Edward Peck "Ted" Curtis was born on 14 January 1897 in
Rochester, New York to Mrs. G.T. Curtis. He was a graduate of
St. George's School in Rhode Island. He attended
Williams College, where he was a member of
the Kappa Alpha Society, before
dropping out to join the
American Field Service and driving an ambulance for the French Army in 1917. After the US entered the war, Curtis served with the
95th Aero Squadron becoming a
flying ace by winning six aerial victories. He specifically flew the
Nieuport 28. He shared his forth victory with leading ace
Eddie Rickenbacker. Curtis was awarded the
Distinguished Service Cross for a lone scouting flight far into enemy airspace. as Special Assistant to the U. S. President for Aviation Facilities Planning. Curtis realized that separate
air traffic control systems for military and civilians was impractical. Curtis was awarded the 1957
Robert J. Collier Trophy by the
National Aeronautic Association Curtis died on 13 March 1987 from pneumonia at age 90. ==See also==