Curtis had a long and interesting career in the Navy. One of the highlights was being aboard the USS Trenton in the summer of 1927 when the ship sailed to Paris, France to return Charles Lindbergh to the U.S. after his solo flight across the Atlantic. He served with the 4th Marines in Shanghai, China during the Sino-Japanese outbreak in 1933. He had sea duty on many well-known ships such as the USS Nevada, the USS Arizona, and the USS Northhampton. He served several tours of shore duty in San Diego, California, Great Lakes, Illinois, Omaha, Nebraska to mention a few. During the Second World War he served on an attack transport and took part in 4 invasions in the Pacific operation, earning 4 Battle Stars. He was discharged March 11, 1947, and was recalled to active duty January 17, 1951 for the Korean War. His final discharge was January 12, 1955 as a Chief Petty Officer, Pharmacist Mate.

After his discharge from the navy, Curtis worked for several years at Ft. Jackson Army Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina. In the mid-1960's he and Bessie returned to Marshall, MO to be close to their families, and Curtis died in Marshall Dec. 13, 1983. He is buried in Ridge Park Cemetery in Marshall, MO.