Robert Herman Swanson (1921 - 1945)

Born 10 Feb 1921 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, United States

Ancestors

Died 30 Jul 1945 at age 24 in Philippine Sea

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Biography

Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Robert Swanson served in the United States Navy in World War II
Service started: 8 Oct 1942
Unit(s): USS Indianapolis (CA-35)
Service ended: 30 Jul 1945

Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Robert Swanson was Killed in Action during World War II.

Robert Swanson was awarded the Purple Heart.

Robert was born in 1921 and baptized 2 Jun 1922 at the Augustana Lutheran Church (Bethlehem), Detroit, Wayne, Michigan. His parents were Herman Winfield Swanson 1891–1949 and Frances Ingeborg Hilburg 1890–1963. ^[1]

Robert enlisted in the Naval Reserve on 8 Oct 1942. He was received on the USS Indianapolis 5 May 1943, serving as Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class.^[2]

In July 1945 the USS Indianapolis was sent on a secret mission to deliver the components of the Little Boy atomic bomb to Tinian Island without an escort, on the return trip, still without escort, it was attacked by a Japanese submarine. The USS Indianapolis sank in 12 minutes on 30 Jul 1945 with some 300 of the 1,195 crewmen aboard going down with the ship. With few lifeboats and many without life jackets, only 316 of the nearly 900 men set adrift survived the 4 days in shark infested water before rescue. Robert was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. The crew of the USS Indianapolis was later awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.^[3][4]

Robert is honored at two memorials: USS Indianapolis National Memorial, Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana and Fort William Mckinley, Manila, Philippines.^[5][6]

Sources

1. ↑ Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Swedish American Church Records https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/31103533:61584
2. ↑ U.S., World War II Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949 https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/30426080:1143
3. ↑ U.S., Navy Casualties Books https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/113007:2324
4. ↑ U.S., Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Unaccounted-for Remains, Group B (Unrecoverable) https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/31871:62207?tid=&pid=&queryId=f0f24796e5c25c063415f83621fb38e3&_phsrc=EzO8433&_phstart=successSource
5. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56757990/robert-herman-swanson: accessed 23 May 2023), memorial page for MM2 Robert Herman Swanson (10 Feb 1921–30 Jul 1945), Find a Grave Memorial ID 56757990, citing Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines; Maintained by IrishEyes (contributor 47644540)
6. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/194093467/robert-herman-swanson: accessed 23 May 2023), memorial page for Robert Herman Swanson (unknown–30 Jul 1945), Find a Grave Memorial ID 194093467, citing U.S.S. Indianapolis National Memorial, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA; Maintained by Laura J. Stewart (contributor 47412616).

• "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XC8H-7YN : accessed 26 May 2023), Robert H Swanson in household of Herman W Swanson, Los Angeles (Districts 0501-0750), Los Angeles, California
• "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K97K-T8N : 5 January 2021), Robert H Swanson in household of Ellsworth G Nibbs, Glendale Judicial Township, Los Angeles, California
• "California, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945" https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGF4-8PN6
• Robert is included on the USS Indianapolis in World War II Wikitree Space Page https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:USS_Indianapolis_%28CA-35%29_in_World_War_II