JOHN P. MACSWAIN, LT, USN
John Macswain '74
Lucky Bag
From the 1974 Lucky Bag:
John P. MacSwain
Merrill, Wisconsin
“Jack the Mac”, an old farmer from way back, came to USNA from Merrill, Wisconsin. During the years here, we were all aware of Mac’s deep interest in studies as we listened to book after book slam against the walls. Following up as a wrestler in high school, Jack kept up with Navy wrestling and found himself as varsity manager during 1/c year. When not with the wrestling team, Jack was wrestling every night with his roommates. Mac kept the company in stiches with his on the spot infinite combinations of four letter words, “a must for every officer-gentleman”. Jack’s dynamic personality and persistence has shown us in 4th that he will make a fine junior officer and be successful in later endeavors.
John P. MacSwain
Merrill, Wisconsin
“Jack the Mac”, an old farmer from way back, came to USNA from Merrill, Wisconsin. During the years here, we were all aware of Mac’s deep interest in studies as we listened to book after book slam against the walls. Following up as a wrestler in high school, Jack kept up with Navy wrestling and found himself as varsity manager during 1/c year. When not with the wrestling team, Jack was wrestling every night with his roommates. Mac kept the company in stiches with his on the spot infinite combinations of four letter words, “a must for every officer-gentleman”. Jack’s dynamic personality and persistence has shown us in 4th that he will make a fine junior officer and be successful in later endeavors.
Loss
John died on February 23, 1979 of "injuries received December 26 in a shipboard accident" on USS Inchon (LPH 12), inport Portsmouth, Virginia. He was working with a crew to raise a sunken launch to the deck when a cable snapped, struck him, and knocked him into the water.
Other Information
From Wausau (Wisconsin) Daily Herald:
Lt. MacSwain was born March 3, 1952, in Merrill, son of Robert and Geraldine MacSwain, Merrill Route 2. He was married Oct. 27, 1977, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Sandra Roble, who survives.
He was a 1970 graduate of Merrill High School and a member of the state championship wrestling team that year, and was graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1974. A member of the U.S. Navy, he was serving as an engineering officer aboard the USS Inchon. He was a member of the Naval Academy Alumni Association and St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church in Merrill.
Surviving besides his wife, Sandra, and parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert MacSwain, are four brothers, Steven, Black River Falls, Rob, University of Wisconsin - River Falls, and Donald and James, both at home; and a sister, Mary Jo MacSwain, Evanston, Ill.
From researcher Kathy Franz: "He graduated from Merrill High School in 1970. Student Council Alternate 3; Class Council Regular 3, 4; Alternate 3; Cross Country 2, 3, 4; Wrestling 2, 3, 4; Senior Band 3, 4; Viking Band 2; President 2, 4; German Club 3; Lettermen’s Club 3, 4."
He entered the Naval Academy with a high school classmate of his, Rick W. Mann.
John is listed on the "In Memoriam" page of USS Inchon's 1978 79 cruise book.
John is buried in Wisconsin.
Photographs
From his high school yearbook
From his high school yearbook
Memorial Hall Error
John is not listed with his classmates. He was identified by reviewing Shipmate magazine issues; his date of death and "Portsmouth VA" is given in the May 1979 issue.
The Register of Alumni has no date of death, but lists him as deceased and also LT, Retired.
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