Pfc. James H. Swanson

How this story crossed my path

On November 6, 1944, Frank Klepper was killed by friendly fire in our municipality of Putte (find the story here). Six of his brothers in arms were also wounded in this accident. They were Corporal William A. Bassi, T/5 William E. Stireman, Private First Class James H. Swanson, Private First Class Martin I. Mueller, Private First Class Adam Valuchivich, and Private Herbert G. Bernard.

For their contribution to our freedom, I would also like to give these men the recognition they deserve. Here the story of Private First Class James H. Swanson, a member of D Battery, 494th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Gun Battalion.

Biography and Wartime Service

James Hugo Swanson was born on July 26, 1924 in Amiret, Minnesota to Lydia Lena Gempeler and Hugo Swanson, born in Stockaryd, Sweden. James Swanson was barely 4 years old when he lost his father at the very young age of 34. In 1935, the family moved to Somers, where James attended school and graduated the eight grade.

Hames H. Swanson entered the service on December 16, 1941 in Missoula, Montana and was part of the original men assigned to the 494th when it was formed in Iceland in 1942. At 18 years old, James Swanson was one of the youngest members of the battery. Two years later, November 2, 1944 Swanson and the 494th AAA Gun Bn arrived in Putte, as part of operation 'Antwerp X'.

In the accident on November 6, 1944 which killed Frank Klepper, James Swanson suffered injuries from the shrapnel of the exploding 40mm shell. He was initially treated at the hospital for the care of wounds on his cheek. Because of the light injuries James did not lose any time with his unit and was able to return to his duties quickly. Despite the incident and losing Gun nr 4, D-Battery was operational again 4 hours later at their new location in the Heerkenslei, Putte. He was honorably discharged on November 1, 1945.

After his military service he married Jordis Viola Erie on February 19, 1946, in Libby, Montana. They make Eureka, Montana, their home and were blessed with four children. James and Jordis Swanson were divorced on February 19, 1978, after 31 years of marriage. James Swanson owned and operated a trucking business in Eureka, Montana until 1973, when he was elected Justice of the Peace and Eureke City Judge. He served in this position until his retirement in January 1991.
James Hugo Swanson died at Brandon House Comfort Care Unit, Kalispell, Montana, on February 15, 1995, after a lengthy battle against cancer. He was survived by his loving companion, Ivy Clements, his former wife Jordis V. Swanson (1927-2014) and his four children. At his request, ther will be no services or flowers. James said he didn't want to give anyone the excuse to miss work because they attended his service.

Gallery

click on the images to enlarge

Thanks to Jim Swanson and family for sharing the wartime photo of his father James Swanson