World War II Honoree

William A. Curnutte, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Portsmouth, Virginia

Honored By

Troy M. Curnutte

Relationship

Son

OVERSEAS ASSIGNMENT TO THE 14TH AIR FORCE, 81ST FIGHTER GROUP, 93RD FIGHTER SQUADRON AS A P-47 FIGHTER PILOT. SPENT APPROXIMATELY 20 MONTHS IN THE CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER. APPROXIMATELY HALF OF THE TOUR WAS SPENT IN CHINA IN THE CHENGTU AREA INCLUDING A COUPLE OF MONTHS AT ANKANG WITH THE 91ST FIGHTER SQUADRON AND THE OTHER HALF AT GUSHKARA, INDIA WITH THE 93RD FIGHTER SQUADRON, WHICH OPERATED AN OPERATIONAL TRAINING UNIT. A STRAFING RUN OVER HANKOW AIRDROME DURING WHICH A SEVERE HIT WAS TAKEN IN THE ENGINE AREA, BUT MANAGED TO MAKE IT BACK TO ANKANG SAFELY. DEPARTED GUSHKARA, INDIA IN OCTOBER 1945 EN-ROUTE TO THE U.S., ARRIVING IN NEW YORK ON DECEMBER 21, 1945.