Homestate: Ohio

Role at OSU: Student

Date of Loss: March 19, 1945

Accident Type: KIA

Resting Place: Plot D Row 2 Grave 21, Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold, France (American Battle Monuments Commission)

Career:

Lt. Col. James G. Curl was a decorated member of the Army Patrol earning the Silver Star, Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, American Campaign Medal, Purple Heart, and World War II Victory Medal awards. 

He enlisted in the Army Air Patrol and accumulated the rank of Lieutenant Colonel during WWII. On April 18, 1943, Curl, going by the call sign “Big Jim,” flew with 66th Fighter Group and led the mission dubbed “Goose Shoot” successfully eliminating the aerial bridge that Axis forces were using to retreat and evacuate from North Africa. It was the highest aerial victory count of any allied mission during World War II. Curl was credited with a significant portion of the victory over Axis planes on that mission, and was promoted from Captain to Major the next day. Major Curl left the squadron shortly after the mission, but returned to combat in late 1944 as the Commanding officer of the 2nd FS/52nd FG. He began flying P-40’s over Italy in 1944 and was killed in action on March 19, 1945. 

The original North district of Ohio State included Curl Drive. The Ohio State Board of Trustees voted on January 15, 2015 to honor Curl with Curl hall after removing Curl road. 

Researched by Brock Merritt, 2020