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

 Steve Snyder joins LCDR Steven Rogers on Peace Through Strength — America’s Navy to share the remarkable World War II story of his father, B-17 pilot Howard Snyder, and the crew of the Susan Ruth. Howard Snyder's wartime experience became the foundation for Steve's award-winning book, SHOT DOWN: The True Story of Pilot Howard Snyder and the Crew of the B-17 Bomber Susan Ruth. In this interview, Steve discusses his father's service and the history he has worked to preserve for future generations.Steve Snyder is president of the 306th Bomb Group Historical Association, a board member of the 8th Air Force Historical Society, an author, speaker, and World War II researcher dedicated to keeping the stories of the men of the Eighth Air Force alive.https://stevesnyderauthor.com/ #SteveSnyder #HowardSnyder #SHOTDOWN #SusanRuth #B17 #B17FlyingFortress #306thBombGroup #8thAirForce #WorldWarII #WWIIHistory #WWIIAviation #MilitaryHistory

Author and World War II historian Steve Snyder shares the remarkable true story behind his award-winning book SHOT DOWN: The True Story of Pilot Howard Snyder and the Crew of the B-17 Susan Ruth.On February 8, 1944, Steve’s father, First Lieutenant Howard Snyder, was piloting the B-17 Flying Fortress Susan Ruth on a bombing mission over Europe when the aircraft was attacked and shot down.What followed was an extraordinary seven-month journey behind enemy lines.Steve tells the story of the Susan Ruth and its crew, Howard’s efforts to evade German capture, the courageous Belgian civilians and Resistance members who risked their lives to hide and protect him, and his eventual involvement with the French Resistance before returning to Allied forces.Steve also shares the fascinating story of Hans Berger, the German Luftwaffe pilot involved in the attack on the Susan Ruth, whom Steve later located and personally met decades after the war.Through photographs, wartime records, firsthand accounts, and his father’s own story, Steve preserves not only the experiences of one B-17 crew, but the courage of the ordinary people who risked everything to help Allied airmen survive in occupied Europe.Learn more about Steve Snyder and SHOT DOWN at SteveSnyderAuthor.com.

Steve Snyder shares the powerful story of his father, Pilot Howard Snyder, and his B-17 aircrew who were shot down during a WWII mission. This is more than just a war account—it’s a vivid portrait connecting diverse lives, the global conflict of that era, and the close bond of a crew flying the B-17 Fortress in combat. Through Steve’s heartfelt retelling, experience a rare and meaningful tribute from son to father, capturing the courage, people, and moments that shaped their journey.Learn more at: https://SteveSnyderAuthor.com/#B-17 Aircrew#WWII Story#Howard Snyder#Military Aviation History#Father-Son Tribute

Steve Snyder, author of the award-winning book, "SHOT DOWN: The true story of pilot Howard Snyder and the crew of the B-17 Susan Ruth" makes a PowerPoint presentation at the Warhawk Air Muesum's VETerans Kilroy Coffee Klatch in Nampa, Idaho on June 2, 2026. #SteveSnyder#AirWarOverEurope#B17AirForce#Veterans Kilry Coffee Klatch#306thBombGroup#B17FlyingFortress#HowardSnyder#SHOT DOWN#Military Books#WorldWarII#EscapeandEvasion#FrenchResistance#BelgianUnderground#Warhawk Air Museum

Steve Snyder, author of the award-winning book, "SHOT DOWN: The true story of pilot Howard Snyder and the crew of the B-17 Susan Ruth," makes a PowerPoint presentation at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in Pooler, Georgia, Riverside, California on February 7, 2026.http://SteveSnyderAuthor.com#SteveSnyder, #AirWarOverEurope, #8thAirForce, #306thBombGroup, #B17FlyingFortress, #HowardSnyder, #SHOTDOWN, #MilitaryBooks, #FrenchResistance, #BelgianUnderground, #WorldWarII,  #ItIsOurDutyToRemember, #NationalMuseumoftheMightyEighthAirForce