Colonel James Swett, USMC

[GrauGeist]

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.

From Legacy.com:

Colonel James E. Swett Sr.
An American, a Husband, Father, and Man amongst Men

James Elms Swett was born on June 15, 1920 in Seattle Washington to Nellie B. Swett and George E. Swett Sr. James had two siblings George Jr. and Margaret.
James attended Sam Mateo High School and The College of San Mateo in the late 30's until WWII broke out, and eager to serve his country he………..[joined the Marines]
Completing his flight schooling in Corpus Christi, Texas, James was called into action proceeding thru Hawaii to the Solomon Islands where he joined VMF-221. During this time Swett saw his first taste of aerial combat. It was then when his first combat mission with his 4 plane Wildcat formation against 150 Japanese Val Dive Bombers and Zero Fighters occurred.
Some of Swett's exploits included many air to air and air to ground support combat missions. In one particular assignment, Swett was assigned to the USS Bunker Hill. While out on combat air patrol, the Bunker Hill was hit by 2 Japanese kamikazes causing major damage to the flight deck. Swett was vectored over to the USS Hornet, critically low on fuel and landed. Upon touchdown, he was immediately hauled from his aircraft and his plane pushed overboard to make room for other Bunker Hill aircraft low on fuel and the remaining Pilots from the Hornet.
Swett continued his aerial campaigns amassing 15 1/2 kills in support of the Iwo Jima and surrender of Japanese campaigns. Returning stateside a decorated veteran, he was stationed at Santa Barbara after the surrender.
James E. Swett lived an overall long and happy life. Just after WWII, he met his first wife Lois at the Russian River by asking her to hold his watch while he went swimming. Once placed in Marine Corps active reserve status, Swett courted and married Lois Anderson and began working with his Father who founded George E. Swett Co. Swett remained active in the Marine Corps reserves as Commanding Officer VTU-2 at Moffet Field, Mountain View, California until his discharge as a full Colonel.
The long marriage to Lois produced 2 children, James Jr. and John who both followed their Dad's footsteps in becoming Marines. James Jr. serving 2 tours of duty in Vietnam. Upon the passing of Swett's Father in 1960, took over sole operation of the business and was joined by John in the growth and operation of the business until Swett's retirement in 1992.
He and Lois moved to Trinity Center, Ca and lived there, involved in the community until the passing of Lois in 1998. Shortly after Lois passing, Swett met Verna Miller of Redding thru mutual friends and it quickly became a love affair. They were married May 6, 2007 at River View Country Club where they were active members. They remained devoted to each other; sharing social events in Redding until Swett's health begin to fail in the summer of 08. Through his determined will, Swett faced death at least a half a dozen times; during WWII he was shot down twice, survived three car crashes; one which broke two vertebrae in his neck, then decidedly determined to fly again in his jeep, without benefit of wings, he fell asleep crashing into the now famed "ACE" oak tree along Hiway 3, he also contracted and defeated prostate and lymphoma cancers at different intervals, thumbed his nose to the Grim Reaper, he wasn't ready to go, and came out victorious as he had in his long fruitful life.
Having an eye for good German engineering, he owned 13 Porches during his driving days. Although he wasn't completely responsible for all cars being intact, his sons loved to drive them as well and Barfigunetin
Swett had a unique style during and after his military exploits. He was his own, self made man who loved his fellow man, his Corps and family and continued to show that thru his final days. He is missed mostly by Verna, his 2 sons their wives Terry and Pam and many grand and great grand children Gretchen, Jonathan, Brian, Katrina, Nancy, Natalie, Alise, Thomas, Xavier, Laniah, Victor, and Lily Grace, who loved him dearly.
Funeral services will be held at McDonald's Chapel in Redding on Friday January 23, 2009 at 11:00 AM, followed by graveside services at Northern California Veterans Cemetery in Igo, CA at 12:45 PM. Arrangements are in the care of McDonald's Chapel (241-1626).
Please sign the guestbook at Redding.com - Obituaries

Published in the Redding Record Searchlight from 1/21/2009 - 1/22/2009

There is a good account of his actions at Wikipedia - James Swett, but the action of 7 April 1943 is where he earned his MoH and became an Ace. It's an amazing story, and is a must-read for any fan of the F4F Wildcat:

His first mission was as a division leader on a combat air patrol over the Russell Islands early on the morning of April 7 in expectation of a large Japanese air attack. Landing to refuel, the four plane division of F4F Wildcats he was leading was scrambled after other aircraft reported 150 planes approaching Ironbottom Sound, and intercepted a large formation of Japanese Aichi D3A dive bombers attacking Tulagi harbor.

When the fight became a general melee, Swett pursued three Vals diving on the harbor. After shooting down two, and while taken under fire from the rear gunner of the third, the left wing of his F4F was holed by U.S. antiaircraft fire directed at the Japanese. Despite this he shot down the third Val and turned toward a second formation of six Vals leaving the area.

Swett repeatly attacked the line of dive bombers, downing each in turn with short bursts. He brought down four and was attacking a fifth when his ammunition was depleted and he had his cockpit shot up by return fire. Wounded, he decided to ditch his damaged fighter off the coast of Florida Island, after it became clear that his oil cooler had been hit and he would not make it back to base. After a few seconds of further flight, his engine seized, and despite initially being trapped in his cockpit, Swett extricated himself and was subsequently rescued in Tulagi harbor after crash-landing his Wildcat. This feat made the 22-year old Marine aviator an ace on his first combat mission.

 

[Aaron Brooks Wolters]

 

[Wildcat]

 

[lesofprimus]

One absolutely hellofa man, Patriot and fighter pilot, his presence will be sorely missed....

 

[Thorlifter]

RIP

 

[Gnomey]

 

[ToughOmbre]

TO

 

[RabidAlien]

Rest well, Marine.

 

[timshatz]

Had a helluva life. Good for him. Hope we all can do as well.

 

[GrauGeist]

I found a good photo of Colonel Swett in the "saddle"...

 

[Vassili Zaitzev]

RIP Colonel.