ASSOCIATION

USS CURTISS ASSOCIATION STAFF

In 1979 Reynold (Andy) Anderson, BMC, decided he would like to get some of his old Curtiss shipmates together. He mailed to those whose addresses he had and held a reunion in the Little Creek Virginia Amphibious Base. About 19 Shipmates and their wives attended. In December of 1980 in Orlando, Florida, Andy again got to work and set up another Curtiss reunion. This one was held at the NTC CPO Club in Orlando. 25 to 30 fellows and their wives attended.

During this reunion a business meeting was held and it was decided to try to expand the group by organizing and making an effort to contact more of our shipmates. Frank and Rosemary Pavlu took the list of 117 names that was provided by Andy and mailed out a questionnaire asking if there was an interest in having another reunion. A very favorable response resulted, so they went ahead and set up a reunion for September of 1982 in San Diego, California. By publishing the reunion notices in several military magazines, and the aid of Admiral Patterson a roster rapidly grew to the present which now includes over 1,160 names and addresses of officers, men, flag and squadron personnel.

At San Diego 124 shipmates and their wives attended. A business meeting was held and it was decided to form an association

OLIVER

The first officers elected were: Harold Oliver, President; Bill Schofield, Vice President; Frank Pavlu, Secretary-Treasurer.

George H Freese joined the association Jan. 1, 1983 as no. 89. George became V.P. upon the resignation of Bill [ he had moved to AR] in 1985. George assumed the office of President upon the demise of Hal Oliver April 21, 1995. Cliff Gomes was appointed V.P. at that time. George & Cliff were duly elected at the 1995 meeting. Cliff joined the association March 7,1983 as no.145. At the 1998 "Alaskan Cruise" meeting , the present board was elected.

BILL SCHOFIELD

As the roster grew the cost of mailing the newsletter became very expensive, and so, Frank applied for and received tax-exempt status for our association which helps make it possible to continue sending out newsletters on a timely basis. We are very proud of our organization and we thank Andy Anderson, the father of our association for getting us started.

But without people such as Frank and Rosemary Pavlu who followed through and carried the ball for 18 years, the Curtiss Association would not exist today. We thank the Pavlu's for their outstanding job and extraordinary devotion in keeping the USS Curtiss family together.

As was noted the association maintains records of almost 1300 former shipmates. New members will receive a copy of our 73 page Roster as well as the quarterly newsletter - which up-dates addresses, phone numbers, E-mail addresses and information about up-coming reunions. We only have about 200 active dues paying members at this time and would certainly like to have a greater percentage of participation. The annual dues are only $15.00. If you'd like to join, please contact:

Joe Connolly, Sec-Treas, E-MAIL

4273 Amber Dr,

Eagan, MN 55122-2059

Phone 651/ 454-4378

The association has held reunions in different parts of the country since 1982.

For further information please go to the reunion page.

ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBERS

The President:

John Ekstadt served aboard the Curtiss 1951-1955 as a MM3 in M Division. John has been a member of the Assn. since 1983. He makes his home in Lakeville, Mn. with his wife Joyce

The 1st Vice President:

Clif Gomes, Served aboard the Curtiss1951-1954 as a Lieutenant and Chief Engineering Officer. Clif has been a member of the Assn. since 1982. He makes his home in Lemon Grove, Ca. with his wife, Alice.

The 2nd Vice President:

Kenneth (Ken) Hendrickson served aboard the Curtiss 1951-1955 as a ME2 in R Division. Ken has been a member of the Assn. since 1993. He makes his home in St. Paul, Mn. with his wife Sally.

Secretary Treasurer

Joe Connolly served aboard the Curtiss 1945-1947 as a SK2 in GSK and small stores. Joe has been a member of the Assn. since 1986. He makes his home in Eagan, Mn. with his wife Joyce

Chaplain

Ronald (Ron) Webb served aboard the Curtiss from 1953-1955 as a MM2 in M Division. Ron has been a member of the Assn. since 2000. He makes his home in Garden Grove, CA. with his wife Carole.

Historian & Webmaster

Charles (Bud) Norris served aboard the Curtiss in 1953-1955 as a DC2 in R Division. Bud has been a member of the Assn. since 1998. He makes his home in Orange, CA.

Offical Reunion Photogragher

Dick Landsman was aboard the Curtiss from '52 to '54, was a AMM/2,and was first in the 2nd and later the V Division.Dick has been a member of the association since 1995.Dick has been a member of the association since 1995. He and his wifePriscilla make their home in Centerville, South Dakota.