Paul A. Curs

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Paul A. Curs, First Lieutenant, U.S. Air Force, for distinguished gallantry in action in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United States in Southeast Asia on 11 October 1971. On that date, Lieutenant Curs, as a forward air controller, came to the aid of a small long-range reconnaissance patrol which was being pursued by a numerically superior hostile force. Despite extremely bad weather of seven-eighths cloud coverage, low ceilings, and ground fog which ruled out the use of tactical aircraft and hostile automatic weapons fire directed at his aircraft, Lieutenant Curs made repeated passes with his marking rockets to allow the separated team members to break contact and set up defensive positions. He then directed the successful helicopter extraction of the beleaguered patrol with no loss of friendly lives. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Curs has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.