Gilbert Curtis

1930 - 2025

SMGT Gilbert Curtis, born July 10, 1930, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Mr. Curtis entered the army at Fort Jackson, SC in 1948. His first tour of duty, 1949, Camp Drake, Tokyo, Japan, First Calvary and 24th Infantry Division Beppu, Japan. In 1953, he joined the USAF and completed basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas. His field was munitions specialist training, completed at Lowry AFB in Denver, Colorado.

His first assignment, Hunter AFB, as munitions specialists loading special weapons on B-29s/B- 50s. Also worked on B-47 and selected for 5-member loading crew On TDY to Kirkland AFB, Albuquerque, NM to load experimental weapon on a B-36. Crew Chief for the 30th ADS Munitions Loading Team which took first place honors in the Oct 10-16 worldwide munitions loading competition at Lincoln AFB, Nebraska in 1958 with a spot promotion to Technical Sergeant.

He continued to work in munitions throughout his career and in 1967, was assigned to U Tapao, Thailand where is supervised the loading of conventional bombs on B-52's. He ended his career at SAC headquarters at Offutt AFB where he was on the MSET team. In addition to his evaluation assignments, SMSGT Curtis was technical consultant on three training films at Norton and Beale AFB's in California for training new personnel on the proper loading procedures for special weapons and warheads on AGM 28's and ADM 20C. In 1971, SMSGT Curtis received a line number for promotion to CMSGT but chose to retire in July 1971.

In 1959, on TDY to Barksdale AFB, Tech Sargent Curtis helped form 53rd MMS to be assigned at Seymour Johnson AFB in North Carolina. While at Seymour Johnson (1959-1961) his team attended the 1960 Bomb Comp at Bergstrom AFB in Texas where they took first place on B- 52's. His tours of duty included three years at Elmendorf AFB in Alaska and Bangor Maine.

He continued to work in munitions throughout his career and in 1967, was assigned to U Tapao, Thailand where is supervised the loading of conventional bombs on B-52's. He ended his career at SAC headquarters at Offutt AFB where he was on the MSET team. In addition to his evaluation assignments, SMSGT Curtis was technical consultant on three training films at Norton and Beale AFB's in California for training new personnel on the proper loading procedures for special weapons and warheads on AGM 28's and ADM 20C. In 1971, SMSGT Curtis received a line number for promotion to CMSGT but chose to retire in July 1971.

MEDALS
Bronze Star for service in U Tapao 1968
Meritorious Service, SAC MSET 1971
Air Force Commendation Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters 1958, 1961, 1967 American Defense Service Medal
Army of Occupation Medal
National Defense Service Medal with Gold Star
Vietnam Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon
USAF Non-commissioned Officer Academy Graduate Ribbon
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon