Name: Curry GOLDEN
Rank / Rating: STM1-Steward's Mate First Class
Service #: 846 69 69
DOB: Oct 17, 1907
From: Whiteville, LA
Parents: Sandy and Eliah Golden
Went Aboard: Sep 07, 1943
Age When Ship Went Down: 37 years, 9 months, 13 days
Spouse: Thelma Forsythe Golden
Children:
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Admin
Date Posted:

Curry Golden was born 17 October 1907 in Whiteville, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. His father, Sandy, and mother Eliah Golden had three children. Curry was their youngest. His brother Sandy Jr. was three years older, and sister Hazel was two years older. According to the 1930 Census, the family members were all born in Louisiana and worked as farm laborers.

Curry Golden enlisted in the Navy on 9 July 1943 in Lafayette, Louisiana. He came aboard USS Indianapolis (CA-35) on 7 September 1943 from the receiving station in San Francisco as Steward’s Mate Second Class. He was promoted to Steward’s Mate First Class on 1 December 1943. Golden was part of the ship’s crew for eight of the ten battles for which Indy received Battle Stars for meritorious service, beginning with the Gilbert Islands Operation from 20 November to 8 December 1943. The Clarion-News from Opelousas, Louisiana published an article on 7 June 1945 about Golden fighting on the heavy cruiser Indianapolis. The article stated that Golden participated in “pounding the enemy at Okinawa to avenge the dark days of 1942.” He was 37 years old when the ship was sunk. Curry was married to Thelma Forsythe Golden. She passed away in 1991 at the age of 78. It appears from her death notice that she never remarried or had children. Curry Golden was Jewish. The National Jewish Welfare Board issued a death certificate to his widow Mrs. Thelma Forsythe Golden. The request was made 16 October 1945 and granted on 20 November 1945. Additional articles about Golden were published in The Weekly Town Talk (Alexandria, LA) newspaper. An article on 15 September 1945 acknowledged the death of Golden and the other shipmates who died-among them fellow steward’s mate first class and Louisiana native, Vasco Harper. Golden’s memory was honored in his community with the installment of the Curry Golden Post of the American Legion, the first all-black veterans’ group. With ample support from the community, it was officially activated in December 1946 and was open for several decades before closing. During the war years, Golden’s hometown of St. Landry Parish (Louisiana) published an Honor Roll book of men and women serving in the armed forces of the United States. The book is housed at the Opelousas Public Library. Curry Golden is profiled in the book, which reads, “StM 1/c Curley (sic) Golden, 37 years of age of Opelousas, La., is now presently located in San Francisco, Calif., serving with the US Navy. He entered the Navy on July 9, 1943, and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Sandy Golden. His wife is the former Miss Thelma Golden (sic). His travels have included the USA, Marianas, Tarawa, Okinawa, and the Marshall Islands. He was awarded a Good Conduct Medal and nine stars.”