Jon E. Swanson
Jon Edward Swanson | |
---|---|
San Antonio, Texas, US | |
Died | February 26, 1971 Cambodia | (aged 28)
Place of burial | |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Army |
Years of service | 1965–1971 |
Rank | Captain United States Army |
Unit | 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment |
Battles/wars | Vietnam War † |
Awards | Medal of Honor 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses 2 Purple Hearts |
Jon Edward Swanson (May 1, 1942 – February 26, 1971) was a
Biography
Born in 1942, Swanson grew up in
Swanson later volunteered for a second combat tour in
Swanson and Harrison were listed as "killed in action – body not recovered." In 1992, a search team located the crash site and found small amounts of human remains. More remains were recovered in 1999 and, in late 2001, were identified as Swanson and Harrison.[4]
Swanson's widow, Sandee, and his younger brother, Tom, were married in 1977. Tom Swanson adopted his brother's two daughters. As adults, the daughters learned that Jon Swanson had been recommended for the Medal of Honor shortly after his death.[1] His original nomination had been rejected, and he was instead given the military's second-highest award, the Distinguished Service Cross.[4] In 1998 his daughters began an effort to have the nomination re-assessed.[1] A subsequent investigation concluded that Swanson's Distinguished Service Cross should be upgraded. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on May 1, 2002, 30 years after the mission in Cambodia. During a ceremony at the White House Rose Garden that day, Swanson's widow and daughters accepted the medal on his behalf from President George W. Bush. World War II soldier Ben L. Salomon was also honored at the ceremony.[5] Two days later, on May 3, Swanson and Harrison were buried together at Arlington National Cemetery.[4]
Medal of Honor citation
UNITED STATES ARMY
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
- Captain Jon E. Swanson distinguished himself by acts of bravery on February 26, 1971, while flying an OH-6A aircraft in support of ARVN Task Force 333 in the Kingdom of Cambodia. With two well-equipped enemy regiments known to be in the area, Captain Swanson was tasked with pinpointing the enemy's precise positions. Captain Swanson flew at treetop level at a slow airspeed, making his aircraft a vulnerable target. The advancing ARVN unit came under heavy Cobra gun ship attack. After completion of the attack, Captain Swanson found the weapon still intact and an enemy soldier crawling over to man it. He immediately engaged the individual and killed him. During this time, his aircraft sustained several hits from another .51 caliber machine gun. Captain Swanson engaged the position with his aircraft's weapons, marked the target, and directed a second Cobra gun ship attack. He volunteered to continue the mission, despite the fact that he was now critically low on ammunition and his aircraft was crippled by enemy fire. As Captain Swanson attempted to fly toward another .51 caliber machine gun position, his aircraft exploded in the air and crashed to the ground, causing his death. Captain Swanson's courageous actions resulted in at least eight enemy killed and the destruction of three enemy anti-aircraft weapons. Captain Swanson's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.[3]
In memory
Swanson's name is inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial ("The Wall") on Panel 04W, Row 007.[6]
See also
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f Oldland, Ashleigh (2008-09-16). "37 years later, Medal of Honor war hero 'in our hearts all the time'". Rocky Mountain News. Retrieved 2008-09-22.
- ^ "Medal of Honor recipients to be honored at Colorado State University October 24". Colorado State University. October 22, 2009. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
- ^ a b c "Medal of Honor recipients - Vietnam War". United States Army Center of Military History. 2007-07-16. Archived from the original on 2008-04-24. Retrieved 2008-09-22.
- ^ American Forces Press Service. Retrieved 2008-09-22.
- ^ "AWARD OF THE MEDAL OF HONOR TO CAPTAIN JON E. SWANSON (HQDA General Order No.2002-14)" (PDF). Headquarters Department of Army. 2002-12-31. Retrieved 2017-12-13.
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(help) - ^ "Jon Swanson, CPT, Army". The Virtual Wall. Retrieved 2006-07-27.
References
- This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.