Rear Admiral Charles August Curtze, USN was born Aug 8, 1911 in Erie, Pennsylvania, the son of Edward Herman Curtze (1885 - 1946) and Henriette Kraus Curtze (1886 - 1980). His paternal grandfather was Charles A. Curtze (1849 - 1901), founder of the Charles A. Curtze Company in Erie.
Charles attended Jones Elementary School, Gridley Middle School, and graduated from Central High School in 1928. He received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis Maryland and graduated with the Class of 1933 (Graduate # 10882). He received a commission as a civil engineering officer.
From 1934 to 1936 he served on board the USS New Mexico (BB-40), and from 1936 to 1937 he served on board the USS Gamble (DD-123).
Charles qualified as a member of the U.S. gymnastics team to the 1936 Olympics in Munich, Germany, but the security concerns of the U.S. State Department barred him from participating.
In 1939 he earned his master's degree in naval construction from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Charles was serving on board the USS St. Louis (CL-49) at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese struck the U.S. Pacific Fleet on Dec 7, 1941. He served in the Pacific during World War II.
After the war, he served as the engineering member of the first U.S. team in London with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). He later served as commanding officer the San Francisco Naval Shipyard. While in this assignment, he was selected for promotion to Rear Admiral. He was appointed Deputy Chief of the Bureau of Ships in Washington, DC under RADM William Alden Brockett, USN (1914 - 1984).
Although he had fought in World War II and had trained as a professional naval officer, Admiral Curtze disliked war - he had joined the Navy because of his interest in ships and the sea.
A man of honor and integrity, he and Admiral Brockett (USNA 1934) grew concerned over the political abuses they saw during the Vietnam War. In 1965, to protest these abuses, Admiral Brockett and Admiral Curtze requested early retirement despite being at the peak of their careers. Admiral Curtze officially retired on Dec 1, 1965.
The Admiral and his wife, Louise DeWolfe Vicary Curtze (1915 - 2006), designed and built the yacht Thule and enjoyed many years of sailing. Admiral Curtze also enjoyed literature, music, choral singing, skiing, sailing, fine craftsmanship, and animals.
In the last years of his life, Admiral Curtze spent time studying Biblical prophecy.
Louise died in 2006. Admiral Curtze died in his sleep at age 96 on Dec 27, 2007. He was survived by his two sons and four grandchildren.
Admiral Curtze was one of five natives of Erie, Pennsylvania in the twentieth century to attain flag rank in the U.S. Navy. Others included VADM Thomas R. Weschler (1917 - 2016), RADM John R. Johannesen (1901 - 1995), RADM Stephen E. Jones (1906 - 1997), RADM Denys W. Knoll (1907 - 1989).
The Admiral Charles A. Curtze Maritime Hall at Erie History Museum was named in his honor.
Charles attended Jones Elementary School, Gridley Middle School, and graduated from Central High School in 1928. He received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis Maryland and graduated with the Class of 1933 (Graduate # 10882). He received a commission as a civil engineering officer.
From 1934 to 1936 he served on board the USS New Mexico (BB-40), and from 1936 to 1937 he served on board the USS Gamble (DD-123).
Charles qualified as a member of the U.S. gymnastics team to the 1936 Olympics in Munich, Germany, but the security concerns of the U.S. State Department barred him from participating.
In 1939 he earned his master's degree in naval construction from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Charles was serving on board the USS St. Louis (CL-49) at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese struck the U.S. Pacific Fleet on Dec 7, 1941. He served in the Pacific during World War II.
After the war, he served as the engineering member of the first U.S. team in London with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). He later served as commanding officer the San Francisco Naval Shipyard. While in this assignment, he was selected for promotion to Rear Admiral. He was appointed Deputy Chief of the Bureau of Ships in Washington, DC under RADM William Alden Brockett, USN (1914 - 1984).
Although he had fought in World War II and had trained as a professional naval officer, Admiral Curtze disliked war - he had joined the Navy because of his interest in ships and the sea.
A man of honor and integrity, he and Admiral Brockett (USNA 1934) grew concerned over the political abuses they saw during the Vietnam War. In 1965, to protest these abuses, Admiral Brockett and Admiral Curtze requested early retirement despite being at the peak of their careers. Admiral Curtze officially retired on Dec 1, 1965.
The Admiral and his wife, Louise DeWolfe Vicary Curtze (1915 - 2006), designed and built the yacht Thule and enjoyed many years of sailing. Admiral Curtze also enjoyed literature, music, choral singing, skiing, sailing, fine craftsmanship, and animals.
In the last years of his life, Admiral Curtze spent time studying Biblical prophecy.
Louise died in 2006. Admiral Curtze died in his sleep at age 96 on Dec 27, 2007. He was survived by his two sons and four grandchildren.
Admiral Curtze was one of five natives of Erie, Pennsylvania in the twentieth century to attain flag rank in the U.S. Navy. Others included VADM Thomas R. Weschler (1917 - 2016), RADM John R. Johannesen (1901 - 1995), RADM Stephen E. Jones (1906 - 1997), RADM Denys W. Knoll (1907 - 1989).
The Admiral Charles A. Curtze Maritime Hall at Erie History Museum was named in his honor.
