Robert Edward Curtin
Captain Robert E. Curtin was a Marine Corps pilot who flew with VMF-221.
He was shot down and reported missing in the battle of Midway on 4 June 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number O-5857
Current Status
Remains not recovered.
Pursuit Category
Based on circumstances of loss, this individual is considered permanently non-recoverable.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth*
June 18, 1915
at Othello, WA
Parents
John Stephen Curtin (d. 1937)
Martha (Kohlenberger) Curtin
Education
College graduate
(details unknown)
Occupation & Employer
Professional Marine
*as Edward Robert Curtin
Service Life
Entered Service
May 16, 1938 (enlisted)
February 25, 1941 (officer)
Home Of Record
New York, NY
Next Of Kin
Wife, Mrs. Elizabeth P. Curtin
Military Specialty
Pilot
Engineering Officer
Primary Unit
VMF-221
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Captain Robert Curtin was a Marine Corps fighter pilot assigned to VMF-221. His squadron was based at Midway Island in early 1942; like most of his comrades, Curtin flew an outdated F2A-3 “Buffalo.” He led the squadron’s 4 Division – which consisted only of Curtin and 2Lt. Darrell D. Irwin – and while on the ground served as -221’s engineering officer
At 0600 hours on 4 June 1942, Major Floyd B. Parks led the squadron aloft to intercept a large group of Japanese fighters and bombers bearing down on Midway. Curtin and Irwin followed immediately behind Parks’ 1 Division, and after about twenty minutes spotted an enemy bomber formation heading their way. According to Irwin, 1 Division made an overhead approach on the bombers, with 4 Division on their tails. After the initial pass, Irwin lost sight of Curtin and never saw the division leader or his F2A-3 #01520 again.
There are no eyewitness accounts of Curtin’s demise; he failed to return to Midway, and was reported as missing in action. On 5 June 1943, Curtin was officially declared dead.
Burial Information or Disposition
Shot down at sea; remains not recovered.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of wife, Mrs. Elizabeth (Rumrill) Curtin.
Prior to Robert’s death, Elizabeth lived in Coronado, California.
Location Of Loss
Curtin was shot down at an unspecified point after departing from Midway.
