The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Air Corps), [then Captain] Robert Charles Curtis (ASN: 0-424716), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 2d Fighter Squadron, 52d Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 8 July 1944, in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. Major Curtis, as Commanding Officer of a squadron of P-51 type aircraft, was leading his squadron on a bomber escort mission against vitally important enemy oil refineries when they were intercepted by twenty (20) enemy fighter aircraft. Major Curtis displayed outstanding leadership and courage by leading a vigorous attack against the enemy which widely dispersed them and enabled the bombers to inflict extensive damage to the target and return to base without loss. In the ensuing engagement Major Curtis personally destroyed two (2) enemy fighter aircraft. Although all but one of his guns had jammed after his last encounter, Major Curtis, who observed a single bomber being attacked by eight (8) enemy aircraft, alone, attacked the enemy aircraft, destroyed one and confused the attackers thus saving the bomber. His extraordinary heroism and intrepid leadership and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps), [then First Lieutenant]Batallion:
2d Fighter SquadronRegiment:
52d Fighter GroupDivision:
15th Air ForceAction Date:
May 24, 1944
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Air Corps), [then First Lieutenant] Robert Charles Curtis (ASN: 0-424716), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a P-51 type aircraft on 24 May 1944. Major Curtis led his squadron as escorts to heavy bombers on a mission against strategic enemy installations in Austria. His squadron successfully fought 84 enemy fighters so that a successful mission was accomplished by the bombers and the fighter squadron accounting for nine enemy fighter aircraft.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
2d Fighter SquadronRegiment:
52d Fighter GroupDivision:
15th Air ForceAction Date:
June 11, 1944
Headquarters, 15th Air Force, General Orders No. 2021 (July 23, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) Robert Charles Curtis (ASN: 0-424716), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 2d Fighter Squadron, 52d Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force. While participating as escort to heavy bombers over Rumania, on 11 June 1944, Captain Curtis intercepted a formation of approximately twenty-four (24) hostile aircraft. Before the enemy fighters could attack the bombers, Captain Curtis brilliantly led his formation against the enemy, and in a bitter engagement, destroyed two (2) enemy aircraft, while his squadron destroyed eight (8) others without loss or injury to themselves. When attempting to reform his formation after the initial encounters, in order to present a greater striking force against the enemy, Captain Curtis was suddenly attacked by four (4) enemy fighters. Skillfully outmaneuvering the hostile aircraft, he dove to a minimum altitude, and while being chased, he sighted four (4) other hostile fighters ahead of him, and, unhesitatingly with complete disregard for his personal safety in the face of great odds, he attacked the four (4) enemy aircraft, destroying one (1) of them and thereafter returned safely to base. Through his exceptional leadership, courage and combat skill, Captain Curtis completely broke up a strategic enemy attack, thus allowing the bombers to continue safely to the target and effectively bomb it. By his conspicuous gallantry, leadership, and combat proficiency, together with his outstanding combat record of eight (8) enemy aircraft destroyed, and over ninety-eight (98) successful missions against the enemy, Captain Curtis has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps), [then Captain]Batallion:
2d Fighter SquadronRegiment:
52d Fighter GroupDivision:
15th Air ForceAction Date:
June 23, 1944
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Air Corps), [then Captain] Robert Charles Curtis (ASN: 0-424716), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a P-51 type aircraft on 23 June 1944. Major Curtis led his squadron of fighters, as escorts to destroy four and probably two other enemy fighters. By his outstanding leadership combat proficiency and devotion to duty he reflected a great credit upon himself and the Air Forces of the United States.