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Frank Kurtz, Class of 1929 is April 2002, "Kewpie of the Month"
Col. Kurtz, who came from Missouri, became known for flying the last of the 35 B-17 Flying Fortress planes stationed in the Pacific. When the plane was chewed up in combat, Col. Kurtz and his crew dubbed it "part swan and part goose -- The Swoose." After flying the big plane home, Col. Kurtz went to the European theater, where he headed "the Swoose Group" and personally flew more than 60 missions over Italy and Germany. Among survivors are his wife, author Margo Kurtz and
daughter, actress Swoosie Kurtz.
A Group Lead Crew Back From Piombino, Italy Mission April 28, 1944. Standing, second from left, E. J. Campbell, Navigator; third from left, Fred Higginbotham. Kneeling, second from left, Frank Kurtz, Group CO; fourth from left, Emerson Tolle, Pilot. Others are unidentified. Photo courtesy of Tom Stevenson, 772nd
Born: September 6, 1944 Omaha, Nebraska Swoosie was an "Air Force" brat growing up. She lived in 17 cities and attended eight schools. Swoosie majored in drama at the University of Southern California (USC). After school in California, she studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. Her performance in "The Fifth of July" won Swoosie what Broadway considers its' "Triple Crown," the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards. She was named after the WWII Air Force plane "Swoose," half-swan, half-goose. Her father flew that type of plane during the war. Her father was the most decorated fighter pilot of WWII. Swoosie won an Emmy for her role on "Carol & Company." She has been nominated for eight more Emmy's. Movie Credits
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Col.
Frank Kurtz, 85; In WWII,
Frank's
Daughter Swoosie Kurtz