Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
John
Harland
Swenson
January 26, 1913

–

June 21, 2002

Born:

Kandyohi County

, 

Minnesota

Home:

Red Owl

, 

South Dakota

Buried: 

Sturgis

, 

South Dakota

Cemetery:

Black Hills National Cemetery

John Swenson graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1938. He retired as a U.S. Army Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Cavalry)

    Action Date:

    September 1961 – June 1965
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 35 (October 27, 1965)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Cavalry) John Harland Swenson, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from September 1961 to June 1965.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Cavalry)

    Action Date:

    1965 – 1967
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Cavalry) John Harland Swenson, United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 1965 to 1967.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Cavalry)

    Action Date:

    1967 – 1969
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Cavalry) John Harland Swenson, United States Army, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 1967 to 1969.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Cavalry)

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    325th Glider Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    82d Airborne Division

    Action Date:

    June 1944
    Headquarters, XVIII Airborne Corps, General Orders No. 11 (1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Cavalry) John Harland Swenson, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of the 2d Battalion, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces in France, in June and July 1944. Colonel Swenson was severely wounded while leading the attack on the enemy position at Le Ham in Normandy, France. His extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 82d Airborne Division, and the United States Army.