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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:green">Another bit of WW II history that's mostly unknown...</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#423C30">The Story of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">“</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:red">Bad
Angel</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">”<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#423C30">at
Pima Air & Space Museum</span></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></b><span style="color:black"><a href="http://maxcdn.devildogproducti.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Bad-Angel-01.jpg?iv=239" target="_blank" title="http://maxcdn.devildogproducti.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Bad-Angel-01.jpg?iv=239"><b><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#003366;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="502" height="360" id="_x0000_i1025" src="http://maxcdn.devildogproducti.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Bad-Angel-01-502x360.jpg" alt="http://maxcdn.devildogproducti.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Bad-Angel-01.jpg?iv=239"></span></i></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929"> P-51 Mustang “</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:red">Bad
Angel</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">” in Hangar #4,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929"> Pima Air & Space Museum</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">Proudly displayed on the fuselage of “</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:red">Bad
Angel</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">” were the markings of the pilot's kills:
<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">seven Nazis; one Italian; one Japanese AND ONE AMERICAN.
<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">“</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:red">Bad
Angel</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">” shot down an American airplane?</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></b><span style="color:black"><a href="http://maxcdn.devildogproducti.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Kill-Insignias-Close-01.jpg?iv=239" target="_blank" title="http://maxcdn.devildogproducti.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Kill-Insignias-Close-01.jpg?iv=239"><b><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#003366;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="504" height="360" id="_x0000_i1026" src="http://maxcdn.devildogproducti.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Kill-Insignias-Close-01-504x360.jpg" alt="http://maxcdn.devildogproducti.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Kill-Insignias-Close-01.jpg?iv=239"></span></i></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929"> Kill markings on “</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:red">Bad
Angel</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">”<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">Was it a terrible mistake? Couldn’t be. If it had been an unfortunate misjudgment,</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">certainly the pilot would not have displayed the American flag.</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">There had to be a good story here. One of the Museum’s many fine docents</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">are on hand to tell it as follows, below...</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929"> **********************</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">In 1942, the United States needed pilots for its war planes, lots of war planes;
lots of pilots.</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">Lt. Louis Curdes was one. When he was 22 years old, he graduated flight training
school</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">and was shipped off to the Mediterranean to fight Nazis in the air over Southern
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929"> Lt. Louis Curdes</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">He arrived at his 82nd Fighter Group, 95th Fighter Squadron in April 1943 and was
assigned</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">a P-38 Lightning. Ten days later he shot down three German Messerschmitt Bf-109
fighters.</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">A few weeks later, he downed two more German Bf -109's. In less than a month of
combat,</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">Louis was an Ace.</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">During the next three months, Louis shot down an Italian Mc-202 fighter and two
more</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">Messerschmitt’s before his luck ran out. A German fighter shot down his plane on</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">August 27, 1943 over Salerno, Italy.</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">Captured by the Italians, he was sent to a POW camp near Rome. No doubt this is
where he</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">thought he would spend the remaining years of the war. It wasn't to be. A few
days later,</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">the Italians surrendered. Louis and a few other pilots escaped before the Nazis
could take</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">control of the camp.</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">One might think that such harrowing experiences would have taken the fight out of
Louis,</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">yet he volunteered for another combat tour. This time, Uncle Sam sent him to the
Philippines</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">where he flew P-51 Mustangs.</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">Soon after arriving in the Pacific Theater, Louis downed a Mitsubishi reconnaissance
plane</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">near Taiwan. Now he was one of only three Americans to have kills against all three
Axis Powers:</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">Germany, Italy, and Japan.</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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</div>
<div>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;color:black">
<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></b><span style="color:black"><a href="http://maxcdn.devildogproducti.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Curtis-in-Bad-Angel.jpg?iv=239" target="_blank" title="http://maxcdn.devildogproducti.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Curtis-in-Bad-Angel.jpg?iv=239"><b><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#003366;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="300" height="212" id="_x0000_i1028" src="http://maxcdn.devildogproducti.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Curtis-in-Bad-Angel-300x212.jpg" alt="http://maxcdn.devildogproducti.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Curtis-in-Bad-Angel.jpg?iv=239"></span></i></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">Pilot Lt. Louis Curdes in his P-51 Mustang “</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:red">Bad
