World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
John E. Curran
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Fairfield, Connecticut
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
RANK: 1ST LIEUTENANT. SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ASSIGNED TO THE U.S. ARMY, HOTEL COMPANY, 3RD BATTALION, 501ST PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 101ST AIRBORNE ‘SCREAMING EAGLES’ DIVISION. HE WAS A PARATROOPER WHO JUMPED INTO FRANCE IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS ON D-DAY, JUNE 6, 1944, OPERATION OVERLORD, THE INVASION OF GERMANY’S FORTRESS EUROPE. DIED OF WOUNDS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 1944 THAT HE HAD SUSTAINED IN THE BATTLE FOR CARENTAN, FRANCE DURING THE NORMANDY INVASION. HE IS BURIED IN THE NORMANDY AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, FRANCE. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: SILVER STAR AND THE PURPLE HEART. THE SILVER STAR WAS AWARDED TO THE LIEUTENANT FOR DISTINGUISHED GALLANTRY IN ACTION. HIS DIVISION WAS AWARDED A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION WITH 1 BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER, MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION, FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM, BELGIAN CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM, BELGIAN FOURRAGERE OF 1940 AND THE ORANGE LANYARD OF THE ROYAL NETHERLANDS ARMY FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE GERMAN ARMED FORCES.