John F. Curry
| John F. Curry | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Birth name | John Francis Curry |
| Born |
April 22, 1886 New York City, New York |
| Died | March 4, 1973 (aged 86) Colorado |
| Place of burial | Fort Logan National Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army Air Forces
|
| Years of service | 1904–1945 |
| Rank |
 Major General
|
| Service number | 0-2353 |
| Commands held | 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/wars |
Pancho Villa Expedition World War I World War II |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Legion of Honor Ordre de l'Étoile Noire |
| Other work | 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.
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.
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.
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