WWII Hero John Curcio Honored

RENOVO – A modest man, a true hero from World War II’s Greatest Generation, John Curcio was honored at Renovo’s memorial shrine on Thursday.

Elected officials from across the area and members of Renovo American Legion Post 442, of which Curcio was a founding member, turned out on a gorgeous morning to pay tribute to Curcio, now 95 but as sharp as ever. Congressman Fred Keller (R-12) presented Curcio with an American flag to be flown over the Mothers Gold Star Bridge at Hyner.

Keller and state Rep. Stephanie Borowicz (R-76) thanked Curcio for his World War II service. Into the Army Air Corps at the age of 19, he was a tail-gunner on a B-24 and flew 35 missions during the war.

But the diminutive Curcio modestly stole the show, regaling those in attendance with war stories. These included flying fuel to Gen. George S. Patton after Patton’s forces moved so quickly through Europe they became low on fuel; also Curcio’s opportunity to shake hands with the famous general. He also told of a mission over occupied territory, one in which his plane was running low on fuel. He said Sweden was nearby, the closest country for a safe landing. But instead the officer in charge had the crew toss out much of the plane’s contents to lighten the load so it could safely return to home base in a further away England. Curcio said he later asked the officer why the return to England, to which the officer replied, he had a date that night.

American Legion officials pointed out that Curcio has been a key figure in keeping the military memorial in immaculate shape.