Curlee, Jack Douglas, LTJG

TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, WHAT INFLUENCED HIS/HER DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY?
During World War II, almost everyone that could serve, did serve, and wanted to serve. You could decide to enlist, or if not, the government could decide for you by drafting you. Curlee enlisted in the Navy's V-12 program and entered the service at Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, which then took him to the USNR Midshipmen's School in New York City for further training and commissioning.

His only sibling, George Brooks Curlee, served as a sergeant in the Army's 70th Infantry Division (Trailblazers), in Germany during World War II. He was wounded and MIA but made it safely home from the war.

On Curlee's wife's side of the family, her brother and her brother-in-law served in the Army and both returned safe and sound. Both families were fortunate and almost unique in that all the men of that generation served during World War II and all returned home safely.

Also, serving in the military has been considered a patriotic duty and obligation in the Curlee family historically. Two of Curlee's ancestors, George Prickett and Israel Prickett were credited with Revolutionary War service. At least two of four great grandfathers, William Curlee and Lewis Kilgore, served as Confederate soldiers in the War Between the States (both have TWS profiles). Curlee's father and father-in-law served in the Army in WWI (both have TWS profles).

TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH HE/SHE TOOK IN HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE. WHERE DID THEY GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE THEY ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS HIS/HER REASON FOR LEAVING?
Curlee enlisted with the intent to attend the V-12 and the V-7 programs. While attending the V-12 program at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA, he received the remaining class hours needed to graduate from Alabama Polytechnic Institute (API, now Auburn University) with a degree in mechanical engineering. While he was at API, Curlee played varsity baseball for three years.

He then went to the USNR Midshipmen's School in New York City, specializing in engineering. Curlee was then sent to the diesel engineering school in Flint, MI.

After that, he was assigned as the engineering officer aboard USS LST-78 for the entire time he was in the Pacific and assisted in its decommissioning upon return to the United States.
Curlee was then sent to NAS Green Cove Springs, FL, where he assisted in decommissioning the USS Stern (DE 187) and played on the NAS Green Cove Springs baseball team.

IF HE/SHE PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE YOU FEEL WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO HIM/HER AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
As the engineering officer aboard USS LST-78, Curlee participated in the Okinawa Gunto operation, which was the amphibious landing, assault and occupation of Okinawa, during May and June 1945. It was also called Operation Iceberg. Photo is of his ship on a beach after offloading troops and equipment.

Curlee witnessed the USS Birmingham (CL-62) get hit by a Japanese kamikaze plane on May 4, 1945 off Okinawa. The plane hit her starboard deck forward, carrying a 500 lb. bomb which penetrated to the sick bay three levels below deck before exploding. About fifty crew members were killed in the attack. The plane's pilot was found dead in the water, having been ejected from the aircraft. The Birmingham was able to steam to Pearl Harbor for repairs. It was terrible to witness such an event, and really affected Curlee as the Birmingham was named for his hometown.

TWS Historian's Notes: "Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the loss of many American held Pacific outposts, the United States launched a counter-offensive strategy known as 'island-hopping'. The idea was to capture certain key islands, one after another, until Japan came within range of American bombers. The final island in this strategy was Okinawa. Capturing the four airfields on the island was what America needed to launch bombing raids on Japan's industrial heartland. The island was also used as a base of operations for the planned invasion of the Japanese mainland.

The invasion of Okinawa on April 1, 1945, the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II began and ended with the heaviest concentration of naval gunfire ever used to support an amphibious landing. Positioned off the beaches were ten American battleships, nine cruisers, 23 destroyers and destroyer escorts, and 117 rocket gunboats. Together they fired 3,800 tons of shells at Okinawa during the first 24 hours. The landing force consisted of 60,000 American troops (two Marine divisions and two Army divisions). Initially they landed unopposed but as the force moved inland they found 130,000 Japanese dug into caves and tunnels on the high ground away from the beaches. They had been told by their commanding general to "fight to the death."

OF ALL THEIR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY HE/SHE HAD FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS THEIR LEAST FAVORITE?
Curlee's only shipboard assignment was the USS LST-78. One of the 78's anti-aircraft gunners misidentified a PBY as an enemy aircraft and then shot it down. The pilot was fortunately able to crash land the aircraft with no loss of life.

Sometime later, the pilot tried to board the ship with a drawn .45 cal. automatic pistol. He wanted to kill the gunner who shot him down! He was restrained and taken away. However, it is hard to understand how the gunner could make such a mistake, because a PBY was one of the most recognizable aircraft ever manufactured!

