Edward Peck Curtis

Edward Peck "Ted" Curtis was born on 14 January 1897 in Rochester, New York to Mrs. G.T. Curtis. He was a graduate of St. George's School in Rhode Island. He attended Williams College, where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Society, before dropping out to join the American Field Service and driving an ambulance for the French Army in 1917.{{cite web |url=https://www.afhra.af.mil/Portals/16/documents/Studies/51-100/AFD-090601-134.pdf |title=Biographical Data on Air Force General Officers, 1917-1952, Volume 1 – A thru L |year=1953 |last=Fogerty |first=Robert P. |pages=–420–422 |publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency |id= USAF historical studies: no. 91 |access-date=November 9, 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831192543/https://www.afhra.af.mil/Portals/16/documents/Studies/51-100/AFD-090601-134.pdf |archive-date=August 31, 2021}} After the US entered the war, Curtis served with the 95th Aero Squadron becoming a flying ace by winning six aerial victories. He specifically flew the Nieuport 28. He shared his forth victory with leading ace Eddie Rickenbacker. Curtis was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for a lone scouting flight far into enemy airspace. He flew a captured Fokker D.VII to Paris that now hangs in National Air and Space Museum. Curtis served as an aide de camp for General Billy Mitchell. He earned the rank of Major, the youngest in the army, before leaving military service for the state department.

Curtis served with the U. S. State Department in Russia after World War I. He then became an employee of Eastman Kodak Company, where he rose to become director, general manager of the international division and vice president. He retired from Kodak in 1962 after 42 years of service and remained as a Kodak board member until 1969.{{cite news | title=Edward P. Curtis, Eisenhower Aviation Aide | date=1987-03-15 | url =https://www.nytimes.com/1987/03/15/obituaries/edward-p-curtis-eisenhower-aviation-aide.html?pagewanted=1 | work =The New York Times | pages =136 | access-date = 2010-01-28 }}

In 1940, prior to World War II, Curtis joined the Army Air Corps foreseeing the coming conflict. He served with General Carl Spaatz in England and then as Chief of Staff of the Northwest African Air Forces in 1943. In 1944 in England served as Chief of Staff, U. S. Strategic Air Force in Europe earning the rank of Major General.

He received the French Legion of Honor and the United States Legion of Merit for his part in the war in Africa.

In 1956–1957, he served Dwight D. Eisenhower{{cite web |title=1957 Interim Report of the President's Special Assistant for Aviation Facilities Planning |url=https://www.enotrans.org/eno-resources/1957-interim-report-of-the-presidents-special-assistant-for-aviation-facilities-planning/ |website=Enotrans.org |publisher=Enotrans |access-date=2 August 2020}} as Special Assistant to the U. S. President for Aviation Facilities Planning. Curtis realized that separate air traffic control systems for military and civilians was impractical. He was instrumental in planning for the Federal Aviation Administration and the Federal Aviation Act of 1958. For his Aviation Facilities Planning which addressed problems with aircraft, air space, and facilities;{{cite web |title=collier-1950-1959-winners |url=https://naa.aero/awards/awards-and-trophies/collier-trophy/collier-1950-1959-winners |website=NAA.aero |publisher=NAA |access-date=22 July 2020}} Curtis was awarded the 1957 Robert J. Collier Trophy by the National Aeronautic Association for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America."{{cite web |title=Collier Trophy |url=https://naa.aero/awards/awards-and-trophies/collier-trophy |website=NAA.aero |publisher=NAA |access-date=23 July 2020}}

Curtis died on 13 March 1987 from pneumonia at age 90.

• List of World War I flying aces from the United States

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• [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cY1GM3VIyF8&t=713s “”Flying Coffins: The First World War in the Air (1of2)”” In a 1977 interview, Curtis talks WWI flight characteristics of the Nieuport 28 at 13:00 & 43:45 & 45:18 minutes into video]

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Category:1897 births

Category:1987 deaths

Category:1957 in aviation

Category:United States Army generals

Category:Military personnel from Rochester, New York

Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States)

Category:American World War I flying aces

Category:Williams College alumni

Category:Collier Trophy recipients

Category:St. George's School (Rhode Island) alumni