Captain Curtis was Senior Pilot of “Dutchy 41”, a rescue helicopter participating in the SAR for ESSEX 04, an F-105D piloted by Captain Willis E. Forby, who was captured when his aircraft was hit by ground fire and crashed. After “Dutchy 41” crashed Captain Duane Martin (Pilot) evaded and made his way to Laos and was captured by the Pathet Lao. Captain Thomas Curtis and two enlisted crewman, Airman First Class William Robinson (Flight Mechanic), and Airman Third Class Arthur Black (Pararescueman) were captured after the crash and held in North Vietnam until they were repatriated on February 27, 1973, after seven years in captivity. All four members of the crew were awarded the Air Force Cross. Thomas Curtis retired as a U.S. Air Force Colonel on September 1, 1977, to pursue a second career teaching Spanish and World Geography in Texas Public Schools for 12 years.
Sponsored by:
–
Awards Received
-
Air Force Cross
-
Legion of Merit
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Silver Star
-
Prisoner of War Medal
-
Bronze Star Medal
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Bronze Star Medal
-
Legion of Merit
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Air Force Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery SquadronDivision:
Tan Son Nhut Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
September 20, 1965
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Captain Thomas Jerry Curtis (AFSN: O-3037787/FR52644), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as Senior Pilot of an HH-43B helicopter of Detachment 3, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam, in action 40 miles south of Vinh, North Vietnam on 20 September 1965. On that date, Captain Curtis participated in an extremely hazardous attempted recovery of a downed pilot. This mission required a flight of over 80 miles, mostly over hostile controlled territory. Evaluation of the environment in which the downed pilot was located indicated that maximum performance would be demanded from each crewmember if successful recovery was to be effected. Though exposed to intensive hostile ground fire, Captain Curtis, with complete disregard for his own safety, performed with courage and professional precision in a supreme effort to rescue a fallen comrade. Captain Curtis’ courageous action and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the American fighting man under attack by an opposing armed force. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, Captain Curtis reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
-
Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Jerry Curtis (AFSN: O-3037787/FR52644), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. His ceaseless efforts, by a continuous showing of resistance to an enemy who ignored all international agreements on treatment of Prisoners of War, in the extremely adverse conditions of the communist prisons of North Vietnam, demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion, and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, he continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
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 with Combat “V” to Captain Thomas Jerry Curtis (AFSN: O-3037787/FR52644), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as Aircraft Commander of an unarmed and unarmored helicopter over North Vietnam on 24 July 1965. On that date, Captain Curtis’ aircraft penetrated deep into hostile territory to recover a downed U.S. Air Force pilot. This rescue mission involved flight in excess of 260 miles over unfamiliar territory, under marginal weather conditions, and without navigational aids. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Curtis reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October – November 1966
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Jerry Curtis (AFSN: O-3037787/FR52644), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period October 1966 to November 1966, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions, and propaganda materials. Lieutenant Colonel Curtis resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
-
Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 20, 1965 – February 12, 1973
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Jerry Curtis (AFSN: O-3037787/FR52644), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from September 20, 1965 until his release on February 12, 1973.
-
Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 20, 1965 – February 12, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Jerry Curtis (AFSN: O-3037787/FR52644), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 20 September 1965 to 12 February 1973. His ceaseless efforts to conduct himself strictly in accord with the Code of Conduct and policies of the prisoner organization in the difficult conditions of a communist prison clearly demonstrated his loyalty, love of country, and professionalism. By his unselfish dedication to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery SquadronDivision:
Tan Son Nhut Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Thomas Jerry Curtis (AFSN: O-3037787/FR52644), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Senior Pilot of an HH-43B helicopter of Detachment 3, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam, in action in Southeast Asia in 1965. His professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
-
Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 20, 1965 – February 12, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Jerry Curtis (AFSN: O-3037787/FR52644), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam. In an atmosphere of enemy harassment and brutal treatment, he continued to establish and maintain communications through unusual and ingenious methods, which resulted in American and Allied prisoners presenting a posture of increased resistance to the enemy’s wishes, and, at the same time, improving prisoner morale. By his heroic endeavors and devotion to duty under adverse conditions of his environment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
-
Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Thomas Jerry Curtis (AFSN: O-3037787/FR52644), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Curtis culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery SquadronDivision:
Tan Son Nhut Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
June 23, 1965
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 with Combat “V” to Captain Thomas Jerry Curtis (AFSN: O-3037787/FR52644), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of an Air Rescue Service HH-43B helicopter over North Vietnam on 23 June 1965. On that date, Captain Curtis assisted in the recovery of a downed pilot under extremely hazardous conditions. The mission required a flight of approximately 150 miles, most of it over hostile controlled areas with some heavy anti-aircraft artillery. The actual pickup was made in heavy jungle and required exceptional skill and crew coordination. The skillful and professional manner in which Captain Curtis performed his duties for this mission contributed to its success and saved the live of a U.S. Air Force pilot. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Curtis reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.