Curlee had great memories of the officers and men aboard ship. Chief Motor Machinist's Mate, later Chief Petty Officer James Leach and he were close, and they reconnected many years later via the Ohio LST/Amphibs Association and reminisced about their times together in the Navy during WWII.

On a more serious note, the 78 was caught in a typhoon off the Philippine Islands in 1944. The ship was carrying two pontoon bridges, and the heavy winds caused the chains to break loose on the starboard side pontoon. Everyone worked together to solve the ship and life threatening problem. The deck crew cut the remaining chains with torches to release the pontoon and Curlee's engineering crew adjusted ballast to keep the ship from listing too dangerously. All survived, of course, but it was quite scary for everyone.

FROM THEIR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY PERSONAL MEMORIES, YOU MAY BE AWARE OF, WHICH IMPACTED HIM/HER THE MOST.
Curlee and his brother, Brooks (at left in photo) in Pasadena, CA on Jan. 1, 1946, just before they went to the Rose Bowl. Curlee had just returned from the Pacific, and was in San Francisco, CA, preparing to assist in the decommissioning of USS LST-78.

Curlee's brother, who had been wounded and MIA with the 70th Infantry Division (Trailblazers), U.S. Army in Europe, was stationed at Camp Ross in Wilmington, CA.

What are the chances that brothers stationed in opposite parts of the world could end up so near each other and go to a football game together! The University of Alabama beat the University of Southern California 34-10. More irony? Although we were both from Alabama, they both graduated from Auburn!

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS DO YOU BELIEVE HE/SHE WAS MOST PROUD OF FROM HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE?
The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medal with a battle star for the Okinawa Gunto Operation. Curlee stated he was proud to have participated.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES HE/SHE RECEIVED, WHICH WERE THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO HIM/HER AND WHY?
The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medal with a battle star for the Okinawa Gunto Operation.

IF KNOWN, PLEASE LIST ANY INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM HIS/HER TIME IN THE MILITARY WHO STOOD OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEM AND WHY?
Chief Petty Officer James Leach had the greatest impact on Curlee while serving aboard USS-LST 78. Although Curlee had a mechanical engineering degree and had completed the diesel engineering school, being immediately assigned as the engineering officer of a ship was daunting to say the least.

Chief Leach was qualified, experienced and knew the engine room inside and out. Curlee took care of Leach (he helped him make Chief Petty Officer) and Leach took care of Curlee and the engine rooms! In the photograph, Curlee is pictured on the left and Chief Leach is on the far right.

ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM HIS/HER SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MADE THEM LAUGH LATER ON?
On one occasion, the ship's captain asked to inspect the engine room. He came down and took one look at the auxiliary engines, which apparently was sufficient for him and he left. He never even went into the main engine room! He never came down to the engine room again and the entire engineering division believed he never realized that he had not seen the main engines!

The captain also ordered release of the stern anchor much too early during a beaching process. Naturally, all the chain was run out and the anchor was lost. He had to request a replacement anchor much to his embarrassment!

Curlee also described being initiated as a Trusty Shellback on 17JUN45 after crossing the Equator as funny in later years, but that it certainly didn't seem so at the time!

IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, WHAT PROFESSION(S) DID HE/SHE FOLLOW AFTER DISCHARGE?
Curlee worked his entire civilian career as a sales engineer and a sales manager for two large equipment manufacturing firms.

In this photo, Curlee was surrounded by his family on the occasion of his 90th Birthday, March 22, 2012. He died on September 10, 2015.

IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU BELIEVE HIS/HER SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY THEY APPROACHED THEIR PERSONAL LIFE, FAMILY LIFE AND CAREER?
Curlee stated that he learned mostly to be organized and prepared. Preparation and training were the keys for almost any event that could be faced.

IF THEY WERE HERE TODAY, WHAT ADVICE DO YOU THINK HE OR SHE WOULD GIVE TO THOSE WHO FOLLOWED IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS AND RECENTLY ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE?
Curlee said to learn everything possible about your job and learn to accept constructive criticism without taking it too personally.

HOW EFFECTIVE HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM BEEN IN HELPING YOU RECORD YOUR REMEMBERED PERSONS MILITARY SERVICE? DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE?
Curlee enjoyed reliving his time in the Navy on TWS. It allowed him to put things in perspective chronologically. He also remembered many things he had forgotten until he started writing them down for TWS.

Photo is of the Engineering Division aboard USS LST-78, DEC44. Curlee is shown at the far right of the first row.

KC 10/26/18