MEDALS, CITATIONS AWARDED TO MEN FROM THIS LOCALITY
Ribbons, crosses and emblems earned for heroism while serving a nation at war will adorn the uniform of many a warrior from Muscatine and community when he returns from battle in World War No. 2.
For this area’s fighting sons have already earned a distinguished collection of awards. News stories from war centers have told of the acts of these men who have won distinction in battles—on the land, on the sea, and in the air.
From the most remote battle areas and from the most active theaters of war have come news stories of citations bestowed for heroism, for acts “beyond the call of duty,” and other commendable performances of young men who have gone forth from this community.
Many will be wearers of the “Purple Heart,” an award made for injuries suffered while on duty.
For some, the actions which merited official recognition, brought physical injuries—injuries so serious they meant the end of the war insofar as the individual hero was concerned.
Others, who suffered wounds of a lesser degree, recovered sufficiently at hospitals abroad to permit their re-entry into actual combat duty. For sulfa drugs, blood plasma and penicillin have spelled the difference between life and death, between slow and rapid recovery to many who were injured.
Some of the wounded from this area have returned to hospitals in this country to undergo further treatment and the possibility of return to war theaters or final discharge from the service.
The list of those who have suffered injuries or incurred ailments while in training in this country has added to the numbers of Muscatine service men who have already received honorable discharges or are scheduled for release from military service.
A partial list of those who suffered injuries while in active service abroad or while on duty in camps of this country, gathered from information supplied to the Journal are listed here:
Mr. and Mrs. William Swale received official word on May 26 that their oldest son, LeRoy Swale, had been injured in action in Northern Africa. His left hand was crushed by a falling rock, broken loose from a bomb explosion. He was one of the first youths to enter the service from the Montpelier community. The Swales have three other sons in the service.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, Annual Edition, December 30, 1943
Sgt. R. V. Swale Killed in Italy, Family Informed
Sgt. Robert V. Swale, 24, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Swale of Montpelier, was killed in action in Italy March 21, the War Department has informed his parents.
Sgt. Swale was the second eldest son in the family. Two brothers, LeRoy and Richard Swale, also in service abroad, have been reported wounded previously, LeRoy, the oldest son, in Africa last year, and Richard while in service in Italy in February. He has returned to duty. LeRoy is reported now on leave and expected home shortly.
Sgt. Swale visited at home in June, 1943, after completing training in Virginia, and went overseas shortly after reporting back to Nashville, Tenn., for duty.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, April 25, 1944
Service Record Unusual For Four Swale Brothers
Montpelier—Two of the four sons of Mr. and Mrs. William Swale who answered Uncle Sam’s call to don the Army’s khaki enjoyed a brief visit with their parents and with each other at home here recently.
They are Cpl. LeRoy Swale, 27, who is at home on a 24 day furlough after service of 27 months overseas in Ireland, England, and North Africa, during which he was wounded, and Pfc. Jack Swale, 20, who has returned to the Municipal Airport at Nashville, Tenn., where he is with a ferrying squadron.
A third son of Mr. and Mrs. Swale, Pvt. Richard Swale, 22, is in service abroad and was injured in Italy in February.
The fourth son, Tech. Sgt. Robert V. Swale, 24, was killed in action in Italy March 31, the parents were advised recently by the War Department.
Robert enlisted in the national guard at Davenport Dec. 18, 1940, and after training at Camp Claiborne, La., Fort Dix, N. J., and Fort Bragg, N. C., went overseas in August, 1943.
Richard enlisted at the same time as Robert and was with his brother during early training, the brothers being separated at Fort Bragg, but going overseas in the same convoy and being stationed near each other most of the time. It has been learned that it was at the Anzio beachhead where Robert was killed, and that his brother made an effort to see him there, but was informed that funeral services had already been held.
Cpl. LeRoy Swale was inducted in May, 1940, and also sent to Camp Claiborne, where he was with Richard and Robert for early training.
The parents who have been residents of Montpelier the past 19 years, are both employed at the Rock Island arsenal.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, May 8, 1944 (photos of each brother included)
SWALE BROTHERS HOME TOGETHER
Montpelier—Three Swale brothers, Cpl LeRoy Swale of Charleston, S. C., Pvt. Richard Swale of Oklahoma and Pvt. Jack Swale of Florida enjoyed furloughs together at the home of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Swale and with their maternal grandmother, Mrs. Hannah Hess, of Montpelier, during the holiday season.
LeRoy and Richard Swale have served overseas, both having been injured in battle. Another brother, T/Sgt. Robert Swale, who enlisted at Davenport in December, 1940, was killed in action in Italy on March 31, 1944.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, January 10, 1945 (photos of the 3 brothers included)
Leroy John Swale was born Oct. 20, 1916 to William H. and Hazel May Hess Swale. He died Sept. 8, 2009 and is buried in Rock Island National Cemetery, Rock Island, IL.
Pvt. Swale served with the U.S. Army in World War II. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
Source: ancestry.com
