Major General Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of a ...

John Francis Curry (April 22, 1886 – March 4, 1973) was the first national commander of the

Civil Air Patrol Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a congressionally chartered, federally supported non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF). CAP is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded mem ...

, the United States Air Force Auxiliary. He was also a major general in the

United States Army Air Corps The United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) was the aerial warfare service component of the United States Army between 1926 and 1941. After World War I, as early aviation became an increasingly important part of modern warfare, a philosophical r ...

Biography

Curry had learned to fly in time to accompany General

John J. Pershing General of the Armies John Joseph Pershing (September 13, 1860 – July 15, 1948), nicknamed "Black Jack", was a senior United States Army officer. He served most famously as the commander of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) on the Wes ...

's expedition to Mexico. Later, during

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

, he served as Chief of Staff of the Air Service of the Second Army in France, under Col.

Frank P. Lahm Frank Purdy Lahm (November 17, 1877 – July 7, 1963) was an American aviation pioneer, the "nation's first military aviator", and a general officer in the United States Army Air Corps and Army Air Forces. Lahm developed an interest in flying f ...

. On October 26, 1918, while serving as an observer in a

135th Aero Squadron The 135th Aero Squadron was a United States Army Air Service unit that fought on the Western Front during World War I. The squadron was assigned as a Corps Observation Squadron, performing short-range, tactical reconnaissance over the IV Corp ...

airplane, the DH-4 was shot down by the 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 The 168th Aero Squadron was a United States Army Air Service unit that fought on the Western Front during World War I. The squadron was assigned as a Corps Observation Squadron, performing short-range, tactical reconnaissance over the IV Corps ...

-destroyed a German observation balloon. In late 1941, civilian pilots were interested in assisting 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 such assistance. Despite these misgivings, the

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 s 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 records were the main criteria for selection. 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 complete 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 allowed to prove itself for a 90-day test period. Success in deterring German U-boat attacks on merchant's 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 World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

, the Civil Air Patrol continued to serve the nation in the 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 rugged Colorado

Rocky Mountains The Rocky Mountains, also known as the Rockies, are a major mountain range and the largest mountain system in North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch in straight-line distance from the northernmost part of western Canada, to New Mexico in ...

. Where more than 50 peaks have an elevation of greater than , 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

References

Sources

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John F. Curry
at Generals.dk * {{DEFAULTSORT:Curry, John F. 1886 births 1973 deaths Air Corps Tactical School alumni United States Army personnel of World War I Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army) Recipients of the Legion of Merit Chevaliers of the Légion d'honneur Members of the Early Birds of Aviation National Commanders of the Civil Air Patrol United States Army generals United States Army Air Forces generals Burials at Fort Logan National Cemetery United States Army Air Forces generals of World War II