The Legacy

“Film is an unmediated dive into history. No one who went to war came back the same, there is a sense of loss.”
- John Ford, Motion Picture Director

An Airman’s Story is dedicated to preserving the legacy's and human life experiences from all eras within the evolution of military aviation. We are interested to chronicle and preserve these valiant histories for future generations in perpetuity.

We are archiving and preserving the proud legacy of the men and women who have served in America’s Armed Forces as Aviators. I strongly encourage you to direct your help and support to help preserve the untold stories of veterans who served as pilots, crew members, and ground support personnel. We welcome your participation to step forth, and share what subsequent generations of Americans need to know about the courage, dedication and the service of their predecessors. We will accept and cherish the donation of stories and personal memoirs of veterans. We will consider every letter or email from a veteran or relative who is willing to share their stories.

“Other Voices” offers a platform for family members to contribute to preserving the legacy of a departed loved one. They can share their memories, letters and experiences of their relative who served so valiantly. I am interested and available to interview you at your convenience. “An Airman’s Story” is hereby committed, and dedicated under the premise that our proud history will be carried on, and the dream of freedom shall never be vanquished in America.

“Inspiration springs from great traditions....guard the traditions of your service, built in the foothills of the Rockies and in the Air over Ploesti, Mig Alley, Red River Valley, and in a thousand other places.”
- President Ronald W. Reagan

Heritage Photo Gallery

H. H. Arnold - Clarence Tinker - Gen. Frank Andrews Hamilton Field, California, 1935 — H. H. Arnold - Clarence Tinker - Gen. Frank Andrews
Hamilton Field, California, 1935

Gen. Frank Andrews - Clarence Tinker Hamilton Field, California, 1935 — Gen. Frank Andrews - Clarence Tinker
Hamilton Field, California, 1935

P-26 Peashooters over San Francisco Bay, California

BOEING P-26 "Peashooter" - March Field, CA

1930 US Army Bombers Fly Over the San Francisco Golden Gate 7th BG B-2s & B-3 Bombers - Crissy Field SF, California — 1930 US Army Bombers Fly Over the San Francisco Golden Gate
7th BG B-2s & B-3 Bombers - Crissy Field SF, California

GHQ AF Gen. Staff 19th May 1937 Martin B-10 Bomber - Hamilton Field, CA General Frank Andrews USAAC — GHQ AF Gen. Staff 19th May 1937
Martin B-10 Bomber - Hamilton Field, CA
General Frank Andrews USAAC

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OB-7 on Patrol Over Hamilton Field Late 1930s - San Francisco North Bay Area, CA

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B-17 A-B EARLY MOD 1936-1939_pages-to-jpg-0011.jpg

B-17 A-B EARLY MOD 1936-1939_pages-to-jpg-0012.jpg

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ETO 8th AF B-17 Crew - East Anglia, 1944

Lt. Raymond "Hap" Halloran - Navigator 20th AF B-29er POW Tokyo

Lt. JB Moorehead Ace - 1942 - Darwin, Australia

Maintenance Crew Working in the Jungle, 1942

Captured Japanese Zero - Darwin, Australia 1942

Capt. James JB Moorehead Ace, 1944 - 1st FG Foggia, Italy

Honolulu Star-Bulletin Front Page Story - December 7, 1941

Martin B-10 Bomber - Signal Corps July 12, 1939 — Martin B-10 Bomber - Signal Corps
July 12, 1939

Zemke's Last Birthday Party - March of 1994 (Hub Far Right)

Zemke's Last Birthday Party - March of 1994

Dick Bong, America’s Ace of Aces

G. H. Q. Air Force Personnel - Hamilton Field, CA. Feb. 1938
Douglas B-18 "Bolo" - 7th BG

Early Shark - Fin Tail model. B-17 D The “Swoose.” - Half Swan - Half Goose. Oldest Surviving intact B-17 today in Existence. The “Swoose” served as personal Transport during WWII for Lt.Gen. George George Brett, USAAF. Visiting Air Bases Globally. Late 1942 Capt. Frank Kurtz became aircraft’s 1st Pilot. Col. Frank Kurtz with the direct help of Gen. H H. Arnold Rescued the “Swoose” from Kingman AZ Scrap Yard. Flew her to HAFB N. SF Bay Area, CA. For a final Send off Luncheon 1949. Widely attended by the old Air Corps “Old Breed.” The Final Destination. USAFM Wright Patterson AFB, OH.

Saving the “Swoose” Celebration Dining In - January, 1949 Hamilton Air Force Base

There was a VIP Luncheon held in honor of saving Air Force History. Gen. Arnold called for a Luncheon to be held at the Hamilton Field O Club. Col Kurtz leans over and whispers he will depart and fly directly over Gen. Arnold’s Home Ranch in Glen Ellen. Few miles north of Hamilton Field. Gen. Arnold whispers back “Make it low Frank” and smiles. As Col. Kurtz bears down coming up at tree top levels to the Ranch House, throttles forward, to his surprise sees a white haired old man. Who is running back and forth on the lawn in front of his Home. With a tall pole with the American flag waving as he runs with it back and forth. Waving it at Col. Frank Kurtz. Needless to say, Frank blew off the wood shingles of the House. Knowing deep down, as he navigated up through the Sonoma Valley, on the final flight of the iconic B-17 D “Swoose” that he had made a grand old “Air Warrior” happy. Shortly thereafter; the General of the Air Force, “Hap” Arnold made his final flight West. With a smile on his face. Hap’s work was done.

- Col. Frank Kurtz, USAF [Ret.]
Mid 80s: Air Power Conversation with Frank Kurtz at his Home with Leon