Joseph May Swing
Joseph May Swing | |
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General Douglas MacArthur, (second from the right), upon his arrival at Atsugi airdrome, near Tokyo, Japan, 30 August 1945. General Robert L. Eichelberger (right); Major General Joseph Swing (left). | |
Born |
Jersey City, New Jersey, United States | February 28, 1894
Died | December 9, 1984 90) | (aged
Buried at | Arlington National Cemetery, United States |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/branch | United States Army |
Years of service | 1915–1954 |
Rank | Lieutenant General |
Unit | Field Artillery Branch |
Commands held |
11th Airborne Division I Corps |
Battles/wars |
World War I World War II |
Awards |
Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star (3) Legion of Merit Bronze Star (3) Air Medal (2) |
Lieutenant General Joseph May Swing (February 28, 1894 – December 9, 1984) was a senior United States Army officer, who fought in World War I and commanded the 11th Airborne Division during the campaign to liberate the Philippines in World War II.
Biography
He was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on February 28, 1894. Swing attended the United States Military Academy and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant upon graduation in 1915 (as part of "the class the stars fell on"). As a young officer, he served as an aide to General Peyton March during World War 1. He was an artillery officer between the wars. During World War 2, after two artillery commands he was promoted to:
- Commanding General, 11th Airborne Division 1943-48
- Commanding General, I Corps 1948-49
- Commanding General, Artillery Center/Commandant, The Artillery School 1949-50
- Commandant, Army War College 1950-51
- Commanding General, 6th US.Army 1951-54
He retired from active duty in 1954 and served as Commissioner, U.S. Bureau of Immigration & Naturalization 1954-61 under Eisenhower.
Decorations
- Distinguished Service Cross
- Army Distinguished Service Medal
- Silver Star with two oak leaf clusters
- Legion of Merit
- Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters
- Air Medal with oak leaf cluster
He died on December 9, 1984, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Joseph May Swing. |
Military offices | ||
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Preceded by Newly activated organization |
Commanding General 11th Airborne Division 1943–1948 |
Succeeded by Post deactivated |
Preceded by Roscoe B. Woodruff |
Commanding General I Corps 1949–1950 |
Succeeded by John B. Coulter |
Preceded by Albert C. Wedemeyer |
Commanding General Sixth Army 1951–1954 |
Succeeded by Willard G. Wyman |