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 [then Captain] Clyde Alfred Curtin (AFSN: AO-431127), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as pilot of an F-86 Sabrejet of the 335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force, against enemies of the United Nations in Korea on 15 July 1953. On this date, Major Curtin was leading a combat air patrol along the Yalu River when friendly radar reported low flying enemy aircraft crossing the Yalu into North Korea. Just after Major Curtin had descended to low altitude seeking an engagement, he was attacked by three MiG’s passing over his formation. Major Curtin quickly executed a hard Immelmann turn, placing his flight in an advantageous position to attack the enemy who were turning to attack once more. This excellently performed maneuver completely disorganized the enemy force, and they attempted to retreat across the river. As the MiG’s broke formation, Major Curtin attacked one ship, and following the MiG through increasingly violent and desperate maneuvers to evade his fire, observed the MiG aircraft go into a spin. Although Major Curtin had become separated from his wingman in the fight and was alone and exposed to attack, he followed the spinning MiG down, observed the pilot to recover, and immediately go into another spin. The enemy pilot then ejected and was photographed by Major Curtin’s gun camera in his descent. Upon return to his home base, Major Curtin was officially credited with the destruction of one enemy MiG-15. Major Curtin’s aggressiveness, courage, and superior airmanship reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
335th Fighter-Interceptor SquadronRegiment:
4th Fighter-Interceptor GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
July 19, 1953
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 402 (November 2, 1953)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 Clyde Alfred Curtin (AFSN: AO-431127), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an armed enemy of the United Nations as Pilot of an F-86 Sabrejet Fighter-Bomber of the 4th Fighter-Interceptor Group, FIFTH Air Force, on 19 July 1953. On that date, while on a combat air patrol along the Yalu River deep in enemy territory, Major Curtin was notified by radar that enemy aircraft were approaching friendly Fighter-Bombers under the cover of low lying thunderstorms. Major Curtin proceeded to the area of the reported enemy activity and conducted a low altitude search for the enemy despite rain, poor visibility, heavy turbulence, and intense enemy anti-aircraft artillery fire. At 7,000 feet, Major Curtin observed twelve enemy MiG-15s and as he positioned himself for an attack, enemy MiGs boxed him in at the left rear and right rear. The MiGs attacked, but Major Curtin, by a series of skillfully executed violent maneuvers, evaded the fire of the MiGs and despite the odds, counter-attacked the enemy force. Pressing his attack, Major Curtin positioned his aircraft behind one MiG, and with one long accurate burst of fire, destroyed the enemy aircraft, which was observed to burn and explode. Though his intrepidity in the face of the enemy, and by his outstanding airmanship and exemplary devotion to duty, Major Curtin reflected the highest credit upon himself and the military service. Great credit upon himself, the FAR EAST Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Major [then Captain]Batallion:
335th Fighter-Interceptor SquadronRegiment:
4th Fighter-Interceptor WingAction Date:
July 19, 1953
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major [then Captain] Clyde Alfred Curtin (AFSN: AO-431127), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as pilot of an F-86 Sabrejet of the 335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force, against enemies of the United Nations in Korea on 19 July 1953. Major Curtin was leading a flight of two F-86’s on a combat air patrol deep in enemy territory near the Yalu River, when he sighted two enemy MiG’15’s headed South. Immediately initiating a violent turning attack, he closed on one of the enemy aircraft. Observing they were being attacked, the MiG’s turned hard towards the Yalu to escape, but Major Curtin, through outstanding airmanship and superior skill, expertly maneuvered his aircraft to cut off the last one. Closing into firing range, he opened fire on it and scored hits in the wing and fuselage with one burst of his deadly fire. The MiG turned hard in an effort to evade, but Major Curtin tenaciously kept the offensive and scored multiple hits with repeated bursts of fire. The MiG pilot, with his aircraft flaming heavily, climbed steeply in an effort to lose him,, but at the top of the climb, stalled his aircraft, and ejected just before his craft spun flaming into the ground. Upon return to his home base, Major Curtin was officially credited with the destruction of one MiG-15. By superior skill, courage, and aggressive flying ability Major Curtin reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
335th Fighter-Interceptor SquadronRegiment:
4th Fighter-Interceptor WingAction Date:
October 11, 1952
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 Captain Clyde Alfred Curtin (AFSN: AO-431127), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as pilot of an F-86 Sabrejet of the 335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force, against enemies of the United Nations in Korea on 11 October 1952. While flying number two position in a flight of four F-86s in the Sinuiju area, four MiG’s were sighted as they headed for the Yalu River. Maneuvering into position the F-86 flight leader made his kill with Captain Curtin providing maximum protection. Captain Curtin then positioned himself on another MiG, firing several short bursts and observing immediate hits cover the enemy aircraft. Utilizing his tactical knowledge to the utmost, as the Communist pilot attempted to escape his withering attack, Captain Curtin continued to fire until the MiG crashed into the ground with the pilot failing to eject. By this brilliant display of airmanship illustrating his proficiency as an aerial combatant Captain Curtin has reflected the highest credit upon himself and the military service. great credit upon himself, his comrades-in-arms of the United Nations and the United States Air Force.