n January 2003, Curtis Smith, formerly a medic with D Co., 506th PIR, 101st Airborne, was interviewed about his experiences with D Co. during World War II. Smith was wounded in Bastogne, though he stayed with his company throughout the war. In his recollections about the siege of Bastogne, he reports that he witnessed Joe Fry hung up on his burning C-47 over the LZ. Smith says he saw Fry’s shroud lines tangled up on the tail section of his ill-fated C-47, and “I said, ‘Oh, no, this guy’s going down with this plane, and it’s on fire.’” When Fry was blown loose and parachuted into the snow, Smith recalls that he was the first trooper who reached him. He said that Fry had specks of melted aluminum on his clothing and some on his face, and though he needed first aid, he refused it. “He wasn't going to be still for first aid.” He wanted to know “if his buddy had made it down and I said he’s over there and he’s OK.” Smith said Fry asked where the company headquarters was. Smith said that Fry and the other crew member—possibly the crew chief—got out of their chutes and started off toward the HQ.

The interview was conducted by Dan Potter, son of George L. Potter, Jr., a veteran of E Co., 506th PIR. George Potter joined E Company in February 1943 and fought throughout the war in the many battles in which this company was engaged. He remained in E. Co. until November 1945. George Potter and his stick made their Normandy jump from Chalk 69, flown by 2L Clifford L. Savercool and 2L Paul H. Wachter and crew, 91st TCS, 439th Troop Carrier Group. Curtis Smith and his company also jumped from a 439th aircraft into Normandy, though we do not have specific information on his stick number.