Curtis Ralph Hall - OurWarHeroes.org - Tribute sites by Q Madp

Curtis Ralph Hall

Burley, Idaho

April 6, 2007

Age

Military

Rank

Unit/Location

Navy

EOD2

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit Eleven

Whidbey Island, Washington

Killed by enemy action while conducting combat operations near Kirkuk, Iraq.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal 2nd Class (Diver) Hall was assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit 11, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington. Hall died from enemy action while conducting combat operations near Kirkuk. At the age of 14, Curtis was already a hero. During a rafting trip on the Salmon River with a group of Boy Scouts, a severe microburst caused a boulder to come loose from the mountainside and hit his father, Ron, on the head. It also injured Curtis' arm. The impact knocked Ron out of the boat and unconscious. Curtis jumped in, despite his own injury, and with his brother Randy's help; they pulled their dad out of the water. The brothers' heroism was recognized by the Boy Scouts of America with both receiving the Honor Medal for saving a life with personal risk. Curtis earned his Eagle Scout rank, at age 16. The lanky, 6 foot 7 inch basketball player graduated from Burley High School in 2000. He was mischievous and so were his friends but he enjoyed playing the piano, trombone, guitar, marching band and singing in Bel Cantos. Curtis joined the Navy and his unit was responsible for the identification, safe rendering and disposal of explosive devices like roadside bombs. It was his second tour of duty and would have ended in July. Curtis loved to tease and play but he always knew where the line was. He would crack jokes and just make people laugh. He phoned home the night before his death. He wished his mom a happy birthday and talked with his sisters. Curtis joked about the food and said he was tired, that he'd been working 36-40 hours and that he was going to take a hot shower, eat some hot food and sleep a couple of hours before going to work again. He loved life, was content, happy and was where he wanted to be. Curtis had this to say about himself -

About me:
i'm pretty laid back. i like to jump on the harley and take off for a weekend. i'm in the navy and enjoying the work and challenges. originally from idaho. good music with some good friends and i'm set. i plan to retire by the time i'm 40 and move to tahiti.