Swett, James Elms

Mitsubishi A6M

Date of birth:: June 15th, 1920 (Seattle/Washington, United States)
Date of death:: January 18th, 2009 (Redding/California, United States)
Nationality:: American

Biography

James E. Swet was born in Seattle, Washington on June 15th, 1920. He graduated at the San Mateo High School in San Mateo, California and enrolled from the College of san Mateo in 1939. After this he earned his private pilot’s license. On August 26th, 1941 he enlisted to teh U.S. Naval Reserve as Seaman Second Class and started his military Flight Training in September of that year.

After completing his flight training he chose to fligh with the Marine Corps. On April 1st, 1942 he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant to the NAS Corpus Christi in Texas. His advanced flight training brought him to Quantico, Virginia and Lake Michigan. His carrier qualification training he had on board the U.S.S. Wolverine and he received his wings at San Diego, California. In December 1942 he left for the Pacific and was assigned to VMF-221 at Guadalcanal as part of Marine Air Group 12. He became an ace at his first combat mission on April 7th, 1943. On this mission he also was shot down and briefly ended in hospital. Recovered he went back to his unit which moved to the Russels. Promoted to Captain he saw action over the Rendova landings on June 30th, 1943, shooting down two Japanese Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" Bombers and sharing the score for a Mitsubishi A6M "Zero". Early July he shot two other Betty’s and a Zero down over New Georgia, but was shot down himself again. After being rescued, he returned to base. In October 1943 he shot another Zero down over Kahili, Bougainville and added two Val divebombers and a fighter to his score in November.
During his leave in December he married Lois Anderson and later was transferred to NAS Santa Barbara, California to work up the newly manned and equipped VMF-221. The unit was assigned to the U.S.S. Bunker Hill. On May 11th, 1945 he shot down a Yokosuka D4Y kamikaze plane near Okinawa. Returning to the States he was assigne to MCAS El Toro in California, training for the invasion of Japan. Here he stayed until the end of the war.
During 103 combat missions in World War Two, Swett was given 15.5 confirmed victories and 4 probable.

After the Second World War he commanded VMF-141 at NAS Alameda, California. When his unit left for Korea, Swett had to stay behind. The U.S. Navy did not want to place a Medal of Honor recipient in a combat area. Swet retired form active duty as a Colonel in 1970. He then worked at his father’s company in San Francisco. Ha had taken over the company in 1960 and runned it until he retired. In 2007 he moved to Redding, California, where he died on January 18th, 2009.

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Medal of Honor - Navy/Marine Corps (MoH)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: First Lieutenant (Lieutenant)
Unit:: Marine Fighter Squadron 221 (VMF-221), Marine Aircraft Group 12 (MAG-12), U.S. Marine Corps Aviation, U.S. Marine Corps

"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."

Medal of Honor - Navy/Marine Corps (MoH)

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: First Lieutenant (Lieutenant)
Unit:: Marine Fighter Squadron 221 (VMF-221), Marine Aircraft Group 12 (MAG-12), U.S. Marine Corps Aviation, U.S. Marine Corps
Awarded on:: February 9th, 1944

"For heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-221), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area from 16 June 1943 to 22 July 1943. Leading a flight patrol which intercepted a formation of hostile aircraft over Rendova Island on 30 June, Captain Swett aided in dispersing the enemy force, personally shooting down two bombers and assisting one of his fighters in sending a Zero crashing into the sea. On 11 July, accompanied only by his wingman, he attacked a force of fifteen Japanese bombers and escorting fighters over Kula Gulf, and succeeded in shooting down one bomber and one fighter, but was forced to land his badly damaged plane in the sea near the Coast of New Georgia. Although enemy fighters strafed him while he floated in the water after leaving his crippled plane, he made his way to shore and, assisted by natives, eventually reached his squadron. His superb airmanship, cool courage, and indomitable fighting spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

SPOT Award: Serial 002176

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: 1st Lieutenant
Unit:: Marine Fighter Squadron 221 (VMF-221), Marine Aircraft Group 12 (MAG-12), U.S. Marine Corps Aviation, U.S. Marine Corps

"For heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Flight Officer and Division Leader in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-221), Marine Air Group TWELVE (MAG-12), attached to the U.S.S. BUNKER HILL (CV-17), during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area, from 15 October 1943 to 15 November 1943. Leading his division in a bold fighter sweep over the Japanese airstrip at Kahili on 18 October, Captain Swett daringly engaged the enemy in a devastating aerial battle in which he shot down in flames one enemy fighter and probably destroyed another before returning from the hazardous mission. Again on 2 November, when members of his own division were forced to return to base because of engine trouble, Captain Swett continued his patrol of our task force by joining a group of P-38's and, launching a determined attack upon the approaching Japanese air armada, shot down two enemy dive bombers and probably destroyed a Zero fighter in the terrific barrage that ensued. His aggressive fighting spirit and superb airmanship throughout numerous escort and fighter missions contributed materially to the effective defense of our units during the initial operations on Bougainville and his courageous conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Second DFC warded as a golden star to be worn on the ribbon of the first DFC. (Commander South Pacific, SPOT: 001509)