Frank Kurtz

Colonel Frank Allen Kurtz Jr. was born on September 9, 1911, and passed away on October 31, 1996. He was an American who achieved great things in two very different areas. First, he was an Olympic diver, which means he competed in the diving events at the Olympics, a big and important sports event. Later, he became an aviator, which means he flew airplanes, in the United States Army Air Forces. This shows that he was both very skilled in sports and in flying, making him an interesting and accomplished person.

Life and career

Frank Kurtz was born in Davenport, Iowa, and grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. He loved flying and started learning to fly when he was 16 years old. In 1935, he flew a plane and set a speed record from Los Angeles to Mexico City, then to Washington, D.C., and back to Los Angeles.

Frank was also a great diver. A famous swimmer, Johnny Weissmuller, noticed his skills and encouraged him to train with a well-known coach, Clyde Swendsen. Frank went to Hollywood High School and then to the University of Southern California to join their diving team. He won a bronze medal in the 10 meter platform at the 1932 Olympics, even though he was hurt on his shoulder. He also won a national diving title in 1933.

Military career

Kurtz joined the Army to train as a pilot, hoping to work in commercial aviation later. Before the war, he held a national speed record and set several other records for small planes.

He commanded a bomber group in Italy during World War II and survived an air attack in the Philippines shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. In Australia, he helped repair a bomber using parts from other damaged planes. This bomber, nicknamed "The Swoose", became famous and was later saved from being melted down. Kurtz convinced the City of Los Angeles to keep it as a war memorial. Today, "The Swoose" is the oldest surviving B-17 bomber and is kept at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Fairborn, Ohio for future display.

After 24 years in the military, Kurtz retired and took a top job at a development company.

Personal life

Frank Kurtz married Margret "Margo" Rogers, and they had one child, actress Swoosie Kurtz, who was born in 1944. Her first name, "Swoosie," comes from two airplanes her father flew named "The Swoose" and "Swoose II."

Kurtz passed away in 1996 after falling and having health problems. In 2012, he was honored by being added to the International Swimming Hall of Fame. He also served as the leader of the SoCal Olympians from 1976 to 1977 and later led the United States Olympians from 1978 to 1982.