Initially assigned to 8AF as A-20 bomber pilot, completed 25 x missions on type. Transferred to IX Troop Carrier Command, 9AF USAAF as Operations officer. Co-piloted lead aircraft [C-47 42-93098] of lead serial to drop pathfinder paratroops at zone A, St-Germain-de-Varrevill, France on D-day 6-Jun-44.



WWII brought Vito Pedone and Jerry Curtis to England in 1943 to successfully prepare and execute a critical mission: "D-Day". The many months to build-up American forces and prepare for D-day provided the opportunity for them to meet and fall in love. They were stationed at different air bases, so Vito would pilot various aircraft to visit Jerry at her base! They were married in England in 1943. They both would successfully execute their assigned D-Day missions:

- Vito's : the Airborne Invasion of Normandy

- Jerry's: the Medical Air Evacuation of the wounded from Normandy back to England.



Their full story can be found in "The D-Day Pilot and Flight Nurse" by Stephen Pedone.



Awards: DFC, LOM, AM (5OLC), WWII Victory, EAME, Defense, National Defense, Korean and UN medal.



Post War: Remained in USAF, from 46-50 in South Pacific testing a-bombs. Later flying 135 combat missions in B-26 and C-47's supporting US army special forces units in Vietnam conflict. Re-assigned as a F-105 Starfighter pilot 41st air division, 5th AF in Japan. Rose to rank of Colonel by his retirement in 1973.