Swing, Joseph May

Date of birth:: February 28th, 1894 (Jersey City/New Jersey, United States)
Date of death:: December 9th, 1984
Buried on:: Arlington National Cemetery
Plot: 30. Grave: 17.
Nationality:: American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

Joseph May Swing studied at the U.S.
Promotions:
1915: Second Lieutenant;
1916: First Lieutenant;
1917: Captain;
1918: Major (National Army);
1924: Major;
1936: Lieutenant Colonel;
1941: Colonel (Army of the United States);
1942: Brigadier General (Army of the United States);
1943: Major General (Army of the United States);
1943: Colonel;
1947: Brigadier General;
1948: Major General;
1951: Lieutenant General.

Career:
1915: Military Academy;
1915: 4th Field Artillery;
1916: 8th Field Artillery;
1917: Aide-de-campe, General March;
1918: Aide-de-campe, Army Chief of Staff;
1921: 1st Field Artillery;
1926: Command and General Staff School;
1927: Instructor, Field Artillery School;
1931: Office of the Chief of Field Artillery;
1934: Army War College;
1935: Executive officer, 6th Field Artillery;
1938: Assistant chief of staff, G-2 (Intelligence), 2nd Division;
1940: Chief of Staff, 2nd Division;
1941: Artillery Commander, 1st Cavalry Division;
1942: Artillery Commander, 82nd Division;
1942: Artillery Commander, 82nd Airborne Division;
1942: War Department;
25th February 1943 - February 1946: Commander, 11th Airborne Division;
June 1946 - January 1948: Commander, 11th Airborne Division;
1st February 1948 - 27th January 1949: Commander, Ist Corps;
9th April 1949 - 31st March 1950: Commandant, Artillery School;
1950 - 1st July 1951: Commandant, Army War College;
1951: Commander, 6th Army;
1954: Retirement;
24th May 1954 - 5th January 1962: Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization.

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Distinguished Service Medal - Army (DSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major General
Unit:: Commanding General, HQ, 11th Airborne Division "Angels", U.S. Army
Awarded on:: 1945

"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, as Commanding General of the 11th Airborne Division from 1943 to 1945."

War Department, General Orders No. 53

Distinguished Service Medal - Army (DSM)

Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major General
Unit:: Commanding General, HQ, 11th Airborne Division "Angels", U.S. Army
Awarded on:: 1945

Headquarters, XXIV Corps, General Orders No. 10

Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major General
Unit:: Commanding General, HQ, 11th Airborne Division "Angels", U.S. Army
Awarded on:: 1945

This award was obtained in the form of an Oak Leave to be attached on the ribbon of the first award. (Headquarters, 8th Army, General Orders No. 13)

Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major General
Unit:: Commanding General, HQ, 11th Airborne Division "Angels", U.S. Army
Awarded on:: September 26th, 1947

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Joseph May Swing (0-3801), Major General, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding General, 11th Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces from 15 to 17 April 1945, at Luzon, Philippine Islands. Major General Swing displayed superior tactical knowledge and inspiring leadership while personally leading repeated attacks against the strong Japanese defense position at Mt. Macolod, Batangas, Luzon. He flew many dangerous flights in liaison airplanes at low altitudes over the heavily defended ridges in order to make a thorough estimate of the enemy positions and of the terrain. Despite the protest of subordinates, he personally, and on foot, led tank destroyers forward through intense enemy machine-gun and mortar fire to place them in more advantageous positions, and directed their fire so effectively that the enemy-held ridge was taken without further delay. He then moved to the south flank where he found the front lines stalemated and weapons unmanned because of heavy enemy fire. With heroic disregard for his personal safety, General Swing strode fearlessly between tanks and machine guns, calling upon his troops to man their weapons and attack. Inspired by his fearlessness and heroic action, the troops attacked, silenced the Japanese fire, and seized and held the main enemy positions. Through his inspiring courage and valiant leadership, General Swing made a distinguished contribution to the liberation of the Philippine Islands. His gallant leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 11th Airborne Division, and the United States Army.

Department of the Army, General Orders No. 2

Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major General
Unit:: Commanding General, HQ, 11th Airborne Division "Angels", U.S. Army

This award was obtained in the form of a second Oak Leave to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.
Citation unavailable.

Legion of Merit - US Military

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major General
Unit:: Commanding General, HQ, 11th Airborne Division "Angels", U.S. Army

"For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding General of the 11th Airborne Division from 1943 to 1945."

Bronze Star Medal (BSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Bronze Star Medal (BSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster

Bronze Star Medal (BSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster

Bronze Star Medal (BSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster

Air Medal (AM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major General
Unit:: Commanding General, HQ, 11th Airborne Division "Angels", U.S. Army

Air Medal (AM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major General
Unit:: Commanding General, HQ, 11th Airborne Division "Angels", U.S. Army

This award was obtained in the form of an Oak Leave to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.

US Army Parachute Badge

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Sources

Photo 1: ww2-airborne.us
Photo: ww2-airborne.us
- Flanagan, E.M., The Angels – A History of the 11th Airborne Division 1943-1946, The Battery Press, Nashville, USA, 1988
- Arlingtoncemetery.net
- Home of Heroes
- ww2-airborne.us
- Find a Grave

Swing, Joseph May

Biography

Distinguished Service Medal - Army (DSM)

Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Legion of Merit - US Military

Bronze Star Medal (BSM)

Bronze Star Medal (BSM)

Bronze Star Medal (BSM)

Bronze Star Medal (BSM)

Air Medal (AM)

Air Medal (AM)

US Army Parachute Badge

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