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Sgt Grit Marine Forums » Sgt Grit's Marine Forum » Marine Corps History/Current Events » April 7th Medal of Honor Recipient

April 7th Medal of Honor Recipient

Last post 08-01-2008 11:05 AM by John Wear. 3 replies.
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  • 04-07-2007 1:57 PM

    April 7th Medal of Honor Recipient

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    The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
    FIRST LIEUTENANT JAMES E. SWETT
    UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE

    for service as set forth in the following

    CITATION:

    For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, as a division leader in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO TWENTY-ONE in action against enemy Japanese aerial forces in the Solomon Islands Area, April 7, 1943. In a daring flight to intercept a wave of 150 Japanese planes, First Lieutenant Swett unhesitatingly hurled his four-plane division into action against a formation of fifteen enemy bombers and during his dive personally exploded three hostile planes in mid-air with accurate and deadly fire. Although separated from his division while clearing the heavy concentration of anti-aircraft fire, he boldly attacked six enemy bombers, engaged the first four in turn, and unaided, shot them down 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 First Lieutenant Swett to destroy seven enemy bombers in a single flight were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.



    /S/ FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT
    ___________________________________
    Watch your thoughts, they become words.
    Watch your words, they become actions.
    Watch your actions, they become habits.
    Watch your habits, they become character.
    Watch your character, for it becomes...your destiny.

  • 07-31-2008 10:47 AM In reply to

    Re: April 7th Medal of Honor Recipient

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    When was the medal actually awarded?

    Feminine. Texan. American.

  • 08-01-2008 9:59 AM In reply to

    Re: April 7th Medal of Honor Recipient

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    http://www.medalofhonor.com/JamesSwett.htm

     

    From that website link

    Colonel Swett took part in action in the South Pacific from early 1943 until January 1944. After a year's duty in the United States, he returned overseas in January 1945, and participated in combat operations at Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

    I haven't found an exact date of the awarding but I would guess it was sometime in that year he spent in the states, 1944.

    ___________________________________
    Watch your thoughts, they become words.
    Watch your words, they become actions.
    Watch your actions, they become habits.
    Watch your habits, they become character.
    Watch your character, for it becomes...your destiny.

  • 08-01-2008 11:05 AM In reply to

    • John Wear
    • Top 10 Contributor
    • Joined on 10-25-2002
    • New Hope...it's near Philly, PA USA
    • Posts 9,447

    Re: April 7th Medal of Honor Recipient

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    Titanium nads...
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