D.C. Curtis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vice Admiral
D.C. Curtis
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Vice Admiral D.C. Curtis, official USN photograph 2009
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| Born | December 13, 1953 Japan |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1976–2011 |
| Rank |  Vice Admiral |
| Commands held | Naval Surface Forces Naval Surface Force, Atlantic Naval Surface Group 2 Carrier Strike Group 11 Destroyer Squadron 14 USS Wainwright (CG-28) USS Donald B. Beary (FFT-1085) |
| Battles/wars | Operation Enduring Freedom |
| Awards | Legion of Merit Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal |
| Alma mater | |
Derwood Clayiborne Curtis (born December 13, 1953) is a retired Vice Admiral in the United States Navy. A Vice Admiral is a very high-ranking officer, like a general in the army, but for the navy. He was in charge of all Naval Surface Forces for the U.S. Pacific Fleet from March 2008 to June 2011. This means he led many ships and sailors in the Pacific Ocean.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Derwood Curtis was born in Japan in 1953 and grew up in Chicago. He went to the United States Naval Academy, which is a special college for people who want to become officers in the Navy. He graduated in 1976 with a degree in political science. After graduating, he went to a special school in Newport, Rhode Island, to learn how to be a surface warfare officer.
Life at Sea: Commands and Missions
Throughout his career, Admiral Curtis had many important jobs on ships and at naval bases. He served on several ships, including the USS Moinester, USS Thorn, and USS Dahlgren.
He was the leader, or "commanding officer," of two ships:
- USS Wainwright (CG-28)
- USS Donald B. Beary (FFT-1085)
He also led larger groups of ships, like Destroyer Squadron 14 and Naval Surface Group 2. One of his biggest commands was leading Carrier Strike Group 11, which is a powerful group of ships centered around an aircraft carrier.
Important Roles on Land
Admiral Curtis also had many important jobs on land. He worked at the U.S. Naval Academy, helping to train new officers. He also worked in offices that planned for new ships and naval operations. He even served as a special assistant to the Secretary of the Navy, who is a very important leader in the Navy. His last big job was being the commander of the Naval Surface Force, Atlantic. In this role, he made sure that all the Navy's surface ships were ready for action.
Awards and Achievements
Admiral Curtis received many awards for his excellent service in the Navy. Some of his top awards include:
- Legion of Merit
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Navy Commendation Medal
- Navy Achievement Medal
These awards show how dedicated and brave he was during his time serving the country.
Continued Learning
Even after his initial training, Admiral Curtis continued to learn and grow. He earned a Master of Science degree from Central Michigan University. He also attended advanced courses at the National Defense University and the NATO Defense College, which are places where military leaders learn about national defense and international cooperation.
