DAVID H. SWENSON, JR., LTJG, USN
David Swenson, Jr. '48
Lucky Bag
From the 1948 Lucky Bag:
David H. Swenson
Taylor, Texas
"Two-block that face, Swenson!" followed by a cheery "Aye, Aye, Sir." was our first introduction to this Texas maverick. Good-natured, full-of-fun Swede soon took to the Academy life. He spent his time excelling in football as well as playing hob with the Academic Departments' well-planned courses by starring in all of them. Swede used his little spare time helping his classmates through the toughies which came easy to him. Somehow he always found time for a game of bridge and the Saturday night movie. Swede's service to our class has been unselfish and outstanding and it's a sure bet that his record in the future will be just as good.
David commanded the Brigade of Midshipmen (2nd set) and was on the football team. He graduated with the class of 1948-A, the last of the wartime-accelerated classes, in June 1947. (The bottom half of the class by academic standing, designated 1948-B, completed an extra year and graduated in June 1948.)
David H. Swenson
Taylor, Texas
"Two-block that face, Swenson!" followed by a cheery "Aye, Aye, Sir." was our first introduction to this Texas maverick. Good-natured, full-of-fun Swede soon took to the Academy life. He spent his time excelling in football as well as playing hob with the Academic Departments' well-planned courses by starring in all of them. Swede used his little spare time helping his classmates through the toughies which came easy to him. Somehow he always found time for a game of bridge and the Saturday night movie. Swede's service to our class has been unselfish and outstanding and it's a sure bet that his record in the future will be just as good.
David commanded the Brigade of Midshipmen (2nd set) and was on the football team. He graduated with the class of 1948-A, the last of the wartime-accelerated classes, in June 1947. (The bottom half of the class by academic standing, designated 1948-B, completed an extra year and graduated in June 1948.)
Loss
David was killed in action on September 13, 1950 when USS Lyman K. Swenson (DD 729) was struck by shore battery fire at Inchon, Korea.
Other Information
From Together We Served:
On 12 September 1950, the Lyman K. Swenson (DD-729) sailed as a ship of Task Element 90.62, the Destroyer Element of the Gunfire Support Group of the Inchon Attack Force. The following day at noon the six-ship Destroyer Element stood into Inchon harbor. On the way in, they encountered a mine field. Because it was low tide, the mines were visible, floating on the surface. Lyman K. Swenson destroyed one mine with 40-mm gunfire.
After anchoring in assigned positions, the destroyers conducted a one-hour bombardment against observed and suspected gun positions on the island of Wolmi-do and in the city of Inchon. This reconnaissance-in-force was intended to draw the fire of North Korean batteries. Thus their location would be revealed for neutralization by destroyer or cruiser gunfire, or by air strikes. The bombardment was highly successful. The press, and later on the historians, aptly dubbed the ships of the Destroyer Element as "Sitting Ducks." Upon retirement from the harbor, some enemy guns that had not been silenced opened up on the narrow channel through which the destroyers had to pass. Shell fragments killed LTJG David H. Swenson and wounded another officer on board Swenson during channel transit. The next day, LTJG Swenson was buried at sea.
He had no relation to the ship's namesake, Capt. Lyman K. Swenson.
Biography
From researcher Kathy Franz:
On October 30, 1942, David played in the Taylor vs Burbank football game. The local newspaper wrote: "David played on the Duckling B team for three years and lettered one year at half back. Swenson has played on the A team for two years and is now playing the same position as he played on the B team. This is David’s last year for he is a senior in school. He is 16 years old, stands five feet and nine inches high, weighs 160, brown hair and brown eyes. He has a grand personality.”
David served as master of ceremonies at the junior-senior banquet on May 9, 1942. At the April interscholastic league meet, David participated on the debate team and in a one-act play. David graduated in 1943 from Taylor High School and was voted the “most friendliest boy,” “leading boy citizen,” and “smartest boy.” He had the leading role in the senior class play “Ever Since Eve” playing Johnny Clover, newspaper editor. He was president and salutatorian of the senior class.
David enrolled in the Southwest State Teachers college at San Marcos and at mid-term passed for the entrance in the naval unit at Rice. There he made the second string with the Rice Owls, and in April 1944, he received notice that he passed for Annapolis. He was appointed by (future President) Congressman Lyndon B. Johnson.
At graduation, he received a letter of commendation from the superintendent of the Naval Academy for leadership within the Brigade, a wrist watch from the Fleet Reserve Association for standing highest in conduct and aptitude, a kodak from the Daughters of the American Revolution for excellence in Seamanship, the Sons of the Revolution Cup for proficiency in practical ordnance and gunnery, and the Class of 1897 Sword for having contributed most by his officer-like qualities and positive character to the development of naval spirit and loyalty within the Brigades. He was congratulated by Fleet Admiral William Leahy.
After graduation, David sailed for China in October 1947.
David's father was a post office clerk, mother Margaret, brother Thomas. His father died in September 1945.
David has a memory marker in Hawaii.
Photographs
Burial at sea of Lt. (jg) David H. Swenson on board the USS Toledo CA-133. The USS Lyman K. Swenson DD-729 is seen in the background.
Silver Star
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade David H. Swenson, Jr. (NSN: 0-498457), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving in U.S.S. LYMAN K. SWENSON (DD-729), in the Korean area on 13 September 1950. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Swenson, while assigned the duties of Gunnery Liaison Officer, was charged with ascertaining from available information on hand the correct and specific targets on which his ship should fire during its bombardment of Inchon, Korea, on 13 September 1950, and to keep the ship's gunner control officer informed accordingly. While carrying out his assigned duties of observing the effect of his ship's gunfire on the enemy shore batteries and applying that information to the ship's gunfire charts in order that the guns could receive accurate revised target data, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Swenson was struck by enemy counter-battery fire and instantly killed. By his courageous action and devotion to duty in refusing to leave his unprotected post in the face of heavy enemy fire, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Swenson was responsible for obtaining and furnishing such valuable information to the gunnery control officer that he definitely assisted his ship to escape damage from enemy gunfire, thereby providing a material contribution to the war effort of the Korean Campaign. His conduct served as an inspiration to the members of the ship's company and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 1090 (November 20, 1950)
Action Date: September 13, 1950
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Division: U.S.S. Lyman K. Swenson (DD-729)
Related Articles
Charles Strahley '48 and Robert Smith '48 were also also on the football team.
Don Stephens '48 and David Thornhill '48 were also in 6th Company.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
