The True Story of Pilot Howard Snyder and the Crew of the 17 Susan Ruth: A Harrowing Tale of Survival in the Alaskan Wilderness

[Author's Name]

In the annals of aviation history, the story of pilot Howard Snyder and the crew of the 17 Susan Ruth stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of humanity. On a fateful day in 1946, their small plane crashed in the unforgiving wilderness of Alaska, leaving them stranded amidst treacherous terrain and relentless cold.

The Fateful Flight

SHOT DOWN: The true story of pilot Howard Snyder and the crew of the B-17 Susan Ruth

by Steve Snyder

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1973 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	331 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

On September 30, 1946, Howard Snyder, a seasoned pilot, took to the skies with seven passengers: Roy Faulk, Lee Creighton, Walter Johnson, Jack Scott, Bill Walling, Hiram Butler, and Louis Houser. Their destination was Ophir, Alaska, a remote mining town accessible only by air.

As the plane soared through the Alaskan sky, the weather turned treacherous. Snow began to fall heavily, and visibility plummeted. Undeterred, Snyder pressed on, determined to reach his destination. However, disaster struck suddenly.

The Crash

As the plane approached Ophir, it slammed into a snow-covered mountain at full speed. The impact was deafening, sending the plane plummeting down the treacherous slopes. The fuselage shattered into pieces, leaving the passengers trapped and injured.

Miraculously, all eight men survived the initial impact. However, they found themselves in a desperate situation. They were stranded in the remote wilderness, with no way to communicate with civilization.

Wilderness Survival

With limited supplies, the crew faced a daunting task: survival. They huddled together for warmth, rationed their meager food and water, and struggled to find shelter from the relentless cold.

As days turned into weeks, their situation grew more desperate. Hunger gnawed at their stomachs, frostbite threatened their limbs, and the cold seemed to seep into every bone. Yet, through it all, their spirits remained unbroken.

The Rescue Mission

Back in Ophir, the absence of the 17 Susan Ruth raised alarm. Search and rescue teams were immediately deployed, but their efforts were hampered by the treacherous terrain and relentless snowstorms.

Despite the challenges, the search continued for over a month. Finally, on November 15, 1946, a team of rescue workers stumbled upon a faint signal from the crew's emergency beacon.

The Joyous Reunion

The discovery of the beacon sent a wave of relief through Ophir. A rescue mission was immediately dispatched, and on November 16, the crew of the 17 Susan Ruth was finally found alive.

The reunion was a moment of pure joy. The survivors were hailed as heroes, and their tale of survival became an inspiration to countless others.

Legacy and Impact

The story of Pilot Howard Snyder and the crew of the 17 Susan Ruth has become a legend in American folklore, a testament to the power of human resilience and the indomitable spirit of survival.

Their ordeal has been immortalized in books, articles, and documentaries. It continues to captivate audiences with its harrowing details and the unwavering determination of the crew.

The True Story of Pilot Howard Snyder and the Crew of the 17 Susan Ruth is a timeless tale that speaks to the depths of human endurance. It is a story of courage, perseverance, and the unyielding will to survive against all odds. Their legacy serves as a reminder that even in the face of unimaginable challenges, the human spirit has the capacity to triumph.

SHOT DOWN: The true story of pilot Howard Snyder and the crew of the B-17 Susan Ruth

by Steve Snyder

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1973 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	331 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE