Biography

Harry W. Swinburne was born on January 4, 1923 in Delhi, Iowa. He joined the United States Navy in 1942 and graduated from the Navy Aviation Cadet V-5 program the following year. Swinburne served aboard the USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) with Fighting Squadron 45 (VF-45), flying missions over Formosa, Okinawa, and other areas of the Pacific Theater. In addition to his aerial victories, he also scored three ship victories: two gunboats east of Okinawa and a freighter in Takao Harbor. Swinburne remained in the military after the end of World War II and went on to hold a number of command positions, including air officer for the USS Essex, skipper of Attack Squadron 6 (VA-6) on the USS Enterprise, and commander of Naval Support Force Antarctica. He also served as a helicopter pilot during the Korean War. Swinburne retired as a captain in 1972 and passed away in 1991.

Found in 1 Collection or Record: