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Admiral Maurice E. Curts, United States Navy, (1898-1976) was a former Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and heroic cruiser commander of World War II. He was awarded the Navy Cross and Silver Star Medal for extraordinary heroism while commanding the cruiser USS Columbia during the Leyte landings, the Battle of Suringao Strait, the Lingayen gulf landings, he continued to lead his cruiser in action despite the severe damage inflicted by two suicide planes which had left nearly 100 of his men dead or wounded. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he earned the Bronze Star Medal as Communications Officer, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Following the close of World War II, he was Force Commander, Operational Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; Assistant Chief of Naval Operations (Readiness); and Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, serving with great distinction until 13 January 1956. On this date, he was designated by the President as the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, serving until the arrival of his relief on 1 February 1958. A month later, he became Commander Western Sea Frontier, remaining until his retirement on 1 April 1960. Early naval service included duty as Officer in Charge, Radio and Sound, Naval Research Laboratory (June 1936 - May 1938) where he earned a commendation from the Secretary of the Navy for outstanding service in the development of radar.
USS Curts FFG-38 was the first ship named in his honor.
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28 June 1983: The Pacific Ocean - An aerial starboard bow view of Curts underway. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-83-11806 by John Graham from the Defense Visual Information Center) |
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1 August 1983: The Pacific Ocean - An aerial starboard bow view of Curts underway. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-83-11428 by Bath Iron Works from the DVIC) |
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1 August 1983: The Pacific Ocean - An aerial starboard quarter view of Curts underway. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-83-11996 by Todd-Pacific Shipyards Corp. from the DVIC) |
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1 August 1983: The Pacific Ocean - An aerial starboard quarter view of Curts underway. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-83-11998 by Todd-Pacific Shipyards Corp. from the DVIC) |
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1 August 1983: The Pacific Ocean - An aerial starboard beam view of Curts underway. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-83-11999 by Todd-Pacific Shipyards Corp. from the DVIC) |
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1 August 1983: The Pacific Ocean - An aerial starboard bow view of Curts underway. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-83-11997 by Todd-Pacific Shipyards Corp. from the DVIC) |
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9 September 1984: San Pedro CA - A starboard (forward section) view of Curts during an inclining test at Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-85-02796 from the DVIC) |
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9 September 1984: San Pedro CA - A starboard (amidships) view of Curts during an inclining test at Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-85-02797 from the DVIC) |
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9 September 1984: San Pedro CA - A starboard (amidships) view of Curts during an inclining test at Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. Note the Mark 15 Phalanx Close-In-Weapon-System (CIWS) mounted above the hangar bay. Also visible are the guided missile frigates USS Gary (FFG-51) and USS Ford (FFG-54). (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-85-02798 from the DVIC) |
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9 September 1984: San Pedro CA - A starboard (aft section) view of Curts during an inclining test at Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-85-02799 from the DVIC) |
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1 October 1987: The Persian Gulf - A starboard quarter view of Curts underway on patrol as part of a multinational force stationed in the region to safeguard shipping during the war between Iraq and Iran. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-93-00909 by PH1 Terry Cosgrove, from the DVIC) |
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1 October 1987: The Persian Gulf - A port quarter view of Curts underway on patrol as part of a multinational force stationed in the region to safeguard shipping during the war between Iraq and Iran. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-93-00910 by PH1 Terry Cosgrove from the DVIC) |
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1 November 1987: The Persian Gulf - Curts executes a high-speed maneuver while serving as an escort for the battleship USS Missouri (BB-63). (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-94-00425 by PH1 Terry Cosgrove from the DVIC) |
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1 March 1989: Pearl Harbor HI - Sailors man the rails aboard Curts as the vessel passes the USS Arizona Memorial. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-92-06794 by OS2 John Bouvia from the DVIC) |
