Rediscovering Maj. Gen. John F. Curry

[BillB]

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

[Smithsonia]

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.

[Smithsonia]

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

[Gunner C]

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

[Smithsonia]

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.

[Smithsonia]

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

[High Speed Low Drag]

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

[Smithsonia]

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.

[Smithsonia]

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.

[Leading_Edge]

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

[Smithsonia]

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."

[Smithsonia]

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.

[Gunner C]

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

[SarDragon]

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

[Smithsonia]

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.

[Smithsonia]

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.

[Gunner C]

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

[Cecil DP]

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.

[Gunner C]

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. 

[BillB]

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