Medal of Honor: James Elms Swett – World War II – April 7, 1943

Name: James Elms Swett
Rank: First Lieutenant
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
War: World War II
Unit: Marine Fighter Squadron 221, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
Date of Action: April 7, 1943
Location: Solomon Islands Area

Summary of Action

On 7 April 1943, First Lieutenant James E. Swett was serving as a division leader with Marine Fighting Squadron 221 in the Solomon Islands campaign.

When a massive wave of approximately 150 Japanese aircraft approached, Swett led a four-plane division to intercept.

Without hesitation, he hurled his small formation against fifteen enemy bombers.

During his first diving attack, he exploded three hostile aircraft in midair with deadly accurate fire.

Separated from the rest of his division while maneuvering through intense antiaircraft fire, Swett continued the fight alone.

He attacked six additional bombers and engaged the first four in succession.

Unaided, he shot down all four in flames.

As he closed on a fifth bomber, his ammunition was exhausted.

Even then, he pressed the attack so fiercely that the enemy’s return fire partially disabled his engine, shattered his windscreen, and slashed his face.

Despite wounds and a crippled aircraft, Swett retained control of his battered fighter and skillfully ditched in the water off Tulagi without further injury.

In one extraordinary combat flight, he destroyed seven enemy bombers.

His superb airmanship, fearless aggression, and relentless fighting spirit upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Medal of Honor Citation

SWETT, JAMES ELMS

For extraordinary heroism and personal valor above and beyond the call of duty, as division leader of Marine Fighting Squadron 221 with Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st 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, 1st Lt. Swett unhesitatingly hurled his 4-plane division into action against a formation of 15 enemy bombers and personally exploded 3 hostile planes in midair with accurate and deadly fire during his dive. Although separated from his division while clearing the heavy concentration of antiaircraft fire, he boldly attacked 6 enemy bombers, engaged the first 4 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 1st Lt. Swett to destroy 7 enemy bombers in a single flight were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.