In this America 250 special presentation, host Jon Hagadorn brings listeners the extraordinary true story of The Swoose — the oldest surviving B‑17 Flying Fortress and the only B‑17D to serve from the opening days of World War II all the way to the end.

Told through the voice of an older veteran standing before the aircraft now located at the National Air Force Museum near Dayton Ohio, this immersive, five‑chapter narrative explores how a patched‑together, battle‑scarred bomber became one of the most remarkable survivors of the Pacific war. From the fiery skies over the Philippines to the desperate retreat to Australia, from makeshift repairs to high‑stakes missions, The Swoose emerges as a symbol of American ingenuity, grit, and determination.

Listeners will learn:

• How The Swoose escaped destruction during the Japanese attack on the Philippines

• Why she became known as the "patchwork fortress"

• How her resilience earned the respect of legendary aviator Colonel Frank Kurtz

• Why she is the last surviving B‑17D in the world

• What her story reveals about the young men who flew and maintained these iconic aircraft

This episode honors the legacy of the B‑17 crews — many of them barely out of high school — who faced staggering losses and unimaginable danger. It also reminds younger generations just how important these aircraft were, how many were sacrificed, and why the few that remain deserve to be remembered.

A powerful tribute to courage, survival, and the spirit of a nation at war, THE SWOOSE stands as a fitting story for America's 250th anniversary — a reminder that even in the darkest moments, some legends refuse to die. Freedom never comes cheap.

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