Richard C Swift

Richard C Swift
U.S. Air Force
Major [O-4]
Biography:
Des Moines native Richard Clair Swift graduated from North High School before attending Iowa State University. At I.S.U. he was well accomplished. Swift graduated with honors in 1953, he was awarded the prestigious Cardinal Key, he served as graduating class Vice President, and was named to the Tau Beta Pi national scholastic honorary engineering fraternity. Shortly after graduation Swift joined the Air Force. His first assignment was in England and Scotland before he was deployed to Southeast Asia. MAJ Swift was serving in Thailand with the 504th Tactical Air Support Group. Swift was known by his fellow airmen as “Major Dick.” He died on November 22, 1968 when the O-2A aircraft he was aboard clipped a tree and crashed. MAJ Swift was 37 years old at the time of his death. He left behind a wife, a son, and three daughters. MAJ Swift was posthumously awarded the Air Medal and Purple Heart. The Iowan was buried at the Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines.
County:
Polk
City of EntryDes Moines
Conflict/Time PeriodVietnam War
Service Location
Organization(s)
Separation StatusKilled In Action (KIA)
Specialty/Rate
Specific Jobs