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1 December 1989: The Pacific Ocean - Curts comes alongside the combat stores ship USNS Spica (T-AFS-9) for an underway replenishment of fuel. In addition to the Spica's crew, 150 dependents are aboard the ship for a dependent's day cruise. The Spica is based at U.S. Naval Station, Subic Bay, Philippines. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-90-04887 by PHC Carolyn E. Harris from the DVIC) |
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1 December 1989: The Pacific Ocean - Standing along the starboard side of the combat stores ship USNS Spica (T-AFS-9), dependents watch as fuel is transferred from the Spica to Curts. In addition to the Spica's crew, 150 dependents are aboard the ship for a dependent's day cruise. The Spica is based at U.S. Naval Station, Subic Bay, Philippines. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-90-04890 by PHC Carolyn E. Harris from the DVIC) |
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14 January 1991: The Persian Gulf - An Iraqi mine is detonated by an explosives ordnance disposal team near Curts during Operation Desert Storm. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-91-09317 by PH3 Brad Dillon from the DVIC) |
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6 February 1991: The Persian Gulf - Black smoke pours from the sinking remains of an Iraqi oil tanker that was struck by Allied firepower during Operation Desert Storm. The vessel was struck south of the Khauer Al Kafka oil terminal and survivors were captured and taken aboard Curts. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-92-07929 by PH2 Robert Clare from the Defense Visual Information Center) |
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April 1991: Hong Kong Harbor |
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April 1991: Hong Kong Harbor |
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April 1991: Hong Kong Harbor |
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7 February 1992: NavSta Subic Bay PI - The amphibious cargo ship USS Durham (LKA-114), foreground, passes Curts, background, as it departs from port following a one-week stay. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-92-06208 by PH2 M.C. Farrington from the DVIC) |
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16 November 1992: The Pacific Ocean - A port view of Curts departing for the Persian Gulf. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-93-00647 by PH1 Terry Cosgrove from the DVIC) |
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19 July 1998: The guided missile frigate Curts during the battlegroup exercise at RIMPAC 98. (US Navy photo #980719-N-3340H-001 by PH3 Christopher M. Hollaway, from the Navy Newstand) |
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26 June 2001: The Indian Ocean - The MK-75, 76mm automatic gun, fires off the starboard side of Curts during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Exercise 2001. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SD-03-08693 by PH1 Kevin Tierney from the DVIC) |
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3 July 2001: Singapore - Two US Navy, Curts and the nuclear powered attack submarine USS Los Angeles (SSN-688) berthed at a pier on Changi Naval Base, Singapore during the seventh annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Exercise 2001. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SD-03-09276 by PH2 Erin A. Zocco from the Defense Visual Information Center) |
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3 July 2001: Singapore - The US Navy guided missile frigate Curts at a pier on Changi Naval Base, Singapore during the seventh annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Exercise 2001. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SD-03-09278 by PH2 Erin A. Zocco from the DVIC) |
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12 June 2003: Gulf of Thailand - The Curts conducts training operations during the Thailand phase of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), which ran 6-13 June. Curts is homeported in San Diego. (US Marine Corps photo #030612-M-7403H-252 by Pfc. Thomas D. Hudzinski from the Navy News Stand) |
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17 July 2003: at sea - A BQM-74E aerial drone target is launched from the Curts. The drone was tracked by Republic of Singapore Navy ships as part of a missile exercise during the Singapore phase of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training. More than 1,500 U.S. and Singapore Armed Force personnel are taking part. (US Navy photo #030717-N-6274G-001 by Lt.j.g. Leonardo Giovannelli from the Navy News Stand) |
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18 July 2003: at sea - A 76mm round leaves the barrel of the gun mount aboard the Curts during a gunnery exercise. Curts fired the rounds at a freighter towed by a Republic of Singapore Navy ship during the Singapore phase of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training. (US Navy photo #030718-N-4178C-002 by JO1 Bruce Cummins from the Navy News Stand) |
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4 November 2005: San Diego - The Curts is guided into Naval Station San Diego with the help of a tugboat after passing underneath the Coronado Bridge. Curts is returning to Naval Station San Diego after an underway period off the coast of Southern California. (US Navy photo #051104-N-9866B-011 by JO2 Zack Baddorf from the Navy News Stand) |
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