DANIA BEACH, FL, USA U.S. Army 1SG, COMPANY D, 1ST BATTALION, 503D INFANTRY, VICENZA, IT SAROBI DISTRICT, AFGHANISTAN 07/23/2007
Michael Curry Jr. who was born in Florida on November 14, 1969 and passed away on July 23, 2007 at the age of 37. We will remember him forever.
Michael was the second of four children (Keisha, Niki and Lavette) born to Michael and Gloria Curry in Hollywood, Fla. Michael grew up in a large and loving family and at an early age he knew exactly what path his life would take. Michael attended the schools of Broward County and graduating from Hollywood Hills High in June of 1987.
Upon graduation Michael began his military life by enlisting in the U.S. Army in August of 1987. He went on to have a distinguished career, serving in numerous hot spots around the world from Desert Storm to Iraq to Afghanistan. Through the course of his distinguished service, he rose through the ranks to become First Sergeant. Those who served with him referred to him as a “Solider’s Solider.”
He began his career with the 3-325th Airborne Battaloin Combat Team in Vincenza, Italy; he later served as a Ranger Instructor in Fort Benning, Georgia, before returning to Vicenza as a weapons squad leader, S-3 Air NCO and a platoon sergeant in 1-508th IN. Next, he was assigned as a platoon sergeant in 2-75th IN at FL. Lewis, Washington, where he became the G-3 transformation NCOIC, I Corps. In 2002, he returned to Vincenza as a paltoon sergeant in the 2-503rd IN, as Battalion Operations Sergeant during OIF 1, and as Brigade Operations sergeant during OEF VI. In May 2006, he was assigned as the First Sergeant of Delta Company, 1-503 IN. He served as ISG for over a year before deploying in support of OEF VIII.
Michael’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal(10LC), Meritorious Service Medal (10LC), Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), Army Achievment Medal (3 OLC, Good Conduct Medal 6th Award, NAtional Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Campaign medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2 OLC), Global War On Terrisom Expeditionary Medal w/Arrowhead, Global War on Terror Service Medal, NATO Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NCO Professional Deveplment Ribbon (3), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (5), Kuwait Liberation Medal, Combat Action Badge, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantyman’s Badge, Expert Infantyman’s Badge, and Master Combat Parachutist’s Badge.
Michael is survived by his wife Lucia and sons Taylor (age 13) and Kevin (age 9), five sisters, Keisha(Ron), Niki(Glen), Lavette, Georgette and Danielle, two brothers Jeffrey (Ruby) and David, paternal grandfather; Dennis Curry, Sr., maternal grandmother Louise Small, paternal great- grandmother; Zadie Thompson, seven nephews , three neices , nine aunts, four uncles, over forty cousins, and a host of friends and fellow soliders, both stateside and abroad. He will be missed by family and friends alike.
He was a soilder’s solider, a gentlemen, a hero, and a friend. He fought for our country and made a way for us to continue our freedom in this great nation. Good Bye First Sergeant Curry, “you did not die in vain and we will never forget you