Death of James E. Swett, Medal of Honor Winner, USMC

Died January 18, 2009. Shot down seven Japanese bombers over the Solomon Islands April 7, 1943.

Then 22, Swett was on his first combat mission and led F4F-4 Wildcats against 150 Japanese bombers and fighters. He led his four fighter group against 15 enemy planes and shot down three of them himself with his accurate fire. Even though hit by friendly anti-aircraft fire, he continued fighting.

Swett came in behind a group of five bombers and quickly took out four. Running dangerously low on ammunition, he closed in on the fifth and got in close enough to see the face of the tail gunner at which time he was shot down.

He crashed into the sea, breaking his nose and was picked up by a US patrol boat.

Now, that is as much action as anyone should ever have in just one day. He became an Ace for that and received the Congressional Medal of Honor.

But, that is not the end of his story.

he recuperated from the crash and began flying F44 Corsairs off aircraft carriers. In July 1943, he was shot down again, this time near New Guinea, and spent four days on a raft before rescue.

During the war, he took part in more than 100 missions and was at Iwo Jima and Okinawa and was credited for 15.5 confirmed kills. Along with the the Medal of Honor, Swett received a Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart and Air Medal.

Quite a Hero. --GreGen