John F. Curry
Encyclopedia
Major General
John Francis Curry 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
.
'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. He destroyed a German observation balloon, but was shot down himself by anti-aircraft fire. He escaped capture.
In late 1941, with the air attack on Pearl Harbor
, 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, Civil Air Patrol was formed as a part of the United States' home defense needs. Curry, an Army Air Corps officer, was selected as the first national commander. When selected to head Civil Air Patrol, 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, Civil Air Patrol conducted patrols over coastal waters in search of enemy submarines and naval activity. As Civil Air Patrol 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 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 Civil Air Patrol.
Originally, Civil Air Patrol was given the opportunity to prove itself for a 90-day test period. However, due to many successes, such as sinking a German U-boat, Civil Air Patrol remained throughout the war. After the end of World War II
, 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 14,000 feet, 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.
Selected to represent the first Civil Air Patrol cadet achievement, Curry's name represents the conviction of a National Commander whose vision and direction embodies the spirit of flying volunteers. The next CAP National Commander was General
Carl A. Spaatz, whose name graces the capstone award of the CAP cadet program and whose recipients—less than half of one percent of the cadet corps—are promoted to cadet colonel.
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
John Francis Curry was the first national commander of the Civil Air Patrol
Civil Air Patrol
Civil Air Patrol is a Congressionally chartered, federally supported, non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force . CAP is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds, lifestyles, and...
, the United States Air Force Auxiliary. He was also a Major General in the United States Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
.
Biography
Curry had learned to fly in time to accompany General John J. PershingJohn J. Pershing
John Joseph "Black Jack" Pershing, GCB , was a general officer in the United States Army who led the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I...
's expedition to Mexico. Later, during 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 served as Chief of Staff of the Air Service of the Second Army in France, under Col. Frank P. Lahm. He destroyed a German observation balloon, but was shot down himself by anti-aircraft fire. He escaped capture.
In late 1941, with the air attack on Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
, 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, Civil Air Patrol was formed as a part of the United States' home defense needs. Curry, an Army Air Corps officer, was selected as the first national commander. When selected to head Civil Air Patrol, 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, Civil Air Patrol conducted patrols over coastal waters in search of enemy submarines and naval activity. As Civil Air Patrol 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 Civil Air Patrol was to keep aviation
Aviation
Aviation is the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation is derived from avis, the Latin word for bird.-History:...
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
Private aviation
Private aviation is the part of civil aviation that does not include flying for hire. In most countries, private flights are always general aviation flights, but the opposite is not true: many general aviation flights are commercial in that the pilot is hired and paid...
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 Civil Air Patrol.
Originally, Civil Air Patrol was given the opportunity to prove itself for a 90-day test period. However, due to many successes, such as sinking a German U-boat, Civil Air Patrol remained throughout the war. After the end of 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...
, 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
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
. Where more than 50 peaks have an elevation of greater than 14,000 feet, 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.
Selected to represent the first Civil Air Patrol cadet achievement, Curry's name represents the conviction of a National Commander whose vision and direction embodies the spirit of flying volunteers. The next CAP National Commander was General
General (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, general is a four-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-10. General ranks above lieutenant general and below General of the Army or General of the Air Force; the Marine Corps does not have an...
Carl A. Spaatz, whose name graces the capstone award of the CAP cadet program and whose recipients—less than half of one percent of the cadet corps—are promoted to cadet colonel.
See also
General J. F. Curry AchievementSources
- John F. Curry at Generals.dk
- USAF Biographies