Elmer A. Curry collection

Elmer Ames Curry, born April 6, 1915, in Cheyenne, Wyoming, was a Technical Sergeant with the 3164th Signal Service Company in the Army. Notable events during Curry’s service include his attendance at Pomona College and assignments at Camp Crowder; Honolulu, Hawaii; Guam; and the Marianas.

Drafted into the U.S. Army in October 1942, Curry attended Pomona College in California as part of Unit 3921. While there, Curry learned Spanish and European history and participated in the Army Specialized Training Program from 1943 to 1944. Following his time at Pomona College, Curry left for Camp Kohler in Sacramento, California. On March 17, 1944, he was stationed at Camp Crowder in Neosho, Missouri, departing on October 4 for Honolulu, Hawaii. On November 6, 1944, Curry was officially inducted into the Army, and later that month, he left for Guam on November 26.

In Guam, Curry served at the CINCPAC area with the 3164th Signal Service Company. Initially responsible for the Agana switchboard, he later served as the assistant to Lt. Steitz, the Traffic Controller of Guam, and then Second Lt. Crain. During his time in Guam, Curry assisted in building a telephone system for communication between airfields and harbor locations. Additionally, he supervised and trained local women to be switchboard operators.

In 1946, Curry was stationed in the Marianas as a Technical Sergeant in the 3164th Signal Service Company. He was discharged on January 18, 1946. In recognition of his service, Curry received the following decorations: the American Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.

Curry was married to Dorothy Curry. He died in 2003 in southern California.