Born: August 15, 1920
Died: September 5, 2002
Campaigns Served: Namur, Saipan, Tinian (sick), Iwo Jima (wounded)
Highest Rank Attained: Captain
Decorations:
Bronze Star,
Purple Heart
Joseph Swoyer was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1920. His father, Joseph Sr, was an affluent businessman, and the family enjoyed a life of considerable luxury. Joe Swoyer attended La Salle College, and enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve after graduation. He married Peggy Goodwin before shipping out to join Dog Company, 24th Marines.
With Dog Company:
Lieutenant Swoyer took command of Dog Company's second machine gun platoon - four heavy M1917 Brownings, their crews, and a small headquarters contingent. They fought in the battle of Namur in February, 1944, and were disbanded a month later while on Camp Maui.
With Baker Company:
Swoyer, along with the majority of his platoon, was assigned to Baker Company where they became part of the new machine gun platoon. Lieutenant Swoyer took command, and led this combined platoon into action on Saipan. He was one of the few officers left in the company by July 8, when First Battalion ran into a Japanese ambush:
"While climbing down the cliff, a small group led by Lt. Joe Swoyer stumbled onto some concealed enemy who opened up at point-blank range. Swoyer saw the man beside him drop with a bullet through the head, and luckily managed to escape himself. When he got back to the remainder of the patrol, they had sounded a cry for a corpsman, to which cry he replied--"Never mind, it's too late. He caught it right through the head and he's gone." "But there's motion out there," replied a couple of men. Without looking again Swoyer repeated, "It's no use. I checked him and he's dead." "Not yet," answered the supposed dead man as he emerged from the woods, his head bloody but under his own power."
- Frederic Stott, "Saipan Under Fire."
Lieutenant Swoyer made the assault landing on Tinian, but was evacuated later that day, too ill to continue the campaign.
Upon returning to the company, Joseph Swoyer was promoted to Captain and assigned as the Executive Officer of Baker Company. He held this position through the opening phase of the battle of Iwo Jima.
With Charlie Company:
On the morning of March 1, 1945, Captain Frederic Stott, in command of Charlie Company, was evacuated from the battlefield with a fractured leg. As the attack faltered and withdrew under cover of smoke, Swoyer received word to report to Charlie Company as acting CO. The captain reorganized the shaken company, and coordinated a new attack, set to begin at 1300 the same day. After a preparatory barrage, the attack stepped off on schedule.
The battalion's after action report noted that "Enemy small arms fire was still intense." Swoyer was hit by a Japanese rifle bullet at exactly 1302, and was summarily evacuated. He had commanded the company for less than four hours. Swoyer was evacuated to Naval Hospital #10; his combat career was over.
Swoyer moved to Boise, Idaho, where he died in 2002. He is buried in Morris Hill Cemetery.
Photo by Sheryl, FindAGrave.com volunteer