World War II Honoree

William Albert 'Bill' Curnutte

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Portsmouth, Virginia

Honored By

Troy M. Curnutte

Relationship

Son

ENLISTED IN AVIATION CADET PROGRAM IN JUNE 1942 AND ENTERED ACTIVE DUTY IN JANUARY 1943. GRADUATED FROM PILOT TRAINING WITH THE CLASS OF 43-K AT MOORE FIELD, TEXAS ON DECEMBER 5, 1943. COMPLETED P-47 TRAINING AT DALE MABRY FIELD, TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA IN APRIL 1944. OVERSEAS ASSIGNMENT WAS TO FOURTEENTH AIR FORCE, 81ST FIGHTER GROUP, 93RD FIGHTER SQUADRON. SPENT APPROXIMATELY 20 MONTHS IN THE CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS. 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 HIGHLIGHT OF THE CHINA DAYS WOULD HAVE TO INCLUDE 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. A DEFINITE TRIBUTE TO THE RUGGEDNESS OF THE P-47 “JUG.” DEPARTED GUSHKARA, INDIA IN OCTOBER 1945 ENROUTE TO THE U.S. ARRIVING IN NEW YORK ON DECEMBER 21, 1945.