Don Kurth
Donald J. Kurth, Jr. (born April 26, 1949) is a physician, businessowner, educator, and former mayor of the City of Rancho Cucamonga, California (2006-2011). He was elected President of the Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce in 1994, Director of the Cucamonga County Water District in 1996, appointed to the Rancho Cucamonga City Council in 2002, and elected mayor of Rancho Cucamonga on November 7, 2006.
Early life
Donald James Kurth, Jr. was born in Newport, Rhode Island where his father, also named Donald James Kurth, was stationed in the United States Navy. Don’s father and mother, Isabelle, both served in the hospital corps in the Navy throughout World War II. His mother taught Navy carrier pilots how to use oxygen masks for high altitude missions. His father served on the famous and highly decorated heavy cruiser, the USS New Orleans, in many battles including Pearl Harbor, Coral Sea, Midway, Eastern Solomons and Tassafaronga. During the night Battle of Tassafaronga in November 1942, the New Orleans engaged the famous “Tokyo Express” troop convoy which was supplying troops and supplies to block the United States Marine invasion of Gaudalcanal.
