Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

2nd Scouting Squadron (VS-2), U.S.S. Lexington (CV-2), U.S. Navy

Awarded on:

June 28th, 1944

"The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Chandler Waterman Swanson (NSN: 0-79005), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane of Scouting Squadron TWO (VS-2), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against Japanese forces on 7 and 8 May 1942, during the Air Battle of the Coral Sea. Lieutenant Swanson participated in a dive bombing attack on an enemy aircraft carrier, pressing home his attack with skill and determination, and contributed materially to the destruction of the enemy vessel. As a member of a combat patrol he repeatedly attacked with great determination and attacked enemy planes in the face of heavy enemy fighter opposition. In this action his rear seat gunner was killed and his plane was damaged considerably. Lieutenant Swanson's outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 14

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Commander

Unit:

84th Torpedo Squadron (VT-84), 84th Air Group (AG-84), U.S.S. Bunker Hill (CV-17), 1st Carrier Task Force, U.S. Navy

Awarded on:

April 12th, 1945

"The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Chandler Waterman Swanson (NSN: 0-79005), United States Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Commanding Officer of Torpedo Squadron EIGHTY-FOUR (VT-84), attached to the U.S.S. BUNKER HILL (CV-17), in the air attacks on the Tokyo area on 16 and 17 February 1945. On each of these dates Lieutenant Commander Swanson's squadron participated in a coordinated bombing attack against a major aircraft plant in the Tokyo area. Under his skillful and courageous leadership in the face of heavy air opposition and anti-aircraft fire his squadron scored many direct hits resulting in serious damage to both plants. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0346

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy

Unit:

84th Torpedo Squadron (VT-84), 84th Air Group (AG-84), U.S.S. Bunker Hill (CV-17), 1st Carrier Task Force, U.S. Navy

Awarded on:

July 6th, 1945

"The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Chandler Waterman Swanson (NSN: 0-79005), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Commanding Officer of Torpedo Squadron EIGHTY-FOUR (VT-84), attached to the U.S.S. BUNKER HILL (CV-17), during an attack against the Japanese Battleship Yamato off Kyushu, Japan, on 7 April 1945. Displaying great skill and courage, Lieutenant Commander Swanson led his flight of fourteen torpedo bombers in a torpedo attack on an enemy battleship which was the principal target in the enemy force. In spite of extremely adverse weather, by effective use of special search equipment in his plane he placed his flight in excellent position to make a perfectly coordinated torpedo attack on the battleship. In the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire concentrated on them his flight under his brilliant leadership pressed home from close range the torpedo attack, their first against a major enemy Fleet unit. At least nine torpedo hits were scored on the battleship by his flight, which contributed materially to the subsequent sinking of the ship. His brilliant leadership, and disregard of personal safety during the attack were inspiring. His courage and skill contributed greatly to the success of the mission and were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0996
--
Second Navy Cross received as Gold Star

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Commander

Unit:

84th Torpedo Squadron (VT-84), 84th Air Group (AG-84), U.S.S. Bunker Hill (CV-17), 1st Carrier Task Force, U.S. Navy

Awarded on:

September 16th, 1945

"The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Chandler Waterman Swanson (NSN: 0-79005), United States Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Commanding Officer of Torpedo Squadron EIGHTY-FOUR (VT-84), attached to the U.S.S. BUNKER HILL (CV-17), in the vicinity of Kure, Japan, on 19 March 1945. On that date, Lieutenant Commander Swanson led his carrier-based squadron of torpedo bombers in a successful attack on major units of the Japanese Fleet in the harbor of Kure, Japan, and on the naval arsenal at Kure. This attack was made in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire both from ships and from shore installations. Part of his squadron was directed to attack warships in the harbor and the remaining five torpedo planes under his inspiring leadership attacked the naval arsenal. Despite the intense anti-aircraft defense he and the torpedo planes with him put all their bombs on the naval arsenal seriously damaging it. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0601
--
Second SSM received as Gold Star

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Commander

Unit:

84th Torpedo Squadron (VT-84), 84th Air Group (AG-84), U.S.S. Bunker Hill (CV-17), 1st Carrier Task Force, U.S. Navy

"The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Chandler Waterman Swanson (NSN: 0-79005), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Tokyo Area. On 25 February 1945 he led his carrier based squadron of torpedo bombers on a coordinated strike against a major aircraft plant in the Tokyo area. Through his exercise of aggressive leadership the strike proceeded to its assigned target which necessitated a flight of 120 miles over heavily defended territory through areas of undesirable weather instead of being diverted to a target nearer to base but much less important. In the face of intense anti-aircraft fire at the target he skillfully and courageously led his flight in an aggressive attack on an assembly building which caused extensive damage. His own bombs scored direct hits. His outstanding leadership inspired the entire strike formation and contributed greatly to the success of the mission. His courage and devotion to duty were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Commander

Unit:

84th Torpedo Squadron (VT-84), 84th Air Group (AG-84), U.S.S. Bunker Hill (CV-17), 1st Carrier Task Force, U.S. Navy

"The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Chandler Waterman Swanson (NSN: 0-79005), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in operations against the enemy in the vicinity of Iwo Jima, Nansei Shoto and Okinawa. As pilot of a carrier based torpedo bomber during the period 19 February to 30 April 1945 he participated in twenty strikes against enemy shipping, airfields and installations, inflicting extensive damage. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Second DFC received as Gold Star

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Second AM received as Gold Star

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Third AM received as Gold Star

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Fourth AM received as Gold Star

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)