PETER FRANKLIN CURETON, JR.

The Citadel Class of:	1940
Cadet Company:	E (Source: Sphinx 1937), G (Sphinx 1939)
Age:	25
Born:	4-Jun-19
Hometown:	Greenville County, South Carolina
Family:	Peter Cureton, Sr. (father), Josephine Dickson Cureton (mother), Josephine Hester Cureton (sister)
Rank:	First Lieutenant
Branch of Service:	U.S. Army Air Forces
Servicenumber:	0-395681
Entered the Service from:	South Carolina
Function:	Pilot
Company – Squadron:	427th Bomber Squadron
Unit – Group:	303rd Bomber Group, Heavy
Plane data:	B-17G 43-38705 B, no nickname, MACR 11199
(Serialnumber, MACR, etc.)
Date of death:	21-Nov-44
Status:	KIA
Place of death:	Merseburg, Germany
Spot:	Frankleben
Awards:	Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart
Gravenumber:	Plot E Row 8 Grave 9
Cemetery:	Lorraine   American Cemetery
Biography:	not available
Other information:	Business Administration major, member Calliopean Literary Society. – Source: Sphinx 1939  “The ‘Reverend,’ as he was fondly called by his friends, was a unique animal among The Citadel collection. Although he was never known to do anything really bad, he was not above the common herd and was able to enjoy a good bull session with the frankness of a layman. Although he has remained a faithful ‘Nubbist’ all these years, he was able to see a few good points in the other departments and even a few errors in his own field. With his friendliness and cheerful disposition, he should go far. Watch out for the women, ‘Reverend,’ and lots of luck to you.” – Source: 1940 Sphinx, South Carolina Corps of Cadets, Charleston, S.C. Attended The University of the South at Sewanee as a special student in the academic year 1940 – 1941. He took basics courses – English, History, Greek, and Public Speaking. He was a member of Acolyte Guild and a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity. – Source: Cap and Gown 1941 [includes yearbook photo] 1Lt Cureton and his crew took off from Molesworth, England. The target was Merseburg, Germany. While over Merseburg, they experienced “intense and accurate” anti-aircraft gunfire. An eyewitness recalled the B-17’s “#3 engine was on fire with flames streaming back to tail. #2 engine reported to caught fire as A/C went down.” The heavy bomber “slid off to right away from formation, losing altitude at same time. Salvoed bombs at about 18,500 feet. A/C seemed to be under control.” “Eight and possibly nine” parachutes were reported to have been seen. The entire crew of 9 was initially reported as MIA. Later the record was updated to record 8 KIA and 1 POW. According to German records the plane crashed at 1140 at Frankleben, Nine Otte Tannenberg with 8 of the crew dead. The 21 November raid was Lt. Cureton’s 28th mission and his third trip to Merseburg. – Source: MACR 11199, NARA

Sources: American Battle Monuments Commission, The Citadel Archive & Museum, Mike Stannard ’65, Sphinx 1937/39/40, Registrar’s Office University of The South, Greenville County SC Archives, Find A Grave.com

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