Rear Admiral Charles August Curtze, USN was born Aug 8, 1911 in Erie, Pennsylvania, the son of Edward Herman Curtze (1885 - 1946) and Henriette Kraus Curtze (1886 - 1980). His paternal grandfather was Charles A. Curtze (1849 - 1901), founder of the Charles A. Curtze Company in Erie.
Charles attended Jones Elementary School, Gridley Middle School, and graduated from Central High School in 1928. He received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis Maryland and graduated with the Class of 1933 (Graduate # 10882). He received a commission as a civil engineering officer.
From 1934 to 1936 he served on board the USS New Mexico (BB-40), and from 1936 to 1937 he served on board the USS Gamble (DD-123).
Charles qualified as a member of the U.S. gymnastics team to the 1936 Olympics in Munich, Germany, but the security concerns of the U.S. State Department barred him from participating.
In 1939 he earned his master's degree in naval construction from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Charles was serving on board the USS St. Louis (CL-49) at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese struck the U.S. Pacific Fleet on Dec 7, 1941. He served in the Pacific during World War II.
After the war, he served as the engineering member of the first U.S. team in London with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). He later served as commanding officer the San Francisco Naval Shipyard. While in this assignment, he was selected for promotion to Rear Admiral. He was appointed Deputy Chief of the Bureau of Ships in Washington, DC under RADM William Alden Brockett, USN (1914 - 1984).
Although he had fought in World War II and had trained as a professional naval officer, Admiral Curtze disliked war - he had joined the Navy because of his interest in ships and the sea.
A man of honor and integrity, he and Admiral Brockett (USNA 1934) grew concerned over the political abuses they saw during the Vietnam War. In 1965, to protest these abuses, Admiral Brockett and Admiral Curtze requested early retirement despite being at the peak of their careers. Admiral Curtze officially retired on Dec 1, 1965.
The Admiral and his wife, Louise DeWolfe Vicary Curtze (1915 - 2006), designed and built the yacht Thule and enjoyed many years of sailing. Admiral Curtze also enjoyed literature, music, choral singing, skiing, sailing, fine craftsmanship, and animals.
In the last years of his life, Admiral Curtze spent time studying Biblical prophecy.
Louise died in 2006. Admiral Curtze died in his sleep at age 96 on Dec 27, 2007. He was survived by his two sons and four grandchildren.
Admiral Curtze was one of five natives of Erie, Pennsylvania in the twentieth century to attain flag rank in the U.S. Navy. Others included VADM Thomas R. Weschler (1917 - 2016), RADM John R. Johannesen (1901 - 1995), RADM Stephen E. Jones (1906 - 1997), RADM Denys W. Knoll (1907 - 1989).
The Admiral Charles A. Curtze Maritime Hall at Erie History Museum was named in his honor.
Charles attended Jones Elementary School, Gridley Middle School, and graduated from Central High School in 1928. He received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis Maryland and graduated with the Class of 1933 (Graduate # 10882). He received a commission as a civil engineering officer.
From 1934 to 1936 he served on board the USS New Mexico (BB-40), and from 1936 to 1937 he served on board the USS Gamble (DD-123).
Charles qualified as a member of the U.S. gymnastics team to the 1936 Olympics in Munich, Germany, but the security concerns of the U.S. State Department barred him from participating.
In 1939 he earned his master's degree in naval construction from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Charles was serving on board the USS St. Louis (CL-49) at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese struck the U.S. Pacific Fleet on Dec 7, 1941. He served in the Pacific during World War II.
After the war, he served as the engineering member of the first U.S. team in London with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). He later served as commanding officer the San Francisco Naval Shipyard. While in this assignment, he was selected for promotion to Rear Admiral. He was appointed Deputy Chief of the Bureau of Ships in Washington, DC under RADM William Alden Brockett, USN (1914 - 1984).
Although he had fought in World War II and had trained as a professional naval officer, Admiral Curtze disliked war - he had joined the Navy because of his interest in ships and the sea.
A man of honor and integrity, he and Admiral Brockett (USNA 1934) grew concerned over the political abuses they saw during the Vietnam War. In 1965, to protest these abuses, Admiral Brockett and Admiral Curtze requested early retirement despite being at the peak of their careers. Admiral Curtze officially retired on Dec 1, 1965.
The Admiral and his wife, Louise DeWolfe Vicary Curtze (1915 - 2006), designed and built the yacht Thule and enjoyed many years of sailing. Admiral Curtze also enjoyed literature, music, choral singing, skiing, sailing, fine craftsmanship, and animals.
In the last years of his life, Admiral Curtze spent time studying Biblical prophecy.
Louise died in 2006. Admiral Curtze died in his sleep at age 96 on Dec 27, 2007. He was survived by his two sons and four grandchildren.
Admiral Curtze was one of five natives of Erie, Pennsylvania in the twentieth century to attain flag rank in the U.S. Navy. Others included VADM Thomas R. Weschler (1917 - 2016), RADM John R. Johannesen (1901 - 1995), RADM Stephen E. Jones (1906 - 1997), RADM Denys W. Knoll (1907 - 1989).
The Admiral Charles A. Curtze Maritime Hall at Erie History Museum was named in his honor.
