The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant James Elms Swett (MCSN: 0-9601), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-221), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area from 16 June 1943 to 22 July 1943. Leading a flight patrol which intercepted a formation of hostile aircraft over Rendova Island on 30 June, Captain Swett aided in dispersing the enemy force, personally shooting down two bombers and assisting one of his fighters in sending a Zero crashing into the sea. On 11 July, accompanied only by his wingman, he attacked a force of fifteen Japanese bombers and escorting fighters over Kula Gulf, and succeeded in shooting down one bomber and one fighter, but was forced to land his badly damaged plane in the sea near the Coast of New Georgia. Although enemy fighters strafed him while he floated in the water after leaving his crippled plane, he made his way to shore and, assisted by natives, eventually reached his squadron. His superb airmanship, cool courage, and indomitable fighting spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Medal of Honor
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
Marine Fighting Squadron 221 (VMF-221)Action Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant James Elms Swett (MCSN: 0-9601), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Silver Star in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-221), Marine Air Group TWELVE (MAG-12), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in action against enemy Japanese aerial forces in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
Marine Fighting Squadron 221 (VMF-221)Action Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant James Elms Swett (MCSN: 0-9601), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Fourth Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-221), Marine Air Group TWELVE (MAG-12), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in action against enemy Japanese aerial forces in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II.
-
Medal of Honor
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
Marine Fighting Squadron 221 (VMF-221)Regiment:
Marine Air Group 12 (MAG-12)Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
April 7, 1943
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant James Elms Swett (MCSN: 0-9601), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and personal valor at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, as Division Leader of Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-221), Marine Air Group TWELVE (MAG-12), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in action against enemy Japanese aerial forces in the Solomons Islands area, 7 April 1943. In a daring flight to intercept a wave of 150 Japanese planes, First Lieutenant Swett unhesitatingly hurled his four-plane division into action against a formation of 15 enemy bombers and personally exploded three hostile planes in midair with accurate and deadly fire during his dive. Although separated from his division while clearing the heavy concentration of anti-aircraft fire, he boldly attacked six enemy bombers, engaged the first four in turn and, unaided, shot down all in flames. Exhausting his ammunition as he closed the fifth Japanese bomber, he relentlessly drove his attack against terrific opposition which partially disabled his engine, shattered the windscreen and slashed his face. In spite of this, he brought his battered plane down with skillful precision in the water off Tulagi without further injury. The superb airmanship and tenacious fighting spirit which enabled First Lieutenant Swett to destroy seven enemy bombers in a single flight were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
Marine Fighting Squadron 221 (VMF-221)Division:
U.S.S. Bunker Hill (CV-17)Action Date:
October 15 – November 15, 1943
Commander South Pacific, SPOT: 001509The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant James Elms Swett (MCSN: 0-9601), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Flight Officer and Division Leader in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-221), Marine Air Group TWELVE (MAG-12), attached to the U.S.S. BUNKER HILL (CV-17), during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area, from 15 October 1943 to 15 November 1943. Leading his division in a bold fighter sweep over the Japanese airstrip at Kahili on 18 October, Captain Swett daringly engaged the enemy in a devastating aerial battle in which he shot down in flames one enemy fighter and probably destroyed another before returning from the hazardous mission. Again on 2 November, when members of his own division were forced to return to base because of engine trouble, Captain Swett continued his patrol of our task force by joining a group of P-38’s and, launching a determined attack upon the approaching Japanese air armada, shot down two enemy dive bombers and probably destroyed a Zero fighter in the terrific barrage that ensued. His aggressive fighting spirit and superb airmanship throughout numerous escort and fighter missions contributed materially to the effective defense of our units during the initial operations on Bougainville and his courageous conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
Marine Fighting Squadron 221 (VMF-221)Action Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant James Elms Swett (MCSN: 0-9601), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-221), Marine Air Group TWELVE (MAG-12), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in action against enemy Japanese aerial forces in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
Marine Fighting Squadron 221 (VMF-221)Action Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant James Elms Swett (MCSN: 0-9601), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-221), Marine Air Group TWELVE (MAG-12), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in action against enemy Japanese aerial forces in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II.