Steve Curtin grew up in Southern California in the city of Hawthorne with 2 brothers and 3 sisters. He enlisted in the US Army in 1966, and 2 years later arrived in Vietnam as an Army Aviator flying CH-47 Chinook helicopters. After Vietnam he held a variety of command and staff assignments in Aviation, Aircraft Maintenance/Test Pilot, and Traffic & Transportation Management retiring from active duty in May 1986. His military Awards and Decorations included the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, 2 Army Meritorious Service Medals, 21 Air Medals, 2 Army Commendations Medals, the Presidential Service Badge, Master Army Aviator Wings, and various overseas medals.
For the next 25 years Steve worked in aerospace, first with Northrop Corporation now Northrop Grumman, and then in 2000 with Lockheed Martin where he retired in the fall of 2011.
Steve became a Life Member of the VFW in 1991. Work and family commitments kept him from engaging as an active member. In 2013 Steve transferred into Tres Pueblos Post 7263 from Hawthorne Post 2075. He immediately became the Post Quartermaster, a position he held until becoming Post Commander in 2020. At the District level he has previously served as JVC and SVC prior to becoming District 12 Commander for the 2016 – 2017 year. Subsequent to that he still serves as District 12 Inspector and SOI Instructor. For the year 2023 – 2024 Steve has also been appointed the LE/FF/EMT Chairman for the Department of California.
Steve is a Life Member of the American Legion and the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA). Steve has 3 children and 3 stepchildren plus 7 grandchildren. His eldest son, Matthew, passed away unexpectedly in late June 2018 at the age of 48. He and his wife, Carolee, reside in Scotts Valley, Ca.