David
Ross Curry, born 12 April 1926, graduated from Butler County High
School in June of 1943 at the age of 17. According to his high
school annual ..popular, student director of A Capella Choir,
Hi-Y, part in "Royal Family", lettered in music, was part of the
band, Magnet Staff, likes flashy ties, favorite subject English,
would like to be a movie star …
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Cpl
David Ross Curry
Photo Courtesy of Richard Curry, cousin
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In
April of 1943 David enlisted in the Air Corps under the "buddy
system". By doing this he and his cousin, Richard G. Curry (TG,
P-19) who had enlisted a few weeks before would be assigned to
the same military bases throughout their active duty.
In
August 43 being as he was only 17 at the time of graduation, he
would have to wait until his 18th birthday to report for active
duty. Once gaining his parents approval, he went to California
to join his cousin Richard, who was working on a metal working
lathe at the Navy Yard. They not only shared a cottage, but also
worked in the same building. David was assigned to operated a
radial drill press. They were together once again.
In
February 1944 David and Richard returned home to spend some additional
time with their family and friends before shipping out.
David's
parents (as well as Richard's) saw them off at the Pennsylvania
Rail Road Station in Pittsburgh. David's mother told him never
to allow himself to be captured by the Japanese. They were known
at the time to beat and torture American prisoners unmercifully.
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12
April 1945
Lincoln, Nebraska
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David
(L) and Richard Curry celebrating their 19th Birthdays.
This is the last photo taken of David
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May
5, 1944 he left Pittsburgh and arrived at Camp Atturburry, Maryland.
Curry was given a very rigid and thorough physical examinations
and about 20 inoculations during his week there. From there they
were sent to Keelser Field, Mississippi by train for "Basic Training".
After
3 months of rugged and physical training David was sent to Ft
Myers, Florida for "Airplane Gunnery School" training, flying
in B-24 Bombers. Six weeks later reporting to Lincoln, Nebraska
for permanent assignment to Captain Kobler's crew.
With
Curry arriving at Guam on 7 May his first mission was 26 May 1945.
An
excerpt from Richard Curry's diary states:
May 25, 1945 (Richard went with David to his plane to see him
off, wish him good luck and return safely) "I was a gasp when
he said, "This will be the last time I see you. I know that I
will not be returning. I want to thank you for all that you have
done for me and wish that I could be more like you". Richard answered
him saying, "Don't worry too much. I just flew my first mission
and I returned "O.K." Richard tried to further reassure his cousin
that everything would be all right, but he could see he wasn't
getting through to him.
David's
premonition came true.
David
Ross Curry and other members of his crew were buried on 23 March
1950, Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St Louis, MO. in Sec
78 Grave 78 0 978-980. |