M1A1-1944 Posted October 30, 2014 Share #1 Posted October 30, 2014 Two days ago I came into possession of this amazing but very sad grouping. A friend at work knew I collected WWII memorabilia and asked if I would be interested in her grandfathers belongings. Her mother, this Marines daughter, is moving and came across these items which she had not looked at in years. The sad part, aside from his heroic death, is that she never knew him. He left for the service while his wife, her mother, was pregnant with her. She wanted it all to go to someone who would appreciate and care for it. He was KIA by enemy rifle fire on Iwo Jima, 1 March, 1945. Included is his dress jacket and pants (minus one collar insignia), medals and pins, pictures, year books, letters, his burial flag, and odds/ends. I know this is not completely uncommon, but also included is the western union telegram/envelope informing her of his death. There is also a letter from his commanding officer offering his sympathy and a few details of his death. All very sad. If anyone has any other information about Sgt. Richard B. Swartz USMCR, please share. Thanks for looking, Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1A1-1944 Posted October 30, 2014 Author Share #2 Posted October 30, 2014 ,, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1A1-1944 Posted October 30, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted October 30, 2014 // Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1A1-1944 Posted October 30, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted October 30, 2014 One other sad item, which she is making me a copy of, is a letter that she has framed and keeps at her bedside still to this day. It is a letter from her father, Sgt Richard B. Swartz, to her. He wrote that he hoped by the time she would be old enough to read the letter, she would know him well. Obviously that never came to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellasilva Posted October 31, 2014 Share #5 Posted October 31, 2014 Absolutely wonderful and sobering group..I am glad that it turned up in worthy hands and that you are obviously aware of its historical significance. Thank you so much for showing it.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brig Posted October 31, 2014 Share #6 Posted October 31, 2014 Very complete and somber group to a Marine who gave his all at Iwo Jima, glad it found its way to caring hands Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted October 31, 2014 Share #7 Posted October 31, 2014 RIP. ..Marine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raidercollector Posted October 31, 2014 Share #8 Posted October 31, 2014 Very nice iwo group, Pretty complete.You usually do not see them with the uniforms for some reason. Its in good hands. Get his file.Thanks for sharing. RIP Marine. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted October 31, 2014 Share #9 Posted October 31, 2014 wow, very nice. Looks like the PUC with two stars refers to his service on Saipan as well as Iwo Jima. Very nice KIA grouping. Thanks for sharing. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottplen Posted October 31, 2014 Share #10 Posted October 31, 2014 WOW !!!! outstanding group to a brave marine ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Posted October 31, 2014 Share #11 Posted October 31, 2014 Very sombering grouping indeed. Great way to display and honor this Marine's sacrifice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mes Posted October 31, 2014 Share #12 Posted October 31, 2014 An honor to be trusted to care for this Marines legacy by his daughter.Great grouping. RIP Marine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandy Posted October 31, 2014 Share #13 Posted October 31, 2014 Outstanding group!!! Thanks for your sharing. RIP Marine. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieony Posted October 31, 2014 Share #14 Posted October 31, 2014 A very poignant group. Thank you for keeping this Marine's memory alive. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted October 31, 2014 Share #15 Posted October 31, 2014 Outstanding group and all to common and sad experiance in WW2 leaving a wife and a child who never meets their father.What an honor and privilege to be the care taker of this group.Congratulations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted October 31, 2014 Share #16 Posted October 31, 2014 His MOS was 600, "Machine Gun Squad Leader." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Dentino Posted October 31, 2014 Share #17 Posted October 31, 2014 Nice group to a brave Marine that gave the ultimate sacrifice on bloody Iwo. Great that it will stay together and keep his memory alive. RIP Marine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted October 31, 2014 Share #18 Posted October 31, 2014 He was with 2/24 from the time it was established in 1943 so he would have fought with them at the Marshall Islands, Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima. He was with Fox Company on Iwo. He is buried in The Punchbowl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1A1-1944 Posted November 1, 2014 Author Share #19 Posted November 1, 2014 Thank you to all for the comments, and Bob for the added information. I'll post more pictures when I get it framed for display. It truly is an honor to preserve this veterans history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted November 1, 2014 Share #20 Posted November 1, 2014 Very poignant reminder of the true cost of war. You are fortunate to now be the caretaker of this Marine's memory. R.I.P. Sgt Swartz. Semper Fi.....Bobgee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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