Joseph M. Swing
Encyclopedia
Joseph May Swing was a Lieutenant General
in the United States Army
, who commanded the 11th Airborne Division during the campaign to liberate the Philippines in World War II
.
, New Jersey
, on February 28, 1894. Swing attended the United States Military Academy
and was graduated and commissioned a Second Lieutenant
in 1915 (as part of "the class the stars fell on
"). As a young officer, he served as an aide to General Peyton March during World War 1. He was an artillery officer between the wars. During World War 2, after two artillery commands he was promoted to Commanding General, 11th Airborne Division 1943-48
Commanding General, I Corps 1948-49
Commanding General, Artillery Center/Commandant, The Artillery School 1949-50
Commandant, Army War College 1950-51
Commanding General, 6th US.Army 1951-54
He retired from active duty in 1954 and served as Commissioner, U.S. Bureau of Immigration & Naturalization 1954-61 under Eisenhower.
He died on December 9, 1984, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery
.
Lieutenant General (United States)
In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, who commanded the 11th Airborne Division during the campaign to liberate the Philippines in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Biography
He was born in Jersey CityJersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, on February 28, 1894. Swing attended the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
and was graduated and commissioned a Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
in 1915 (as part of "the class the stars fell on
The class the stars fell on
"The class the stars fell on" is an expression used to describe the United States Military Academy class of 1915. In the U.S. Army, the insignia reserved for generals is one or more stars. Of the 164 graduates that year, 59 attained the rank of general, the most of any class in the history of the...
"). As a young officer, he served as an aide to General Peyton March during World War 1. He was an artillery officer between the wars. During World War 2, after two artillery commands he was promoted to Commanding General, 11th Airborne Division 1943-48
Commanding General, I Corps 1948-49
Commanding General, Artillery Center/Commandant, The Artillery School 1949-50
Commandant, Army War College 1950-51
Commanding General, 6th US.Army 1951-54
He retired from active duty in 1954 and served as Commissioner, U.S. Bureau of Immigration & Naturalization 1954-61 under Eisenhower.
Decorations
Distinguished Service CrossDistinguished Service Cross (United States)The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
Army Distinguished Service MedalDistinguished Service Medal (Army)The Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Army that is presented to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the United States military, has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great...
Silver StarSilver StarThe Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
with two oak leaf clusters
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
Bronze StarBronze Star MedalThe Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with two oak leaf clusters
Air MedalAir MedalThe Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
with oak leaf cluster
He died on December 9, 1984, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
.