Timothy J Curtis
Capt USAF SAC B-52
Vietnam 1963-1968
Timothy J, Curtis was born in Iowa City, Iowa on January 3, 1941 and graduated from Iowa City High School in June, 1959. He received a commission as a 2nd Lt. and an Aeronautical Rating of Navigator in the USAF upon graduating from the USAF Aviation Cadet Program at James Connally AFB in Waco, TX on March 20, 1964. He received further upgrade training for B-52 aircraft at Mather AFB, CA and Castle AFB, CA before his permanent assignment to the Strategic Air Command's 322 Bomb Squadron of the 91st Bomb Wing at Glasgow AFB, MT. After certification by the 15th Air Force General Staff, 2nd LT. Curtis received a spot promotion to 1st LT and was assigned as the Combat Crew Navigator on crew E-13. As an operational SAC B-52 crew member he performed ground nuclear alert duties and flew airborne nuclear Chrome Dome missions during the Cold War period.
In 1966 the 91st Bomb Wing's B-52's were configured to carry conventional weapons and over the next two years the Bomb Wing was deployed twice to Southeast Asia to take part in the Vietnam War's Arc Light Operation. During this time Capt. Curtis flew 79 bombing missions in North & South Vietnam and Laos.
After being honorably discharged from the Air Force in May, 1968 Tim completed his education receiving a B.S. degree in Business Administration in 1969, from Mankato State College, Mankato, MN. Following graduation he entered the Federal Aviation Administration's Air Traffic Controller School. He worked for the FAA in several capacities, retiring from the FAA's Great Lakes Regional Office as a Regional Operational Duty Officer in January, 1997.
Tim has been married to his lovely wife Diana for 57 years, has 2 daughters, 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
Medals earned: Three USAF Air Medals, Air Force Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation. two Outstanding Unit Awards, Combat Readiness Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, USAF Longevity Service Award, Vietnam Campaign Medal
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