John F. Curry
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Major General 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 Congressional charter, congressionally chartered, federally supported Nonprofit corporation, non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliaries, auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF). CA ...
, 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 ri ...
.


Biography

Curry, a 1908
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graduate, 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 an American army general, educator, and founder of the Pershing Rifles. He served as the commander of the American Expeditionary For ...
's expedition to Mexico. Later, during
World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
, 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 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. Curry served as the fourth and final commander of
Air Force Life Cycle Management Center The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), headquartered at Wright-Patterson AFB, is one of six centers reporting to the Air Force Materiel Command.AIR FORCE LIFE CYCLE MANAGEMENT CENTER (AFLCMC) Posted 8/3/2012 Printable Fact Sheet Le ...
predecessor, the Army Air Service Engineering Division at McCook Field in Dayton, Ohio, from 1924 to 1927.AFLCMC Heritage Hangar v4 #27, 1-7 Jul 2024 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
Civil Air Patrol Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a Congressional charter, congressionally chartered, federally supported Nonprofit corporation, non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliaries, auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF). CA ...
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 Private aviation is the part of civil aviation that does not include flying for hire, which is termed commercial aviation. In 2022, private air travel was noted as increasing. Definition Private aviation and commercial aviation are not rigoro ...
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 (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, 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
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. 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.


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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 Knights of the Legion of Honour 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