowd along a ramp. A sign above a building: 'This Field is Small'. A world cruiser taxiing at McCook Field.   

This historic stock footage available in HD and SD video. View pricing in lower left of video player.

(http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/4977/currywdwc.jpg)

  The 5th Annual Maj. Gen. John F. Curry Salute and Awards  Ceremony
  Date: Saturday Dec 1st, 2012
  Time:  (please be on time) Sign in at 0:930 hrs and Ceremony Begins - 10:00 hrs
  Place: Ft. Logan National Cemetery - Shelter A - see directions below
CURRY CADET PRESENTATION AND MAJ. GEN. CURRY GRAVESIDE TRIBUTE: CAPs First National Commander, Maj. Gen. John F. Curry is buried at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver. CAP was first organized Dec. 1, 1941 . The CO/WG and Group One will conduct a Graveside Ceremony in honor of CAP Day and our first National Commander. This ceremony will be held on DECEMBER 1st 2012 at Ft. Logan. SEE DIRECTIONS BELOW.

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: At 10:00 hrs. on Dec. 1st 2012, CO/WG and Group One will conduct a ceremony at the graveside of Maj. Gen. John Curry. This will be a one hour ceremony consisting of presentation of honored guests, Gen. Curry's biography, and a gravesite salute by cadets. We will dismiss no later than 11:30 hrs.
                   
LOCATION: Ft. Logan National Cemetery. Directions here: http://www.cem.va.gov/CEM/cems/nchp/ftlogan.asp (http://www.cem.va.gov/CEM/cems/nchp/ftlogan.asp) Follow Interstate 25 to exit, Hampden Avenue (Highway 285). Turn (west) heading toward the mountains to Sheridan Boulevard. Turn left (south) on Sheridan Boulevard. Cemetery is located two blocks south of Hampden Avenue on the left (east) side of Sheridan Boulevard. At the main West Entrance we will have officer or cadet with instructions to Pavilion A. Parking is limited. Please be on time. We don't want to leave people in the weather any longer than is necessary. We will meet at Shelter - A.             
UNIFORM: Senior Members: Air Force Dress or appropriate corporate equivalent. Cadets: BDU/Utility Uniform and dress appropriately for the weather. All Uniforms and boots should be clean and presentable. Plan on being in the weather for up to 90 minutes. Plan on cold and possible snowy conditions. Boots, over-shoes, overcoats, mufflers, gloves - acceptable. Squadron Officers will conduct a uniform inspection of their own cadets before the ceremony. This inspection should be informal and one-on-one. This inspection is to ensure CAP compliance regarding picture posts. Please inform project officer of 39-1 non-compliant members before ceremony.
ALWAYS DRESS FOR THE WEATHER. INCLEMENT WEATHER AND PRECIPITATION MEANS AN UNANNOUNCED CHANGE TO BOOTS, BDUS, COATS, HATS, GLOVES, and SCARVES are ACCEPTABLE. This is a rain, snow, or shine event!
Signed:
CAP CO. Wing Commander Col. Earl Sherwin
Group One Commander Lt. Col. William Aceves
PLEASE RESPOND TO: CAP Project Officer - Maj. Ed O'Brien
303-871-9005/ email: ed@e-obrien.com