Robert F. Curtis

Robert F. Curtis was born in Middletown, Ohio, in 1949, making him exactly the right age to be drafted for the Vietnam War. After dropping out of high school twice, he passed the general educational development exam, giving him enough educational qualifications to gain entry into the Army's Warrant Officer Candidate program. There he learned to fly, starting him on the path to a military career as an aviator in the Army, National Guard, and Marine Corps, and as an exchange officer with the British Royal Navy. After service in Vietnam he attended the University of Kentucky, graduating with honors with a bachelor's degree in political science. Later, while serving at Naval Air Systems Command in Washington, D.C., Robert completed a master's degree in procurement and acquisition management at Webster University.

Robert is an FAA certified commercial pilot in both helicopters and gyroplanes. His military awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and twenty-three Air Medals.