Major Curtis D. Feistner was born on 7 November 1967 and is a native of White Bear Lake, Minnesota. He died in an over water helicopter crash on 22 February 2002 while on a training mission in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

MAJ Feistner was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in Aviation upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1990 where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Systems Engineering.

MAJ Feistner's assignments included Flight Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, and Flight Operations Officer in Bravo Company, 214th Aviation Regiment at Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii.

MAJ Feistner arrived at the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborned) in June 1995. He served in 2nd Battalion at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, as Alpha Company Platoon Leader, Headquarters and Headquarters Company Commander, Assistant Battalion S-3, and interim Battalion S-3 (during Operation SOUTHERN WATCH). MAJ Feistner assumed command of Echo Company, 160th SOAR(Abn) in Taegu, Korea, in August 2000 and later deployed his unit to multiple locations across the Pacific Command in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

MAJ Feistner's military education includes the Aviation Officer Basic Course, the Aviation Officer Advanced Course, and the Combined Arms Services and Staff School. He was rated in the OH-6, UH-1, CH-47D, and MH-47E helicopters.

Major Feistner's awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (w/1 OLC), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Senior Army Aviator Badge, and Parachutist Badges to include British, French, Italian and Mexican Wings. MAJ Feistner was posthumously awarded the Legion of Merit and the Air Medal.

MAJ Feistner is survived by his mother, Arlene, and brothers, Alan and Bruce. He is laid to rest in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Section 1, Site 1710. The Special Operations Aviation Training Battalion (SOATB) headquarters, building #7269, on GEN Brown Compound is dedicated in his honor as Feistner Hall.