Major General Edward Peck Curtis began his career as a lieutenant in World War I

World War I

World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

. His six aerial victories made him a flying ace

Flying ace

A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...

.

Born in Rochester, New York

Rochester, New York

Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...

, Edward Peck Curtis was a graduate of St. Georges School, Newport, Rhode Island. He attended Williams College

Williams College

Williams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...

, where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Society

Kappa Alpha Society

The Kappa Alpha Society , founded in 1825, was the progenitor of the modern fraternity system in North America. It was the first of the fraternities which would eventually become known as the Union Triad...

, before dropping out to join the American Field Service with the French Army in 1917. He then served as a Major in the 95th Aero Squadron after the United States entered the war .

Edward Curtis served with the U. S. State Department in Russia after the World War I

World War I

World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

. He then became an employee of Eastman Kodak

Eastman Kodak

Eastman Kodak Company is a multinational imaging and photographic equipment, materials and services company headquarted in Rochester, New York, United States. It was founded by George Eastman in 1892....

 Company, where he rose to become director, general manager of the international division and vice president. He retired from Kodak in 1962 after 42 years of service and remained as a Kodak board member until 1969.

In World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

 he served as a Major General and Chief of Staff, U. S. Strategic Air Force in Europe.
In 1943 he received the French Legion of Honor and the United States Legion of Merit for his part in the war in Africa.
In 1956-1957, he served as Special Assistant to the U. S. President for Aviation Facilities Planning and was instrumental in planning for the Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Aviation Administration

The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...

 and the Federal Aviation Act of 1958

Federal Aviation Act of 1958

The Federal Aviation Act of 1958 was an act of the United States Congress, , that created the Federal Aviation Agency and abolished its predecessor, the Civil Aeronautics Administration...

.

See also

• List of World War I aces credited with 6 victories