After winning an Olympic bronze medal in 1932, Frank Kurtz, of the Los Angeles AC, placed fifth at the 1936 Games. He also won the AAU platform title in 1933. During World War II, as the senior air aide to General George Brett, Major Frank Kurtz was the pilot of the historic B-17D Flying Fortress bomber, “The Swoose,” which is now on display in the Smithsonian. He was the Commander of the 463rd Bombardment Group (Heavy), in the 15th Air Force. As pilot of The Swoose, Kurtz set a new flying record in 1942 when he took the plane from Brisbane, Australia to San Francisco in 36 hours and 10 minutes. For his efforts during the war, Frank Kurtz eventually reached the rank of colonel and was awarded numerous medals, including awarded the Croix de Guerre, three Silver Stars, three Air Medals, five Presidential Citations, and three Distinguished Flying Cross, one with an Oak Leaf Cluster. Kurtz was the father of actress Swoosie Kurtz, who was named after his plane.
United States