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An officer and gentleman in every sense of the phrase, <em>Charles Curtis George</em> was born the 12th of April 1921 in the Army and raised in the best traditions of dedicated service to country, gallantry and honor. He journeyed with his parents, the late Brigadier General and Mrs. C. P. George to the many Army posts they were assigned during the years between World War I and World War II,<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>learning to love horses and “the sound of the guns” on the artillery ranges of Fort Sill and Fort Sam Houston. While spending his boyhod at Fort Myer and Washington where his grandfather, the late Honorable Charles Curtis, was Vice President of the United States, Curtis developed a flexibility and good humored poise.</div>
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Entering the United States Military Academy as an Honor Graduate from Valley Forge Military Academy, Curtis was assigned to D Company, and became a well-liked and respected member of the corps of cadets. Participating in fencing, track and his old love, horseback riding, he liked the outdoors and individual sports where he had to depend on his own abilities. Perhaps this may be why he turned to flying later in his career and loved it so much.</div>
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After graduation in May of 1942 he assembled with his classmates at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, to take his Officer’s Basic Artillery Course and begin his career with the guns he had watcned his father command. From Fort Sill he went to the 5th Armored Division and intensive training in the Mojave Desert. After the desert, Curt moved to 1st Army Headquarters and England for pre-D-Day maneuvers and training which culminated in his crossing OMAHA BEACH with elements of V Corps Artillery on 6 June 1944. As an Assistant S-3, he performed his many and varied duties with energy and enthusiasm until the war’s end in Germany in May of 1945, earning a Bronze Star</div>
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Medal and Air Medal for his outstanding performance of duty.</div>
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With the desire for individual accomplishment still burning strong within him. Curt turned to Army Aviation and earned his Army Pilot rating in 1946. This took him to Fort Monroe, Virginia, with Army Field Forces for two very happy years. After the Advanced Artillery Course at Fort Sill, Curt earned his boots and Jump Badge at Fort Benning. Then, like so many good soldiers, he moved “to the sound of the guns” again, this time in Korea in September 1950. There in the following spring after earning another Bronze Star Medal and two more Air Medals he fought a hard battle with a disease very similar to polio. He finally bested it to undergo a long and arduous period of recuperation. Then came a fine assignment as Aide to Lieutenant General Joseph Swing, at that time Commanding General of the 6th US Army at the Presidio of San Francisco, California. These were happy, delightful days for Curt as he not only studied problems of higher command and developed a fine degree of human understanding but also enjoyed to the fullest the many cultural advantages of San Francisco. While there he earned his rating as a Senior Army Aviator in 1953. From the Presidio to the Regular Course at Leavenworth in ’54-’55 he moved to his last assignment in the Development Division of the Army Aviation Scnol at Fort Rucker, Alabama. At Fort Rucker he attained his finest performance of duty winning the highest praise from his superiors for his outstanding performance of duty and thorough knowledge and technical skill in his profession. It was in this assignment that Curt’s tragic illness was discovered and met with courageous gallantry and inspirational fortitude.</div>
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Having always exhibited the finest of soldierly qualities in manner and bearing, Curt’s sincere and friendly attitude toward all he met made him many staunch friends who now miss him deeply. The leadership, selfless devotion to duty, and loyalty to subordinates as well as superiors reflected the highest credit upon him as well as us, his classmates, who have had the honor of being associated with him.</div>
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The Class of ’42 with great regret has graduated an outstanding member in Charles Curtis George to the Long Grey Line of those who’ve gone before. May we remaining strive as well and uphold the splendid example he set for all in his selfless dedication to Duty, Honor and Country.</div>
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<em>—L.H. Caruthers, Jr.</em></div>