Angel</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">”<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
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</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">Up until this point, young Lt. Curdes’ combat career had been stellar. His story
was about to take</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">a twist so bizarre that it seems like the fictional creation of a Hollywood screenwriter.</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">While attacking the Japanese-held island of Batan, one of Louis wingmen was shot
down.</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">The pilot ditched in the ocean. Circling overhead, Louis could see that his wingman
had survived,</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">so he stayed in the area to guide a rescue plane and protect the downed pilot.</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
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<div>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">It wasn’t long before he noticed another, larger airplane, wheels down, preparing
to land at the</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">Japanese-held airfield on Batan. He moved in to investigate. Much to his surprise
the approaching</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">plane was a Douglas C-47 Skytrain transport with American markings.</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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</div>
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<div>
<div>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">He tried to make radio contact, but without success. He maneuvered his Mustang
in front of the</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">big transport several times trying to wave it off. The C-47 kept to its landing
target.</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">Lt. Curdes read the daily newspaper accounts of the war, including the viciousness
of the Japanese</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">soldiers toward their captives. He knew that whoever was in that American C-47
would be, upon</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">landing, either dead or wish they were. But what could he do?</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">Audaciously, he lined up his P-51 directly behind the transport, carefully sighted
one of his .50 caliber</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">machine guns and knocked out one of its two engines. Still the C-47 continued on
toward the Batan</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">airfield. Curdes shifted his aim slightly and knocked out the remaining engine,
leaving the baffled</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">pilot no choice but to ditch in the ocean.</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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</div>
<div>
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<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;color:black">
<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></b><span style="color:black"><a href="http://maxcdn.devildogproducti.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Machine-Gun.jpg?iv=239" target="_blank" title="http://maxcdn.devildogproducti.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Machine-Gun.jpg?iv=239"><b><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#003366;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="503" height="360" id="_x0000_i1029" src="http://maxcdn.devildogproducti.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Machine-Gun-503x360.jpg" alt="http://maxcdn.devildogproducti.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Machine-Gun.jpg?iv=239"></span></i></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">One of “</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:red">Bad
Angel’s</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">” .50 caliber machine guns built into it wings.</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
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</div>
<div>
<div>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">The big plane came down in one piece about 50 yards from his bobbing wingman.</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">At this point, nightfall and low fuel forced Louis to return to base.</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">The next morning, Louis flew cover for a rescuing PBY Catalina Flying Boat that
picked</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">up the downed Mustang pilot and 12 passengers and crew, including two female nurses,</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<div>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">from the C-47; all survived.</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;color:black">
<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></b><span style="color:black"><a href="http://maxcdn.devildogproducti.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Ammunition-Cal-50.jpg?iv=239" target="_blank" title="http://maxcdn.devildogproducti.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Ammunition-Cal-50.jpg?iv=239"><b><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#003366;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="300" height="214" id="_x0000_i1030" src="http://maxcdn.devildogproducti.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Ammunition-Cal-50-300x214.jpg" alt="http://maxcdn.devildogproducti.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Ammunition-Cal-50.jpg?iv=239"></span></i></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">.50 caliber ammo for P-51 Mustangs</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">For shooting down an unarmed American transport plane, Lt. Louis Curdes was awarded
the</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">Distinguished Flying Cross. Thereafter, on the fuselage of his P-51 “</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:red">Bad
Angel</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">,” he proudly</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
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<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#292929">displayed the symbols of his kills: seven German, one Italian, one Japanese and
one American flag.</span></i></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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</blockquote>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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</blockquote>
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