Curtiss Family Information

We were not in the war, but the draft had been passed - you had to go to the army for a year. David had graduated but knew he would just barely get his law practice opened up then have to go put in his one-years service. So, he joined the army in 1941 to get his year out of the way - just prior to the Japanese attack. Then he was in for 4 years and some-odd months. The war in Japan was still on when Europe was over, but David had enough 'points' that he did not have to go. David got to be a lieutenant and saved his money - had quite a bit when he got out.
Gene and Dave had both graduated before the war.
Dave worked in Camp Roberts at the Judge Advocates Office, then all able bodied men were summoned. He was transferred to the National Guard - then applied to Office Training School. Went through 13 weeks of training to be a 2nd lieut. Went back to Camp Roberts - down to Lou, up to New York State - then took Queen Elizabeth to Southampton england.
Went into Wales - put their battalion in a training area with a castle. David lived in the castle. Went across to Omaha beach after the allies had taken it - followed PATTON as fast as they could until they ran out of Gas. Brits were getting all the fuel so they could chase the Germans. They were attached to the 9th army. They were 12 miles north of the battle of the bulge. David had a 4.5 rifle - would shoot a 50-60 pound projectile 19,000 feet. Put bags of powder in - normal charge and surcharge.  They would dig a pit and burn the bags. They fired about 17000 rounds. They condemned the guns at the Rhine river since they were worn out.
They patrolled Germany for a while then, had to find school kids to translate for them from English to German and back.
Confiscated every German car they came across - lost quite a few people to car accidents after the war was over. Moved back to Liege Belgium where he learned to play golf. Had to wait several months for a ride back to the states. Was in a port in France when the Japanese Surrendered. Huge Celebration - several people killed.
Back to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, from there on back to Basset. David didn't like Basset - Gene told him about F.P. Voter's practice in Laurel.

Herbie was a Mason - got Dave and Gene to join. Harold never was a Mason. They had a special arrangement for people who were drafted to get all three degrees in 3 days. David did that and went off to war as a master mason.

David was a lieutenant in the 774th  field artillery battalion - in charge of a 5-inch rifle ? staged in England, went ashore at Omaha Beach (not in the first wave) then was all over northern Europe. Fought in the battle of the Bulge.
Gene was in the Navy (Marines?)
Harold was a medic in an infantry company.

Curtiss Family Info