CPT Jon E. Swanson died in S.
E. Asia in the country of Cambodia on February 26th, 1971 while
flying an OH-6A helicopter. His remains, along with the remains
of his gunner/observer, SSG Larry Harrison, were finally recovered
in late 2001. Their remains came home and were buried together
in the same grave at Arlington National Cemetery on May 3, 2002.
Thus ended a 31 year wait for the families of each of these brave
warriors.
Congressional Medal
of Honor
(Words of President
George W. Bush on May 1, 2002 during a private ceremony in the
White House Rose Garden awarding CPT Jon E. Swanson the Congressional
Medal of Honor.)
"The Medal of Honor recognizes
acts of bravery that no superior could rightly order a soldier
to perform. The courage it signifies -- gallant, intrepid service
at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty -- is written
forever in the service record of Army Captain Jon Swanson."
"A helicopter pilot in
the Vietnam War, Captain Swanson flew his last mission on his
second tour of duty, on February 26th, 1971, over Cambodia. As
Allied forces on the ground came under heavy enemy fire, Captain
Swanson was called in to provide close air support. Flying at
tree-top level, he found and engaged the enemy, exposing himself
to intense fire from the ground. He ran out of heavy ordinance,
yet continued to drop smoke grenades to mark other targets for
nearby gunships."
"Captain Swanson made
it back to safety, his ammunition nearly gone, and his Scout helicopter
heavily damaged. Had he stayed on the ground, no one would have
faulted him. But he had seen more -- he had seen that more targets
needed marking, to eliminate the danger to the troops on the ground.
He volunteered to do the job himself, flying directly into enemy
fire, until his helicopter exploded in flight."
"Captain Swanson's actions,
said one fellow officer, "were the highest degree of personal
bravery and self-sacrifice I have ever witnessed". Others
agreed, and the Medal of Honor was recommended by the Chairman
of the Joint Chiefs, and by the late Admiral John McCain. However,
only the Distinguished Service Cross was awarded, until a recent
review of the case made clear that the nation's highest military
honor was in order."
May 1, 2002
Sandee Swanson receiving
the Congressional Medal of Honor from President George Bush flanked
by her daughters Brigid (L) and Holly (R)
The day following the awarding
of the Congressional Medal of Honor to the family by President
Bush, a ceremony was held in the Pentagon at the "Hall of
Heroes". The "Hall of Heroes" is a special place
which describes and lists all recipients of the Medal of Honor
since its inception by Congress in 1862.
May 2, 2002
L to R: Sec. of Army Tom
White, Sandee Swanson, widow,
Chief of Staff of the Army
GEN Eric Shinseki and SGMajor of the Army Jack Tilley.
A wake was held at the Murphy
Funeral Home in Arlington, VA, just outside Ft.. Meyers the evening
of Thursday, May 2, 2002. Attending were numerous family and friends
of both Jon Swanson and Larry Harrison. A number of men who had
served with Jon Swanson in flight school in ORWAC 66-10, and while
he served in Vietnam with the 3/5 Cavalry and B/1/9th Cavalry
were also in attendance.
Casket for CPT Jon E. Swanson
and SSG Larry Harrison.
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
May 3, 2002
Ft. Meyer Chapel
Heroes respect
Preparing to March
Ready to begin
Spring morning March
Family and Friends
Final Arrival
Final Resting Place
Preparing the Flag before
the Salute Volleys (background)
Folding for presentation
A Loving Touch
And so, on May 3, 2002 in Arlington
National Cemetery, CPT Jon E. Swanson and SSG Larry Harrison were
laid to rest at home in the United States of America, at last.....after
31 years!
May God Rest their Soul's
(This Memorial and Tribute photographed and
developed entirely by Thomas H. Payne
a flight school classmate with Jon E. Swanson
in honor of him and Larry Harrison.)
