"Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth… … and touched the face of God".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WDrbbtaO0E
Posted on 01/22/2009 5:49:01 PM PST by zot
Colonel James Swett, USMC Another legend has left us.
Colonel James Swett Sr., United States Marine Corps pilot of WWII passed away at the age of 88 here in Redding, California.
He was the recipient of the Medal of Honor, the DFC and held two Purple Hearts for his actions in the South Pacific while assigned to VMF-221.
(Excerpt) Read more at ww2aircraft.net ...
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Dear Lord, please take care of our fallen heroes.
Prayers are with his family.
Ping
"Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth… … and touched the face of God".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WDrbbtaO0E
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Marine Fighter Squadron 221, with Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Place and date: Solomon Islands area, 7 April 1943. Entered service at: California. Born: 15 June 1920, Seattle, Wash. Other Navy award: Distinguished Flying Cross with 1 Gold Star. Citation: For extraordinary heroism and personal valor above and beyond the call of duty, as division leader of Marine Fighting Squadron 221 with Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, in action against enemy Japanese aerial forces in the Solomons Islands area, 7 April 1943. In a daring flight to intercept a wave of 150 Japanese planes, 1st Lt. Swett unhesitatingly hurled his 4-plane division into action against a formation of 15 enemy bombers and personally exploded 3 hostile planes in midair with accurate and deadly fire during his dive. Although separated from his division while clearing the heavy concentration of antiaircraft fire, he boldly attacked 6 enemy bombers, engaged the first 4 in turn and, unaided, shot down all in flames. Exhausting his ammunition as he closed the fifth Japanese bomber, he relentlessly drove his attack against terrific opposition which partially disabled his engine, shattered the windscreen and slashed his face. In spite of this, he brought his battered plane down with skillful precision in the water off Tulagi without further injury. The superb airmanship and tenacious fighting spirit which enabled 1st Lt. Swett to destroy 7 enemy bombers in a single flight were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
RIP.
Thanks for posting his Medal of Honor citation.
WW 2 Vets are leaving us fast, its a bitter loss.
May they rest in peace. They were all heroes thos who were awarded medals and those who didnt. Our military is made up of heroes.
R.I.P. Soldier and enjoy eternity walking the streets of Heaven...you’ve done your time in Hell...
Been there, done that...;-) I was horrified when vandals spray painted the memorial a couple years ago...
Horrified - and sick to my stomach...
No, thank you for posting...
Rest in Peace Colonel. Thank you for your service.
I hope the title can be changed. A recipient doesn’t “win” the MOH.
Rest easy Colonel.His loved ones are in my prayers.
They had his story on “The History Channel” a few months ago. Really interesting.
We had a bunch of extremely brave men during that time. More than any time I can think of except maybe the War Between the States.
You’re right. I didn’t think of the word “recipient” when I posted this, and I don’t know how to change the title.
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