Curcio Named a “Chevalier” by France
John Curcio Honored by French for WWII Liberation Contribution
by Barbara Mastriania
NORTH BEND – North Bend resident John Curcio has been named a “Chevalier” of the Legion of Honor, as a sign of France’s gratitude for his personal contribution to the liberation of France during World War II.
The award is to be presented in the name of the President of the French Republic during a ceremony Wednesday, March 4 at 3 p.m. at the French Embassy (Maison Francaise) in Washington, DC.
Curcio, who is 89 and will turn 90 on May 23 said this week that he doesn’t think he is able to drive the long distance to Washington to attend the ceremony. “I don’t think my knees can take it,” he said.
He was informed of the upcoming honors presentation two weeks ago in a letter signed by Olivier Serot Almeras, Consul General of France.
“I had no idea the French remembered WWII Veterans,” he said. “These letters were sent to some of the 8th Air Force Veterans.”
Curcio is a member of the 8th Air Force Historical Society. He said he was told some months ago that he might be eligible for recognition. He said he filled out a paper he was given and submitted it. He served in World War Two with a ten-member bomber crew and flew 35 missions. He and one other 90 year-old veteran of the crew are the lone survivors.
His service in France included aiding General George Patton. Curcio recalls that “Patton was going through France pretty fast. His tanks ran out of gas.” The crew Curcio was with had to stop combat missions to supply Patton with gasoline. “For ten days we’d land in France to take gas to Patton’s Army.”
Curcio flew missions to north and south France, the Battle of the Bulge in Ardenes, Rhineland, Germany, and Normandy. He remembers that “when we got back from a mission we got two shots of whiskey. I was 19 and not old enough to drink.” He was old enough for the mission, he was old enough for the drink he was told. He also remembers that “every mission we had holes in the plane.” He had a piece of shrapnel from one mission that he kept 50 years and then donated it to a museum in Ohio.
His age was an issue when it came to receiving a government bonus for his war time service. He had to quit school at 17 to work. He got a job in Middletown where he worked on airplane engines and learned about hydraulics. When he turned 18 he went to Delaware to where his dad worked. He worked there until he enlisted. Pennsylvania gave returning war veterans bonuses but he was told he wasn’t eligible because joined in Delaware. Delaware bonuses were $250 but he was told he wasn’t eligible because he was from Pennsylvania. Eventually he received his bonus – from Delaware.
Curcio served two years during WWII before returning home. He notes that this area lost 55 men and one woman in WWII.
