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词条 John F. Curry
释义

  1. Biography

  2. Decorations

  3. See also

  4. References

  5. Sources

{{Other people|John Curry}}{{Infobox military person
|birth_name=John Francis Curry
|birth_date={{birth date|1886|04|22}}
|death_date= {{death date and age|1973|03|04|1886|04|22}}
|placeofburial_label=Place of burial
|placeofburial=Fort Logan National Cemetery
|image=John F. Curry.jpg
|caption=
|nickname=
|birth_place=New York City, New York
|death_place=Colorado
|allegiance={{flag|United States of America}}
|branch= United States Army Air Forces
|serviceyears=1904–1945
|rank= Major General
|servicenumber= 0-2353
|unit=
|commands=Ellington Field Bombing School, Commandant, Air Corps Tactical School, Maxwell Field, Al, Commanding Officer of Hamilton Field, Ca, Commanding General, Northwest Air District and Second Air Force, Spokane, Wash
|battles=Pancho Villa Expedition
World War I
World War II
|awards=Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Legion of Honor
Ordre de l'Étoile Noire
|relations=
|laterwork= National Commander, Civil Air Patrol
}}

Major General John Francis Curry (April 22, 1886 – March 4, 1973) was the first national commander of the Civil Air Patrol, the United States Air Force Auxiliary. He was also a major general in the United States Army Air Corps.

Biography

Curry had learned to fly in time to accompany General John J. Pershing's expedition to Mexico. Later, during World War I, he served as Chief of Staff of the Air Service of the Second Army in France, under Col. Frank P. Lahm. On October 26, 1918 while serving as an observer in a 135th Aero Squadron airplane, the DH-4 was shot down by anti-aircraft fire; he and his pilot escaped capture. On November 3, 1918 while still serving as an observer, his plane-along with an aircraft of the 168th Aero Squadron-destroyed a German observation balloon.[1]

In late 1941, 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. Despite these misgivings, the Civil Air Patrol was formed as a part of the United States' home defense needs. Curry, an Army Air Corps officer, was selected as its first national commander. As such, he was the nation's only acting general in command of a civilian army. He served in this capacity from December 1941 to March 1942.

Founded as a volunteer organization, the Civil Air Patrol conducted patrols over coastal waters in search of enemy submarines and naval activity. As it was not 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 the Civil Air Patrol was to keep aviation from being put aside entirely during the war. As Gen. Curry stated, "Without such a plan [as Civil Air Patrol], there might be no private aviation for the duration of the war; with such a plan, there is a chance that private flying may continue and develop." Under Curry's guidance, wings were formed in every state. He helped 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 main criteria for selection. In Curry's words, "There must be no doubt in the minds of out 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." Although he only served a few months as national commander, Gen. Curry's organizational skills were influential in determining the future growth of the Civil Air Patrol.

Originally, the Civil Air Patrol was given the opportunity to prove itself for a 90-day test period. Success in deterring German U-boat attacks on merchant vessels encouraged the USAAF and USN to support the Civil Air Patrol's coastal patrol mission, among others. After the end of World War II, the Civil Air Patrol 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 Rocky Mountains. Where more than 50 peaks have an elevation of greater than {{convert|14000|ft|m}}, 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 Civil Air Patrol personnel.

The first Civil Air Patrol cadet achievement, the General J. F. Curry Achievement, is named in his honor.

Decorations

{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=COMMAND PILOT WINGS.png|width=256|alt=}}
{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}} {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}
number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Mexican Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}number=0|type=oak|ribbon=World War I Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=American Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}
number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Legion Honneur Chevalier ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Ordre de l'Etoile Noire Officier ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}
USAF Command Pilot wings
1st RowArmy Distinguished Service MedalLegion of Merit
2nd RowMexican Service MedalWorld War I Victory MedalAmerican Defense Service MedalAmerican Campaign Medal
3rd RowAsiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one service starWorld War II Victory MedalChevalier of the Legion of Honor (France)Officer of the Ordre de l'Étoile Noire (France)

See also

{{Portal|United States Air Force}}

References

1. ^[https://books.google.com/books?id=C9MKOoPgDZAC&pg=PA105&dq=John+F+Curry+in+the+World+War&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiAqfW9h8jKAhXpsIMKHfCKD-8Q6AEIQTAD#v=onepage&q=John%20F%20Curry%20in%20the%20World%20War&f=false The U.S. Air Service in World War I, Volume IV: Postwar Review .pp.105-106]

Sources

  • {{cite book |title=Leadership: 2000 and Beyond |publisher=Civil Air Patrol |edition=Second |volume=I |date=June 2004}}
  • John F. Curry at Generals.dk
  • {{webarchive |date=2012-07-18 |url=https://archive.is/20120718220714/http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=10216 |title=USAF Biographies}}
{{authority control}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Curry, John F.}}

14 : 1886 births|1973 deaths|Air Corps Tactical School alumni|American military personnel of World War I|American military personnel of World War II|Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (United States)|Recipients of the Legion of Merit|Chevaliers of the Légion d'honneur|Recipients of the Order of the Black Star|Members of the Early Birds of Aviation|National Commanders of the Civil Air Patrol|United States Army generals|United States Army Air Forces generals|United States Army Air Service pilots of World War I

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